The Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP) star Karen Huger has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of DUI.
According to Page Six, Huger, dubbed “The Grande Dame” on the Bravo show, learned her fate from Judge Terrence J McGann during a hearing in the Montgomery County Circuit Court on Wednesday (February 26).
She was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, meaning she will ultimately serve one year behind bars. She will also serve five years’ probation.
Huger—who was given 30 days to appeal the ruling and 90 days to request a reconsideration—reportedly got emotional while speaking to the judge at the sentencing.
“I understand better the brutal clarity of the fact that when you’re behind a car driving you’re not just driving for yourself,” the 61-year-old told the judge. “It’s my responsibility to make sure that my community members make it where they need to be safely.”
Before her sentencing, Judge McGann pointed out that the Bravolebrity had four previous driving violations dating back to 2006.
“Karen Huger certainly had the hang of working the system and all prior warning had gone in one ear and out the other,” McGann stated.
“Can we believe she has only driven while intoxicated four times in the last 17 years? What’s the guarantee she is done driving while drunk? Unfortunately, there is no guarantee,” he added.
Huger was arrested in March 2024 after crashing into a street sign just three miles from her house. She claimed she was driving home from dinner with a friend and that they were discussing a serious, emotional topic before the crash.
The reality TV star alleged that she was crying while driving and became distressed when a vehicle headed toward her, causing her to swerve and lose control.
However, bodycam footage from the scene told a different story. The video showed a visibly intoxicated Huger stumbling, slurring her words, and rambling incoherently about the Housewives franchise and her boss, Andy Cohen, to the arresting officer.
The mother of two was also caught on camera admitting she was “drunk as hell” and bizarrely referring to herself as “Thomas Jefferson’s concubine.” At one point, she even told an officer, “You’re white and poor,” during her interrogation.
Huger was charged with DUI, DWI, and six traffic violations related to negligent and reckless driving, speeding, driving with a suspended registration, and failing to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of a change of address within 30 days.
She was found guilty in December of all charges except reckless driving.
In January, a representative for the Bravo star revealed that she’d checked herself into a private recovery program in Florida after the Grand Dame was notably absent from the RHOP Season 9 reunion.
“Karen made the important decision to enter a private recovery program, so [she] was unable to attend the reunion taping,” the rep told the Daily Dish at the time.
“We stand behind Karen as she embarks on this meaningful journey and are proud of her for taking such a significant step forward in her personal growth.”
However, according to Page Six, the damage may already be done regarding her future with Bravo.
A source close to the reality star told the news outlet that Huger would “need to clean up her act” if she hopes to continue working with the network.
Huger has starred on “RHOP” since its debut season in 2016.
