‘She was attacked, humiliated, and then billed’ – Teresa Giudice hit with $27,500 penalty after storming off WGN interview as leaked contract reveals she breached live segment terms and triggered explosive damages clause

She thought she was standing her ground — but now she’s paying the price.

Teresa Giudice has been hit with a $27,500 financial penalty after abruptly ending her now-viral interview with WGN Chicago, DailyMail+ can exclusively reveal. According to a leaked copy of the appearance agreement, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star breached contract terms when she “knowingly terminated the live segment without prior notice or technical justification,” triggering a “liquidated damages clause” built into the station’s guest media agreement.

The penalty, which sources say was levied within 48 hours of the on-air meltdown, has sparked internal chaos within Teresa’s camp — many of whom were unaware the clause even existed.

“This caught her team completely off guard,” a source close to the situation revealed. “They assumed walking off was a personal choice — they didn’t realize it came with a dollar sign attached.”

The WGN appearance — originally arranged to promote a local event tied to Teresa’s lifestyle brand — ended in disaster when anchor Larry Potash asked her, live on air, “How is it that a family doesn’t pay taxes for years?” Moments later, Teresa gave a tight-lipped “Thank you” and cut the feed.

Now, newly leaked documents obtained by DailyMail+ show that WGN had inserted a specific clause protecting the station against “live disruption, unauthorized termination, or reputational harm caused by abrupt guest exit.” The clause, buried on page four of the agreement, stipulates that any guest who terminates a live segment early without approval from the showrunner may be charged up to $30,000 in damages. Teresa’s final penalty was calculated at $27,500, factoring in “commercial disruption and reputational harm.”

In a shocking twist, the document also appears to show that Teresa’s management team had signed the agreement just two days before the segment aired, with no redlines or objections to the penalty clause.

Insiders say Teresa was “furious” when she learned of the fine — and believes she was set up.

“She feels like WGN goaded her into walking off, knowing damn well there was money on the line,” an insider told DailyMail+. “It wasn’t just a bad faith interview — it was a financial trap.”

A source inside Bravo, which had no direct involvement in the booking, said network executives are “deeply concerned” that the incident could set a precedent for punishing reality stars who protect their boundaries. “If this sticks, it sends a message that if a woman refuses to be ambushed on air, she’ll pay for it — literally.”

Meanwhile, fans have rallied around Teresa, launching an online petition calling the fine “predatory” and demanding WGN retract the fee. The petition reached over 35,000 signatures within 24 hours.

As of now, Teresa has not publicly commented on the fine, though her attorney has confirmed the team is “reviewing legal remedies” and may file a counterclaim.

“She was attacked, humiliated, and then billed for defending herself,” the source added. “This isn’t journalism — this is weaponized PR.”

More to come.