Trump White House aide admits cocaine relapse in plea for deported reality star’s second chance

A senior White House official with longstanding ties to "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice is addressing whether her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, deserves a second chance, while emphasizing that any presidential pardon decision rests solely with President Donald Trump .

Lynne Patton, deputy assistant to the president for coalition policy and engagement, took to Instagram to explain why Teresa Giudice and her daughter, Gia Giudice, were invited to the White House for Columbus Day and Italian American heritage celebrations.

Patton's comments about Joe, who was deported to Italy after serving time for fraud-related offenses, also addressed the family's efforts to secure a presidential pardon. ‘RHONJ’ ALUM JOE GIUDICE SAYS HE SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN DEPORTED AFTER FRAUD CONVICTION Patton emphasized that she has no authority over presidential pardons but offered a personal message about redemption and second chances.

"For those inquiring @teresagiudice and her daughter, @_giagiudice, were at the White House at the invitation of the President & First Lady in honor of Columbus Day & Italian-American heritage.

I have known Teresa and her family, including @joe.giudice, for nearly two decades," Patton began her post.

"I’ve attended family gatherings at their former New Jersey homes where Joe taught me how to roll meatballs & Teresa’s beloved father once showed me how to make his famous homemade wine.

I am not in charge of pardons.

Nor do I decide who receives them." She added, "That is the President’s sole decision based upon recommendations from the White House Pardon Czar, @alicemariefree, and White House Counsel." Patton then shared her own experience with addiction and the second chance she said the Trump family gave her.

Patton said she relapsed into cocaine addiction while working at the Trump Organization in 2013, crediting Eric Trump and Lara Trump with staging an intervention that she said saved her life.

Her experience, she said, shaped her belief in second chances.

"To date, I have been drug-free for 13 years.

They could have fired me.

But instead, they told me that I was worth saving.

Even when I didn’t believe that myself.