Dolores Catania is weighing in on Gia Giudice’s fight to get dad Joe Giudice pardoned.
“He did his time and she paid every dime of what he owed. Every single dime. And it was a lot of money. It was years of working and paying. It was a lot,” Catania, 54, said on the Tuesday, July 8, episode of iHeart Radio’s “Two T’s in a Pod” podcast, referring to Joe’s ex-wife, Teresa Giudice.
She continued, “I give her credit. I think she got behind on her own, if anybody really wants to know the truth, because she was so busy paying that and raising four girls and being a single mom. She did her best and she served time and he served his time. Listen, I would love to see every family be together, however that has to be. It’s not our call.”
Catania praised Joe for being a “good dad,” noting that he is “very hands on.” She added, “They’re crazy for their father.” (Joe and Teresa, both 53, share daughters Gia, 24, Gabriella, 20, Milania, 19 and Audriana, 15.)
Gia Giudice Asks President Trump to Pardon Dad Joe Giudice
Teresa and Joe filed for bankruptcy in 2009, citing an $11 million debt. Five years later, the pair entered a guilty plea to 41 counts of fraud and served time behind bars. In 2019, Joe was deported to Italy, and the twosome divorced after 20 years of marriage. He now resides in the Bahamas, which Catania noted is “easy to get to” — but said it’s “not the same.”
On Friday, July 4, Gia narrated a video of herself writing a letter to President Donald Trump after he pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley in May.
“Hey, guys, my name is Gia Giudice,” she said in the Instagram upload. “I’m the daughter of Joe Giudice, and today I’m using my voice for something deeply personal. My dad was deported over four years ago. Since then, our family has lived in an emotional limbo. No matter how strong we try to be in the absence of a father, of a parent, it’s something that never stops hurting.”
She continued, “Growing up, my dad was present at every cheer competition, every dance recital, holiday. He was our provider. Our protector. And he still is, just now from thousands of miles away.”
Teresa Giudice Supports Ex-Husband Joe as He Asks for Presidential Pardon
Gia noted that the Chrisleys receiving a “second chance” gave her inspiration. (Todd, now 56, and Julie, now 52, were convicted on charges including tax evasion and bank and wire fraud in 2022. They have maintained their innocence and were released early from their sentences in May by Trump, 79.)
“It showed me that people can be forgiven, that families could be restored and that sometimes the justice system has room for grace. That gave me hope. Hope that maybe my dad could come home too,” Gia said, noting that she “deeply misses” Joe. “We are not asking for sympathy. We are asking for a second chance. So, let’s bring Joe home together. President Donald J. Trump, I really hope you receive these character letters about my dad, Joe Giudice. Love you guys, bye.”
Joe, for his part, publicly asked Trump for a pardon in June and noted that he wants to see his daughters.
