
Karen Huger, the 61-year-old star of The Real Housewives of Potomac, is facing a potential prison sentence after being convicted on five charges related to a car accident in March. The charges, handed down on December 18, include DUI, negligent driving, failure to control speed to avoid a collision, and failing to update her address with authorities. Huger was cleared of reckless driving but could still face up to two years in jail.
This is not Huger’s first DUI conviction, and the verdict has left her disheartened. Through her lawyer, A. Scott Bolden, she expressed disappointment but pledged to appeal. “We respect the jury’s decision but intend to continue fighting for Mrs. Huger’s justice,” Bolden told People, asking for support and prayers for the reality star and her family.
The incident occurred on March 19 in Potomac, Maryland, when Huger’s car veered over a median and struck multiple street signs. No one was injured, and she was cited at the scene but not arrested. Huger later explained that she swerved to avoid another car, attributing her distracted state to emotional grief from losing both her parents in 2017.
“Grief comes in waves,” Huger said in a statement to TMZ, referencing her mother’s passing. “With Mother’s Day approaching, it felt like a tsunami. I was crying on my way home when I saw a car coming toward me.”
During the trial, more details about the accident surfaced. A witness testified that Huger smelled of alcohol, and a volunteer EMT claimed she appeared unsteady and shouted profanities at them. However, the jury also saw body cam footage of an officer stating that Huger was “hammered” at the scene, which painted a damning picture.
The case has been unfolding on season 9 of the Bravo show, drawing both sympathy and criticism. Former castmate Charrisse Jackson Jordan commented on Huger’s alleged drinking habits during a podcast appearance, describing her as “the old drunk Black lady” known for falling off barstools and chasing younger men.
If Huger is sentenced to jail, she’ll join a growing list of Bravo stars with legal troubles. Notable examples include The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice, who served 11 months for fraud, and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Jen Shah, currently serving a 6.5-year sentence for fraud.
Huger’s sentencing is set for January 29, where her fate will be decided. Until then, she continues to maintain her innocence and work toward an appeal.