Roxanne 
Jo-Ellen Tiberi is making waves on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, but her financial past is now coming back into focus.
According to court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Jo-Ellen filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on October 22, 2014. At the time, she reported total assets of $6,425 against liabilities of $61,849.34.
In the filing, she listed herself as unemployed and noted that she had a two week old son as her only dependent. Her reported income reflected significant financial strain in the years leading up to the filing. In 2012, she earned $28,262, which dropped to $21,889 in 2013. By 2014, her income through the filing date was just $5,555.66.
Her monthly income at the time was listed as $194, which came from SNAP benefits, while her monthly expenses totaled $1,375. This left a deficit of $1,181 each month.
The filing also detailed her limited assets, including $25 in cash, no money in her checking account, $200 in savings bonds, $5,000 in household goods, $1,000 in clothing, and $200 in costume jewelry.
One of the largest debts stemmed from the repossession of her 2013 BMW 328i xDrive sedan. The vehicle was repossessed in August 2014, and the remaining balance of $41,307.88 was included among her unsecured debts.
Additional debts included a $5,136.36 line of credit, a $210.47 overdraft, $3,860 on a credit card, $4,946 owed to a retailer, and $6,388.63 to a bank.
By mid 2015, the bankruptcy case was discharged and closed. Jo-Ellen later married her husband Gary Tiberi in 2016.
Her past financial situation has resurfaced as she becomes a central figure on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, particularly due to her ongoing feud with Rulla Nehme Pontarelli.
On the show, Jo-Ellen has said she first became aware of allegations involving Rulla’s husband after seeing information on social media. She later shared photos she found concerning with others in their circle, which contributed to the tension seen early in the season.
The situation escalated when Rulla confronted fellow cast members about rumors being spread. Rulla has since accused Jo-Ellen of amplifying the situation, while Jo-Ellen has maintained that she was simply sharing what she believed to be the truth.
As the season continues, both her on screen actions and past financial history are drawing attention as part of the broader conversation surrounding the new Bravo series.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island airs every Sunday at 8pm ET on Bravo.
