Real crimes committed by Real Housewives
Getty Images The cast members of Bravo's Real Housewives franchise are known for their sensational drama on-screen, but many find even more trouble off camera. From fraud and theft to assault and even murder accusations, check out the rap sheets on these reality stars.
Joshua Waring
Getty Images Joshua Waring, the troubled son of former The Real Housewives of Orange County star Lauri Peterson, was arrested in June 2016 on suspicion of attempted murder. According to the Los Angeles Times, police allege Waring, 27, shot a 35-year-old man in the lower torso around 2:30 a.m. at the man's home. "Apparently there had been a previous confrontation between [Waring] and the occupants of that residence earlier, and he had returned," police told the Times.
Authorities reportedly apprehended Waring—who has been arrested numerous times over the years—following an intense police chase. He was booked on "suspicion of attempted murder, vehicle theft, felony evading police, hit-and-run and assault and battery," according to the Times. Bail was set at $1 million.
The shooting victim was expected to survive, the Times reported.
Teresa and Joe Giudice
Getty Images The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa and Joe Giudice were sentenced to 15 and 41 months in prison, respectively, in 2014 after being indicted on mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud charges. The couple served consecutive sentences to allow one parent to care for their four children. Teresa was released from prison in December 2015, and Joe began his tenure about three months later. Upon release, Joe could face deportation because he is not a U.S. citizen.
Danielle Staub
Getty Images The criminal past of Danielle Staub, also of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, was exposed in 2009 during the show's infamous first season. According to court documents obtained by The Smoking Gun, Staub was allegedly involved in a drug deal gone wrong in 1986 and charged with eight felonies, including extortion and cocaine possession. Staub reportedly cooperated with the FBI and wound up getting sentenced to five years probation.
Kim Richards
Getty Images 2015 was a rough year for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kim Richards. In October, she was sentenced to 300 hours of community service, three years probation, and 52 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after allegedly trying to steal more than $600 worth of items from a Target in Los Angeles. She was also ordered to "continue treatment and follow recommendations for treatment including drug rehabilitation, therapy and medications," according to People magazine.
That sentence came just one month after Richards accepted a plea deal stemming from her public intoxication arrest at the Beverly Hills Hotel in April. For that incident, she received three years summary probation, 52 weeks of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and 30 days of community labor, according to People. She was also ordered to stay away from the hotel.
Sonja Morgan
Getty Images Shortly after joining The Real Housewives of New York City in 2010, Sonja Morgan was arrested and booked on charges of driving while intoxicated after allegedly blowing a stop sign in Southampton, NY. According to the New York Post, Morgan "failed a series of sobriety tests" after she was pulled over. When she refused to take a Breathalyzer test, police arrested her and booked her on DWI charges. The arrest occurred the same year Morgan filed for bankruptcy, claiming she was nearly $20 million in the red.
Porsha Williams
Getty Images The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams turned herself in to police in April 2014 after being charged with a misdemeanor count of simple battery. The charge stemmed from a physical altercation that went down between her and co-star Kenya Moore during a taping of the show's reunion special.
"It was the worst day of my life," Williams told host Andy Cohen on an episode of Watch What Happens Live. "I'd never done anything in my life to end me up in a jail and have to get a mug shot. For me to have to be there because of Kenya Moore literally was the worst moment of my life."
Williams was also arrested in December 2014 for allegedly going 78 mph in a 55 mph zone. Police said she was driving on a suspended license at the time of her arrest, according to TMZ. She was released on $1,726 bail.
Apollo Nida
Getty Images Apollo Nida, the husband of The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks, was sentenced to eight years in prison in July 2014 for his involvement in a fraud scheme that allegedly stole millions of dollars from more than 50 people, reported CNN.
According to TMZ, Nida set up fake companies that granted him access to databases from which he stole people's identities. "He then allegedly opened fake bank accounts in the names of the victims and then somehow got hold of stolen U.S. Treasury checks, stolen retirement checks from Delta Airline employees and checks that were supposed to go to people who had unclaimed tax money," reported TMZ. Nida—who had previously spent five years in a federal prison for auto title fraud—allegedly laundered more than $2.3 million during the scheme, TMZ said.
Nida was reportedly transferred to maximum security in 2016 after getting caught with a smuggled cell phone.
Kelly Bensimon
Getty Images The Real Housewives of New York City star Kelly Bensimon was arrested and charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault in March 2009 following an alleged physical altercation with her then-boyfriend, Nick Stefanov. The NYPD told People she was charged with misdemeanor assault "for punching her fiancé in the face, and [she] gave him a laceration under his left eye." It's unclear what triggered the altercation, which reportedly left Bensimon "upset and embarrassed." She accepted a plea deal and completed two days of community service, reported OK Magazine.
Dana Wilkey
Getty Images In March 2016, former The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dana Wilkey (the one who wore sunglasses allegedly worth $25,000) reached a plea agreement after being indicted by the FBI with "conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aiding and abetting, and [making] false statements to government agents," according to Radar Online. Wilkey allegedly wrote checks worth about $360,000 in "illegal and undisclosed kickbacks" through her company, Adwil Agency, said Radar. She reportedly faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire and conspiracy count.