Standing by her man! Melissa Gorga always rides hard for husband Joe Gorga. And she’s continuing to do so even after Joe was caught in a screaming match with a tenant who Joe claims hasn’t paid him rent in 4 years. But according to the Real Housewives of New Jersey veteran, she’s not the only one supporting Joe on the altercation.
Melissa told Page Six, “The amount of calls and texts we got that were so proud of him. They were like, ‘That man should pay his rent.'” She added, “I never want him to yell at anyone … but he actually got love, and people were proud that he stood up for [himself].”
Aside from the rent issue, Melissa claimed that the tenant “steals” packages and other delivers from the other tenants in the building that Joe owns. She stated, “He’s just not a good guy, so Joe did him a favor. The guy screwed him like he screws everyone else.”
Only a few days ago, Joe was caught on camera in a verbal altercation with his tenant. The viral video showed Joe screaming, “You had nowhere to live, and I gave you a f–king house. F–king loser, f–king loser, pay your f–king rent, a–hole.” He continued to rant, “Call me f–king Daddy, motherf–er, because I’ve been supporting you for four-and-a-half years.”
The tenant’s argument is that the state of New Jersey has been paying Joe under the COVID-19 relief program. Therefore, he only owes him since January. Which is still 6 months but obviously not the years that Joe is alleging. Also, why wouldn’t Joe evict him earlier if he hasn’t paid up over a year period? So many questions.
But Joe defended his comments, which also included accusing the tenant of selling drugs in the building. Said Joe, “I just don’t do well with people that don’t do the right thing in life and don’t hustle and don’t work and don’t try, and so I’m gonna stand by how I handled it.”
He went on to say that his “terrible, terrible” tenant owes him $89K and hasn’t paid his rent since 3 months into his lease. But Joe’s lawyer shared a different amount in back rent, saying the tenant owes Joe approximately $50K. He also acknowledged that Joe did collect $40K in COVID rental assistance from the state. But argued that the unpaid rent started before the assistance program.
Joe doubled down on his position after the blow up. He insisted, “It’s just an excuse to just beat the system. That’s why I’m upset. I just don’t do well with people that don’t do the right thing in life and don’t hustle and don’t work and don’t try, and so I’m gonna stand by how I handled it.”
TELL US – DO YOU THINK JOE HANDLED THE SITUATION PROPERLY? WHO DO YOU BELIEVE – JOE OR THE TENANT? WHY DIDN’T JOE KICK HIM OUT EARLIER?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
