Earlier this week, Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger went on trial for a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, and reckless driving in willful disregard for the safety of persons and property, among other charges. (Naturally, the charges, which stemmed from an incident in March, have been a major plotline on the ninth season of the series currently airing on Bravo.) On Wednesday, Huger’s rep told People that the Real Housewife was found guilty on all counts, save for reckless driving. She is scheduled to be sentenced in January.
“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case,” A. Scott Bolden, Huger’s attorney, told People in a statement. “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”
Per the Montgomery County Police Department, Huger had been involved in a single-vehicle collision in Potomac on March 19. At the time, law enforcement said the reality star had been spotted driving her Maserati in “an aggressive manner,” crossing a median and striking street signs. During the trial, a volunteer EMT who’d been called to the scene the night of the incident testified that Huger had “swayed” as she stepped into the ambulance. She allegedly then told the EMT to “fuck off” and “go fuck yourselves,” shortly before telling a female firefighter she was “so beautiful.” Bodycam footage shown to the jury on Tuesday, and made public Wednesday night following the verdict, also showed an officer telling Huger she was “hammered,” to which the housewife responded, “Bullshit.”
In a March statement to TMZ, Huger attributed the incident to the loss of her parents, who died seven months apart in 2017. “With the passing of my Beloved Mother, Grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mother’s Day approaching it has felt more like a tsunami,” she said. “Last night I met a girlfriend for dinner, we talked and brought up some very emotionally sensitive topics. I was crying on my way home and saw a car heading right for me.”
“I swerved to avoid the head-on collision, hit the divider, and then a tree. I’m hurt, bruised up a bit, but so grateful I am alive!” she added. “I did receive citations, one of which was unrelated to the incident which is understandable, but what was most surprising is that the car that almost hit me just drove away!”
Though the incident took place while cameras were down, the DUI charge has played out on RHOP’s latest season. Known as the “Grand Dame of Potomac” — a nickname she relayed to an officer on the scene in March, saying “they call me the ‘Grand Dame’ … Andy Cohen did that” — Huger has been a fan favorite and a well-respected cast member since she joined the franchise in its first season in 2016. Sadly, Huger’s dame status looks up for debate as this saga drags on.
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