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“Accidents happen” is how “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Karen Huger tried to dismiss the March car accident that led to her arrest and DUI charge in Season 9’s fall premiere. The shocking incident — which comes years after another DUI accident Huger was involved in — played a central role in the reality star’s TV arc this year. And despite several attempts to keep it under wraps, the entire case blew up in Huger’s face on Wednesday when a jury convicted her of driving under the influence.
Per Deadline, Huger was also found guilty of several other charges, including negligent driving and failure to control speed to avoid a collision. She could face up to two years in prison upon sentencing in January.
After the jury’s decision, Huger’s attorney told People, “Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we, of course, respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case.”
It’s unclear if the TV personality herself will directly address the guilty verdict on the upcoming “Real Housewives of Potomac” reunion, or at all for that matter. But for as long as Huger avoided discussing the topic on her show, viewers are looking for a clear explanation now.
During what’s already been shown of Season 9, which is still airing, Huger dodged any and every query from her curious castmates, insisting she couldn’t speak on her DUI charge during the court’s adjudication process but that all would be revealed eventually — and it was.
Not long after her guilty verdict, Fox5 DC released damning body cam footage of a disheveled and rather chatty Huger after her accident that revealed way more than she initially let on. Not only did the “Real Housewives” star appear to be visibly drunk after crashing her car, but she also seemed completely incoherent when talking to police officers.
While many social media users have been having a field day with Huger’s footage online, others seem puzzled by why the TV star tried to downplay her intoxicated state and the seriousness of her case on “Real Housewives,” despite clips showing a far worse scenario.
A lot can be said about reality stars who pick and choose which reality they want to portray on television to maintain a certain image. For the past nine seasons, Huger has tried to keep up her vain reputation of being the “Grand Dame” of Potomac, a title she built on having poise, class and elegance. A DUI conviction surely adds a dark stain to that persona. However, it wouldn’t have ended this way if Huger had been as transparent as possible from the start (or smart enough to take a plea deal). At the very least, she should’ve learned from her first DUI incident to have a designated driver when needed, or better, call an Uber.
Had Huger addressed her situation head-on, she might have been able to prevent the scandal she’s embroiled in right now. In the face of such public scrutiny, it’s mind-boggling that the “Potomac” star even returned to her show this season, seeing she wasn’t ready to confront her current circumstances. Was saving her reputation that much more important? Or was she arrogant enough to think a court would dismiss her case as careless as she treated it?
Whatever the case, the fallout will likely change the reality star’s good public standing.
Huger is one of the latest “Real Housewives” stars to battle legal trouble following the highly publicized debacle of “Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah’s telemarketing fraud scheme (she’s currently incarcerated for it). Former “Atlanta” alum Peter Thomas, Cynthia Bailey’s ex-husband, is also heading to prison to serve an 18-month-long sentence, People reported on Thursday. Huger could face a similar fate should she be sentenced to jail time next month.
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It’s a wonder how Huger will bounce back from her conviction. For now, “Real Housewives” fans will just have to see how the rest of Huger’s messy story unfolds, on and off screen. One thing is certain, though: After deflecting for so long, Huger has no choice now but to face the consequences of her actions.
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