REAL Housewives of New Jersey alum Joe Giudice’s former business partner has claimed he is still owed nearly $1million 16 years later.
The former reality star's ex-business partner was brought up during the explosive RHONJ reunion part two, which aired on June 6.
Joe Giudice's former business partner claimed the reality star and his ex-wife owes him nearly $1millionCredit: AP
Teresa Giudice was named in the 2007 lawsuit alleging she 'forged' mortgage documentsCredit: Bravo
Joe Mastropole, the real estate broker who sued the Giudices, spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun after his name was brought up in the RHONJ ReunionCredit: Realtor.com
Sisters-in-laws turned enemies Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice got into a heated argument - one of many - over Melissa's alleged involvement in the Giudices ending up in jail.
The Envy by MG founder slammed the Namaste B$tches co-host's claims: "What, do you think we were hanging out with an ex-partner of Joe? How do we even know him?"
The ex-partner, Joe Mastropole, defended Melissa in a new interview with The U.S. Sun, in which he revealed he's "never met her" and "wouldn't recognize her" if he bumped into her.
Now, the New Jersey-based real estate broker has updated The U.S. Sun about his relationship with Joe and Teresa Giudice following his 2007 mortgage fraud lawsuit.
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At the time, Joe accused them of forging his name on mortgage documents to pocket $1million.
The case was settled a few months after the filing, but then it was reopened a year later after a NJ judge ordered the Giudices to pay Joe $260,000.
In August 2013, the realtor spoke with the DailyMail saying that he didn't receive any of the money he was owed.
'I GOT ZERO'
Now, about 16 years later, Joe is claiming he never received any of the money the Giudices "stole" from him.
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"I got nothing [back]! I got zero," Joe Mastropole alleged to The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview.
"I lost $980,000 and another $300,000 in attorney's fees, so it cost me a million dollars."
He continued: "They owe me $980K. I put up the money for the three properties [they rented out] and I never got nothing."
The Real Housewives stars filed for bankruptcy with nearly $14 million in debt in 2009.
Fast-forward to March 2014, after years of ongoing court battles, the Giudices pleaded guilty to several counts of fraud, including bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and failing to pay taxes.
Teresa then served 11 months out of her 15-month sentence, followed by her husband serving 41 months. He was released in March 2019.
Joe told The U.S. Sun: "They screwed me, I didn't screw them.
"And I didn't really put them in jail. I went to the bankruptcy hearing just to protect my interest.
"I didn't want to put them in jail, I just wanted my money!"
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Teresa and Joe Giudice's reps for comment.
BACK TO COURT?
The now 67-year-old NJ native claims that he's a "survivor" after everything he's went through with the Giudices and the court.
When asked if he would take them back to court to get the $980K back, he told The U.S. Sun it's not something he would do.
"Nah, I give up. They ruined my life already," Joe shared.
"I had five strokes and my mother lost her house because of them."
He added: "I'm getting older. I don't need the aggravation.
"I don't want another stroke... I want to live in peace, that's all."
Meanwhile, after her split from her ex, Teresa married her now-husband Luis Ruelas in August.
They're now living in a $3.4million seven-bedroom mansion.
The U.S. Sun previously reported that the reality star owes over $1million in unpaid NJ taxes after being hit with a new $17K lien.
JOE'S APPEAL
As for Joe, after being deported to Italy, he has since moved to the Bahamas where his and Teresa's four daughters frequently visit him.
The Worldwide Charter Tours founder is currently working with an immigration attorney in hopes of returning to the U.S.
Joe's former business partner shared his thoughts on Joe's return.
"I don't give a shit what he does. He should be ashamed of himself," Joe told The U.S. Sun.
"I'm surprised he don't call me up and at least tell me he's sorry.
"He screwed my life, my mother's life and took all my money.
"Come on, man. Don't you have any heart?"
LUIS' INVESTIGATION
The U.S. Sun previously broke the news that Teresa's new husband Luis' business, Digital Media Solutions, is now being investigated.
The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that DMS has been hit with a series of lawsuits accusing the company of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act regarding unwanted telemarketing calls.
Juanita Williams filed a class action lawsuit against Digital Media Solutions and Choice Health Insurance LLC in May 2023, per the docs.
The lawsuit read: “Plaintiff and all members of the Class, defined below, have been harmed by the acts of Defendants because their privacy has been violated and they were annoyed and harassed."
Digital Media Solutions has not yet responded to the ongoing lawsuit.
Joe Mastropole, for his part, claimed he has "no idea" who Luis is.
"I don't know the guy, never heard of the guy, never met the guy. I know nothing," he told The U.S. Sun.
In another turn of events, Luis' ex-fiancée, Vanessa Reiser, has filed a restraining order against Luis claiming he hired a private investigator to "stalk her."
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According to Page Six, Vanessa, a New Jersey-based licensed therapist specializing in narcissistic abuse, claimed she recently discovered that one of her female patients was likely hired to "spy" on her and asked about her past relationship with Luis every therapy session.
The RHONJ Reunion continues on June 13 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Even though Joe and Teresa served their prison sentences, Joe Mastropole told The U.S. Sun that he preferred they paid him the money he's owedCredit: Getty
Teresa's husband Luis' company, Digital Media Solutions, is currently being investigatedCredit: Instagram / Luis Ruelas
