The Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger has been sentenced after she was found guilty in her DUI trial.
According to Fox 5 DC, a judge ordered the Bravo reality star, 61, to one year in jail. She was facing two years behind bars as this wasn’t her first DUI. (Huger’s official sentence is two years in jail with one year suspended, meaning she will be incarcerated for one year.)
“You were filled to the gills with alcohol,” the judge reportedly told Huger, who is expected to begin her sentence immediately.
Huger appeared in court with her husband, Ray, by her side on Wednesday, February 26.
Prior to the sentencing, Huger addressed the situation in a pre-taped video that aired at the RHOP reunion.
“No, I’m not an alcoholic, let’s be clear,” she said. “This is very frightening but I accept full responsibility for everything that went on with my car accident. I don’t care about me right now. I care about my children, I care about my family. They are so hurt.”
Not long after making the video, Huger checked in treatment to center to “get to the bottom” of “taking antidepressants and drinking.” During Wednesday’s sentencing, Huger’s attorney said the “overuse of prescription medicine is what caused the accident.”
After being involved in a March 2024 car accident, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle.
In December 2024, Huger was found guilty on nearly all charges. (She was found not guilty of recklessly driving.)
“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case,” Huger’s attorney, A. Scott Bolden, told People in a statement at the time. “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.”
While Huger maintained her innocence throughout filming season 9 of The Real Housewives of Potomac, police body cam footage led some costars to question her actions.
Since Huger was found guilty, several of her costars have expressed their opinions on the case.
“I always knew she was guilty,” Mia Thornton said during the January 26 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “Sorry, I did. It’s very, very sad. I really feel like if she would have just owned up to what she did, then we would not know.”
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As for Gizelle Bryant, who helped launch The Real Housewives of Potomac with Huger in 2016, the thought of seeing her costar and friend behind bars is upsetting.
“I mean, do I want to see her go to jail? Absolutely not. But do I want to see her take accountability? For sure,” Bryant, 54, exclusively told Us Weekly on February 3. “So, I don’t know. I mean, Karen going to jail? That would break my heart. So we’ll see.”
The Real Housewives of Potomac airs on Bravo Sundays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.
