‘RHONJ’ Star John Fuda Was Arrested for VIOLENT Home Invasion in 2008

‘RHONJ’ Star John Fuda Was Arrested for VIOLENT Home Invasion in 2008

Real Housewives of New Jersey star John Fuda’s criminal past has come back into the spotlight with reports of a violent home invasion he was involved in back in 2008. This new revelation has sparked intense scrutiny from fans questioning the true reasons behind his decision to change his last name.

According to the Herald News, back in November 2008, John Fuda, husband of Real Housewives of New Jersey newcomer Rachel Fuda was involved in a shocking home invasion in Clifton, New Jersey — resulting in five individuals being bound with duct tape at gunpoint. Authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the crime but believe that additional individuals are still at large.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. when seven people arrived at an apartment on Portland Avenue in two cars. According to Clifton Police Detective Captain Robert Rowan, the group included two 24-year-old roommates who were hosting three female guests. As three of the intruders stood guard outside, the remaining four burst into the apartment, wielding firearms and forcibly entering the premises.

The suspects reportedly ordered the five victims to lie on the kitchen floor, where they were restrained with duct tape. The assailants then demanded that one of the male residents reveal the location of a stash of drugs and money. When the victim failed to comply, the victim was allegedly pistol-whipped and beaten while lying on the floor.

Following the assault, the suspects ransacked the apartment, making off with cellphones, $400 in cash, and various pieces of jewelry. Authorities quickly responded to the situation, and shortly thereafter, Passaic police stopped a black Nissan Frontier containing the three arrested men. Inside the vehicle, police discovered the stolen cellphone and gold watch from the victims, as well as black knit caps and a ski mask.

The arrested suspects include Jonathan Datria (aka John Fuda), 20, of Elmwood Park, Shameik Byrd, 18, and Ojuku Boons, 27, both of Passaic. They face multiple charges including robbery, theft, and unlawful possession of a firearm and drugs. The trio was held in the Clifton municipal lockup on a $250,000 bail, with no option for a 10 percent reduction.

As reported, John Fuda’s troubled past involved drug dealing. Before gaining fame on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, John was heavily involved in criminal activities, including selling cocaine, according court records. 

John Fuda defended himself against online scrutiny. Fans of Teresa Giudice, whom John refers to as “Tre Stumps,” have been digging into his past, particularly focusing on his criminal history.

John, 35, addressed the allegations exclusively with Page Six, clarifying misinformation about his 2008 arrest for operating a motor vehicle while in possession of a narcotic. “I was never convicted and charges were dismissed,” Fuda asserts. He expressed frustration with the way some online critics have twisted this information to suggest it was the reason for his name change.

John, whose birth name is Jonathan D’Atria, explains that his past legal troubles have no bearing on his current surname. “My last name is Fuda because after my parents’ divorce, when I was a baby, my mother had immense support from her side of the family,” he says. “My grandfather was a huge part of our lives, and the father figure in mine. My mother even received a call from Paramus school one day asking her to correct my signature; I always wrote ‘Jonathan Fuda’ on my papers.”

He continues, “I was aware that my ‘last name was actually D’Atria’ as a kid, but I formally changed it to Fuda in 2016—legally transitioning from Jonathan Ross D’Atria to Jonathan D’Atria Fuda.” He explains that his decision to adopt the Fuda surname was made to honor Joseph Fuda before marrying Rachel in January 2017.

John also directly addresses Giudice and her followers, whom he dubs “Tre Stumps.” He questions, “If I wanted to hide my past, why did I make my former last name my middle name?” He emphasizes that he is “not ashamed of mistakes [he] made as a kid” and remains grateful for the support he has received since then.

Now a father of three and the founder of Fuda Tile and Marble, John reflects on his past with a sense of gratitude. “Some kids just need extra guidance, and I’m glad to have learned from being a kid, and have a beautiful family and business now,” he says.

John shares two young daughters, Gianella and Giuliana, with Rachel, 31, who recently legally adopted his 16-year-old son, Jaiden. The adoption process, which was featured in the latest season of “RHONJ,” has led Jaiden’s incarcerated birth mother, Brittany Malsch, to make public statements about the family. Jaiden, who has no contact with Malsch, expressed his frustration with her public comments. “I’m annoyed by [Malsch] making this public. My parents made a strong effort not to talk about her shortcomings or bash her,” he tells Page Six. “I have no feelings of anger or animosity toward her; she’s like a stranger to me.”

Real Housewives of New Jersey airs on Sundays, at 8:00 pm ET, on Bravo.

 

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