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Apollo Nida, husband of Phaedra Parks from "Real Housewives of Atlanta," was sentenced on July 8 to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release "for conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud" according the States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. Nida, who also appeared on the show, was accused of participating in a scheme in which fraudulent collection agencies were formed to commit identity theft and launder stolen checks.
HLNtv.com reports that former "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Bethenny Frankel testified in court May 28 in New York City. Frankel is in a custody battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy for their 4-year-old daughter, Bryn. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2012 Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit in 2012 over her popular Skinnygirl Cocktail brand after a management company accused her of cutting them out of the lucrative deal when she sold her company." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto002" width="640"/>HLNtv.com reports that former "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Bethenny Frankel testified in court May 28 in New York City. Frankel is in a custody battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy for their 4-year-old daughter, Bryn. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2012 Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit in 2012 over her popular Skinnygirl Cocktail brand after a management company accused her of cutting them out of the lucrative deal when she sold her company.
pleaded guilty March 4 to multiple federal fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and lying on mortgage and loan applications. TMZ reported that the pair had a lavish lifestyle that includes $13 million in debt." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto003" width="640"/>You can reportedly add major debt to Teresa and Joe Giudice's legal issues. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" couple pleaded guilty March 4 to multiple federal fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and lying on mortgage and loan applications. TMZ reported that the pair had a lavish lifestyle that includes $13 million in debt.
not paying a balance of more than $1 million. Leakes denied the accusation on her Twitter account." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto004" width="640"/>NeNe Leakes recently remarried her ex-husband Gregg Leakes, and the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" stars are being accused by their wedding planner of not paying a balance of more than $1 million. Leakes denied the accusation on her Twitter account.
sued by the bank that held their mortgage on accusations of missing payments. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member has also been accused of owing state taxes." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto005" width="640"/>Jacqueline Laurita and her husband, Chris, were sued by the bank that held their mortgage on accusations of missing payments. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member has also been accused of owing state taxes.
"Today" called it the "battle of the bulge" when Heather Thomson was sued in March 2013 by Spanx over her brand of Yummie Tummie shapewear." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto006" width="640"/>"Today" called it the "battle of the bulge" when Heather Thomson was sued in March 2013 by Spanx over her brand of Yummie Tummie shapewear.
when a $250,000 breach of contract suit against her was dismissed in July 2013. But boyfriend Brooks Ayers didn't fare so well in the case, which accused Gunvalson of giving Ayers a percentage of a vodka business without informing her business partner. The portion of the suit against Ayers was not dismissed." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto007" width="640"/>"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Vicki Gunvalson dodged a legal bullet when a $250,000 breach of contract suit against her was dismissed in July 2013. But boyfriend Brooks Ayers didn't fare so well in the case, which accused Gunvalson of giving Ayers a percentage of a vodka business without informing her business partner. The portion of the suit against Ayers was not dismissed.
financial troubles of cast member Sonja Morgan. She blamed it partially on a $7 million judgment entered against her over a failed movie project she was producing." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto008" width="640"/>"Real Housewives of New York" dealt a great deal with the financial troubles of cast member Sonja Morgan. She blamed it partially on a $7 million judgment entered against her over a failed movie project she was producing.
released a statement denying the claims." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto009" width="640"/>"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak was accused of being tardy with the money in March 2013 by fellow cast member Kandi Burruss and producer Don Vito. The pair accused her of denying them payment and rights to her single "Tardy for the Party." Zolciak released a statement denying the claims.
allegedly punching her then-boyfriend. That same year, she was accused in a suit of copying a jewelry design." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0010" width="640"/>Kelly Bensimon of the "Real Housewives of New York" was arrested in 2009 for allegedly punching her then-boyfriend. That same year, she was accused in a suit of copying a jewelry design.
was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after an ongoing legal battle with a man who claimed to have had a secret relationship with her. When Jay Photoglou sued her for libel and slander, Rossi countered with accusations including stalking, battery and emotional distress." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0011" width="640"/>"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Gretchen Rossi was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after an ongoing legal battle with a man who claimed to have had a secret relationship with her. When Jay Photoglou sued her for libel and slander, Rossi countered with accusations including stalking, battery and emotional distress.
eventually awarded a judgment. " border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0012" width="640"/>She is no longer on "Real Housewives of Atlanta," but Sheree Whitfield made headlines when her own divorce attorneys sued her for lack of payment. They were eventually awarded a judgment.
was reportedly in dispute with three banks over her mansion." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0013" width="640"/>Micah and Peggy Tanous of "Real Housewives of Orange County" appear to be just the latest in a long line of cast members who have had financial woes. She was reportedly in dispute with three banks over her mansion.
filed a discrimination charge against her in 2011. The woman claimed she had been fired from Barshop's Completely Bare salon because of her race, but the suit was eventually dismissed. " border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0014" width="640"/>A former employee of "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Cindy Barshop's filed a discrimination charge against her in 2011. The woman claimed she had been fired from Barshop's Completely Bare salon because of her race, but the suit was eventually dismissed.
TMZ reported that a bench warrant had been issued for Curtin and her then-husband, Frank, for a $1.2 million judgment issued against them." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0015" width="640"/>Fans of "Real Housewives of Orange County" watched as Lynne Curtin and her family were served an eviction notice in 2009. That same year, TMZ reported that a bench warrant had been issued for Curtin and her then-husband, Frank, for a $1.2 million judgment issued against them.
According to Jezebel, the famed White House gate-crashers have been named in more than 20 civil suits. The pair split in 2012 after Michaele reunited with her former love Journey guitarist Neal Schon." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0016" width="640"/>Who could ever forget Tareq and Michaele Salahi of the failed "Real Housewives of D.C."? According to Jezebel, the famed White House gate-crashers have been named in more than 20 civil suits. The pair split in 2012 after Michaele reunited with her former love Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
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- Apollo Nida must serve 5 years on parole after he does 8 years in prison
- His fraud scheme stole millions from at least 50 people over four years, prosecutor says
- Nida served 5 years in prison before marrying "Housewives" co-star Phaedra Parks
- He was busted after a year-long investigation by the U.S. Secret Service
(CNN) -- Apollo Nida, husband of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" co-star Phaedra Parks, is headed to prison for eight years on fraud charges.
Nida, who appears on the reality TV series with Parks, was arrested in January and pleaded guilty in May to charges in a fraud scheme that federal prosecutors say stole millions of dollars from at least 50 people over four years.
A hearing on July 17 will determine how much restitution Nida must pay to his victims.
This 'Housewives' fight leads to arrest
Nida, 35, must serve five years under parole supervision after he completes his eight years in a federal prison, U.S. District Court Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. ordered during sentencing Tuesday.
It will be the second prison stint for Nida, who previously served five years in a federal prison for auto title fraud before marrying Parks in 2009.
'Real Housewives' stars plead guilty
Nida created two fake collection companies to gather personal information used to steal victims' identities, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said after his sentencing in Atlanta. He used the information to get fraudulent auto loans in the names of his victims, according to the criminal complaint.
He was busted after a year-long investigation by the U.S. Secret Service.
"Today's sentencing exemplifies impartial justice regardless of economic class or perceived celebrity status," U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Reginald Moore said.<span style="color: Red;">*</span> "Nida's sentence should be an eye-opener for other like-minded criminals who scheme to steal victims' identities, defraud them and ignore the consequences of their actions."
The break in the case came in September, when federal investigators arrested Gayla St. Julein, a woman who "described herself as Nida's 'right hand b****' in executing the legwork of his fraud schemes," the complaint said.
St. Julien, who previously served prison time for identity theft, told agents that Nida "only paid her 'scraps'" for her work, compared to the amount of money he made from the fraud schemes," the filing said.
She turned on him and agreed to let agents record their phone calls, it said.
Nida "knowingly and willfully (did) execute and attempt to execute a scheme to defraud federally insured financial institutions by depositing stolen and fraudulently obtained checks and fraudulently obtained auto loan proceeds into bank accounts opened in the stolen identities of real persons, and conspire with others to do so, and knowingly convert to his use and the use of others stolen and fraudulently obtained United States Treasury Checks," Special Agent Alexandre Herrera said in a sworn affidavit.
Nida's fake companies fraudulently signed up with "LexisNexis, Equifax, and Mircrobilt databases" to steal personal information on people.
Along with the fraudulent auto loan checks, Nida stole U.S. Treasury checks, "retirement checks issued to Delta Airlines employees, and checks in the names of real people that were owed unclaimed property from various state and federal government agencies," the complaint said.
Agents recorded phone calls St. Julien made to Nida during which he discussed details of pending fraudulent auto loans and "details of future auto loan checks that he was expecting to receive any day now from in the mail," the affidavit said.
