Crime & Safety

Allegedly Fake ‘Housewives’ Lawyer Indicted

Indictment filed in Bergen County Superior Court alleged the Franklin Lakes resident misrepresented himself to Ridgewood police.

The man who allegedly presented himself in Ridgewood as an attorney for three “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast members was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday on the charge that he engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

On April 4, Mark J. McGuire, 53, of Franklin Lakes, “created or reinforced a false impression” to three Ridgewood police officers that he was a licensed attorney, according to the indictment filed in Bergen County Superior Court.

Ridgewood police arrested McGuire in September, the day of a scheduled court appearance by “Housewives” cast members Joe Gorga, Jacqueline Laurita and Chris Laurita.

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Police had been investigating allegations that the trio assaulted Paramus resident Johnny Karagiorgis at the opening of a village boutique in March.

Later in September, lawyers for the four parties agreed in Ridgewood Municipal Court to drop assault charges stemming from the incident.

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Karagiorgis has filed a civil suit seeking damages from the three cast members as well as the production companies behind the reality show.


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