‘Filled to the Gills With Alcohol’: Karen Huger Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison as Judge Makes Harsh Statement About ‘RHOP’ Star
Karen Huger has received a much harsher prison sentence than fans expected. The Real Housewives of Potomac star learned of her fate as her husband, Ray, stood by her side in a Rockville, Maryland courthouse. Echoing the scandals of past Bravo housewives, Huger’s supporters are scrambling to find out what this means for the Grand Dame.
Karen Huger sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, over DUI conviction
Prior to Huger’s sentencing, her team asked that the Bravo star serve six months in prison over her DUI incident on March 19, 2024. At the time, Huger was involved in a single-vehicle crash near her home in Potomac, Maryland. She crossed a highway median in her 2017 Maserati, striking several street signs, and colliding with a tree. Police’s body camera footage showed a visibly intoxicated Huger refusing a breathalyzer and sobriety tests.
Upon sentencing, the judge gave Huger the highest possible punishment, citing that this was not her first DUI and that she was “filled to the gills with alcohol,” according to Fox5 DC. The jury had previously found Huger guilty on five of her six charges, including DUI and negligent driving. They acquitted her of one charge: reckless driving. Before her sentencing, Huger had petitioned the judge, saying she would go to AA meetings for the rest of her life and advocate against drunk driving. Her last-minute plea was not enough.
Contradicting the judge’s implication that alcohol certainly had a lot to do with Huger’s DUI, her attorney said the “overuse of prescription medicine is what caused the accident.” The judge, however, shot back, “What are we waiting for the fifth before we sentence you to jail time?” Huger has had four offenses in the last 17 years, according to Fox5.
Huger had previously entered a rehabilitation program in January 2025, forgoing an appearance on The Real Housewives of Potomac season 9 reunion. Instead, Bravo aired a recorded message from the Grand Dame, explaining that she was entering treatment to address her consumption of antidepressants while drinking.
“No, I’m not an alcoholic, let’s be clear,” she said in the video. “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.”
Gizelle Bryant said earlier accountability would’ve helped with Karen Huger’s case
In early February, Gizelle Bryant sat down with Us Weekly to discuss Huger’s fate, calling her potential prison sentence “sad.” “Having nothing to do with the show, I don’t want to see Karen go to jail,” Bryant stated. “No, I don’t. But if that were to happen, I mean, we’ll be there for her.” The RHOP cast member also shared that Huger’s timing could’ve been better.
“I think she should have done it right after [the accident] — gone to rehab right after the accident,” Bryant explained. “I think it actually would have helped her with her case.” Despite wanting Huger to remain on the Bravo reality show, Bryant says the cast would be “fine” without her. “I mean, do I want to see her go to jail?” the EveryHue Beauty founder asked herself. “Absolutely not. But do I want to see her take accountability? For sure. So, I don’t know. I mean, Karen going to jail — that would break my heart.”
