Reality Stars Who’ve Been to Prison: Teresa Giudice, Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino and More

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Reality Stars Who've Been to Prison: Teresa Giudice, Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino and More

Stars in lockup. Plenty of reality TV personalities have faced legal trouble over the years, but only a handful have served time for their crimes. Teresa Giudice and her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, both spent time behind bars after they were convicted on fraud charges in 2015. The Turning the Tables author served 11 months at Danbury Federal Correctional Institution in Connecticut before being released in December 2015. Joe, for his part, spent three years in prison and was deported to Italy following his March 2019 release. “The girls are really upset. You know, it’s hard for them," Teresa said during a Good Morning America interview in November 2018. "Adults can handle anything. It’s hard for children to go through this. They’re asking themselves, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ Like, ‘I want my daddy to come home.’” [jwplayer f1Cln7OU-zhNYySv2] The former couple, who wed in 1999, share four daughters: Gia (born in 2001), Gabriella (born in 2004), Melania (born in 2006) and Audriana (born in 2009). After Joe was deported, he and Teresa called it quits, finalizing their divorce in September 2020. Teresa has since offered advice for other reality stars facing time in prison, including Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisley. After the Chrisley Knows Best alums were convicted of tax fraud in June 2022 and sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star shared her thoughts on the situation. “Stand strong for their family and manifest while being in prison what they want when they come out," the Ultimate Girls Trip veteran told TMZ in December 2022 when asked whether she had any words of wisdom to share with the Chrisleys. "And just to be strong for their children.” The Bravo personality, however, didn't have much to say when it came to her fellow Housewife Jen Shah's legal drama. After the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison, Teresa said she "can't relate" to the Utah native's situation. "I wouldn't steal anybody's money," the cookbook author said during a January 2023 episode of her "Namaste Namaste B$tches" podcast. "I would not do that. I would never do that. That's so bad." Shah, who is set to begin serving her sentence in February 2023, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2022. After she changed her initial not guilty plea, the judge dropped a second charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering. During her sentencing hearing, the former marketing pro apologized to her husband, Sharrieff Shah and their sons. “I am profoundly and deeply sorry,” she told her family. “Reality TV has nothing to do with reality.” Keep scrolling to see which reality stars have served time over the years:

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Jen Shah

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star reported to FPC Bryan in Texas in February 2023 after being sentenced to 78 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The Bravo personality pleaded guilty in July 2022 after initially pleading not guilty following her March 2021 arrest. 

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Todd Chrisley

The Georgia native was sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 2022 after he and Julie were convicted of tax evasion, bank and wire fraud and conspiracy. He began serving his sentence at FPC Pensacola minimum security facility in Florida in January 2023. 

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Julie Chrisley

The former USA Network personality was sentenced to seven years in prison after she and Todd were convicted on fraud charges. She turned herself in at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, in January 2023. 

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Teresa Giudice

The Standing Strong author served 11 months in prison after her 2014 conviction for fraud. In 2015, Bravo aired a three-part special on the aftermath of her conviction and sentence titled Teresa Checks In. 

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Joe Giudice

The RHONJ star was sentenced to 41 months in prison for fraud. After his March 2019 release, he was deported to his native Italy. 

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Josh Duggar

The 19 Kids and Counting alum was sentenced to 151 months in prison after he was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography in December 2021. He is set to be released from FCI Seagoville in Texas on August 12, 2032. 

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Jerry Harris

In July 2022, the former Cheer star was sentenced to 12 years in prison for illegal sexual conduct with a minor and soliciting child sexual abuse imagery. 

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Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino

The Jersey Shore star was sentenced to eight months in prison in October 2018 after pleading guilty to tax evasion. Sorrentino served his time at FCI Otisville in New York and was released in September 2019. 

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Abby Lee Miller

The former Dance Moms star was sentenced to one year in prison in 2017 after pleading guilty to felony bankruptcy fraud. She was released in May 2018. 

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Richard Hatch

The Survivor season 1 winner was sentenced to 51 months in 2006 after he was convicted of tax evasion. Following his 2009 release, he served an additional nine months in prison in 2011 for failing to amend his 2000 and 2001 tax returns. 

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Amber Portwood

The Teen Mom star was sentenced to five years in prison in 2012 after failing to complete a court-ordered drug program. She was released 17 months into her sentence in November 2013.