The upcoming sentencing for Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and husband Joe Giudice could mean bad news for fans of the show.

According to an exclusive story by gossip site RadarOnline, the hearing for the Giudices will likely cause the next season’s premiere episode to be delayed.

What’s the reason for denying fans of the New Jersey-based reality television drama? The gossip site claims that it’s all about the legal shenanigans surrounding this Italian family.

“Obviously, Teresa is going to be a key character in the upcoming season,” an insider told Radar. The source claims that Bravo is going to do what it can to “maximize” Teresa Giudice’s exposure in light of the fraud scandal.

Said the insider, “Having Teresa available to do press interviews and promotions is essential.”

UH OH! This is bad news for Teresa Giudice: [http://t.co/j28HPeZvad] #RHONJ

— Real Housewives BH (@RHOBHWetpaint) April 26, 2014

No doubt Giudice will be happy with the money that comes with such promo work since it’s reported that her family has been struggling financially.

Previous book and promo sales were said to have not been doing well because of the legal scandal.

Teresa and Joe Giudice both pled guilty to multiple counts of fraud in relation to millions of dollars they acquired over the years through questionable bank loans. Somehow the pair lucked out into only having to pay back about $7,500.

Still, there is jail time likely to be served by the Giudices. In the case of Joe Giudice, deportation remains a possibility.

A number of television viewers are outraged at the plea agreement, which many see as a mere slap on the wrist despite the serious charges against them.

Will reality TV fans be too outraged to tune into the new season of Real Housewives of New Jersey?

Bravo is apparently pulling out all the stops in the hopes that this won’t be the case.

With my baby girl Gia at Leanna's Bat Mitzvah… pic.twitter.com/Of565ROhAM

— Teresa Giudice (@Teresa_Giudice) April 27, 2014

Image via YouTube