Over the years, multiple Real Housewives stars have been placed under arrest. While the network has tried to keep most of its cast free of a rap sheet, sometimes a few fall through the cracks. Thus, below is a recap of which Bravo stars have worn handcuffs and have themselves a mugshot.
The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Karen Huger
On December 18, Karen Huger’s two-day trial came to an end after she was found guilty. The 61-year-old had crashed her Maserati in March and was charged with driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and driving while under the influence of alcohol. She also was booked with negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property. Karen was found guilty on all charges except reckless driving. The Real Housewives of Potomac star is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Jen Shah
Jen Shah was pulled over on the side of the road while filming Season 3 and arrested in 2021. Consequently. she was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In a press release by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss, fans learned, “Jennifer Shah, who portrays herself as a wealthy and successful businessperson on ‘reality’ television, and Stuart Smith, who is portrayed as Shah’s ‘first assistant,’ allegedly generated and sold ‘lead lists’ of innocent individuals for other members of their scheme to repeatedly scam.” Jen was accused of defrauding hundreds of elderly victims. On July 11, 2022, Jen pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six and a half years in jail.
The Real Housewives of New York’s Leah McSweeney
Even though Leah McSweeney is no longer with Bravo, she was arrested back in 2002 after an incident outside Hammerstein Ballroom. She once told People she and her boyfriend had been pulled apart during a kiss. “I felt him being pulled away from me, and there was five police officers beating him up,” recalled Leah. “It was really scary. And I had a half-empty plastic water bottle with me, and I threw it — not even directly at someone; I just threw it in that direction. It was just a total knee-jerk reaction. But it hit a cop in the back.”
The mother of one added, “He turned around and lunged at me and punched me in the face. I just felt so many knees on my back. And one of them slammed my face into the subway grates and knocked my tooth out.” Leah sued the city and was paid $75,000 that she used to start her business, Married to the Mob.
The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Gina Kirschenheiter
While going through her divorce with Matt Kirschenheiter, the RHOC’s Gina Kirschenheiter was arrested in February 2019 on drunk driving charges. Just four months later, Matt was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. During the Season 14 episode, Gina told the cameras, “I was really scared. I ran out of the house, and I rang my neighbor’s doorbell, and I was banging on the door. And he dragged me back in the house. A lot of the neighbors heard. They all called the police and then the cops came, they arrested him It was scary. It was really scary.”
The Real Housewives of New York’s Luann de Lesseps
The Bravoverese has never forgotten the day that Luann de Lesseps was arrested in 2017. While in Palm Beach, she reportedly attacked a police officer. The countess was charged with disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer, resisting arrest with violence, and threatening a public servant. Lu avoided any jail time after agreeing to a plea deal. She was also placed on one-year probation and had to complete 50 hours of community service and attend AA meetings.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice
If viewers learned anything from Teresa Giudice, it would be to read everything that is put in front of you. Tre had one of the most serious arrests for the network as she and her ex, Joe Giudice, were indicted on federal fraud charges. In July 2013, both were charged in a 39-count indictment that included conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud. In 2014, Teresa was found guilty and sentenced to 15 months behind bars. Joe was given 41 months and deported to Italy after he was released from ICE custody.
The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Shannon Beador
In September 2023, TMZ confirmed that Shannon Beador was arrested by the Newport Beach Police Department “after fleeing the scene from a collision that caused property damage.” The mother of three was booked on two misdemeanors — hit and run and DUI alcohol. The video showed Shannon crashing into a home and trying to flee the scene by pretending to walk her dog, Archie, who was in the car at the time. The Real Housewives of Orange County star was sentenced to three years of probation and 40 hours of community service. The Real for Real founder was also required to complete a nine-month alcohol program. Shannon was also responsible for paying the restitution for the house damage from the incident. Despite all of this, she continues to drink during filming.
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