The Most Scandalous Legal Woes in Real Housewives History

The current cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City has her co-stars — and social media — abuzz as her telemarketing and wire fraud case continues to develop. Shah and first assistant Stuart Smith (AKA Stu Chains) were charged in connection with a scheme that allegedly defrauded hundreds, including many elderly and vulnerable victims, according to CNN. Being Shah-mazing is no longer the only thing this housewife is guilty of, as she recently changed her plea to guilty, reversing her earlier plea. Contrary to her adamant defence of her innocence in the season two reunion, NBC News reports that Shah now faces up to 14 years in prison. Cameras continued to roll amidst Shah’s legal woes, which will continue to play out on season three of RHOSLC.

Orphans and widows and $750,000 earrings, oh my! Fans of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are well aware of the legal drama going down in the house of Girardi. The past two seasons have been all but consumed by Erika Jayne’s legal woes — from her sudden divorce from Tom Girardi to the unravelling of allegations against the former famed lawyer, who was accused of misappropriating clients’ settlement funds and disbarred in August 2021, according to NBC News. The most recent development took place when Erika Jayne was served with a $50 million lawsuit at LAX following a luxurious off-camera Hawaiian getaway with co-stars Lisa Rinna and RHOBH newbie, Diana Jenkins. The nine charges Jayne will face in connection to Giraradi’s case include racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful business practice and deceit. The "XXPEN$IVE" singer’s legal woes continue to unfold both in the most recent season and in the news in real time.

Fans of The Real Housewives of New Jersey were shocked in 2013 when the undisputed star (and table-flip queen) of the franchise, Teresa, and her then-husband, Joe Giudice, were charged with multiple counts of loan and bankruptcy fraud, according to ABC News. The drama played out over the course of the next few seasons, with both Teresa and Joe being found guilty and sentenced to consecutive jail time. Additional legal troubles for both Teresa and Joe came up, with Joe having his license suspended for a DUI (which landed him additional jail time) and Teresa being sued in small claims court for property damage and breach of contract (which was settled). The pair eventually separated after Joe Giudice was deported to Italy after serving 41 months behind bars.

The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star was in a legal battle when she filed a discrimination suit against her former employers, including Andy Cohen himself. The initial lawsuit accused the defendants of “racially-insensitive and inappropriate behaviour,” naming her former co-star Kim Zolciak for having made racist remarks for years. NeNe has since dismissed the case.

Erika isn’t the only Beverly Hills Housewife who has been in legal trouble at the expense of her husband. Dorit and husband PK Kemsley allegedly owe up to $1.3 million in unpaid taxes, according to documents obtained by The Sun. Rumours of financial struggles and unpaid debts have followed the couple for years. They've had allegations ranging from debts owned to Dorit’s former Beverly Beach business partner to PK’s $2.3 million gambling debts (that are now paid in full, according to Radar Online). The couple's assets were even frozen in 2019 because of their ongoing debts and tax issues. And now, in addition to their alleged debts, the couple has been hit with yet another scandal, PK’s DUI arrest, which audiences can see play out on the latest season just one month after a home invasion and robbery took place at the couple’s home.

After the shocking fight that ended the longtime friendship was caught on camera, subsequent legal drama played on the Real Housewives of Potomac. Candiace Dillard filed second-degree assault charges against her former friend and castmate, and Monique filed a counterclaim against Candiace, according to People. Neither were taken to court, with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office choosing not to pursue both charges.

One of the messiest battles in Housewives history is the years-long lawsuit between former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville and former Real Housewives of Miami star Joanna Krupa. Hang on because you’re in for a ride that involves multiple franchises and two supermodels’ father. Krupa sued Brandi for defamation in 2015 over comments that Glanville made on Watch What Happens Live. The notoriously loose-lipped Brandi claimed that Krupa had sexual relations with her then-castmate Yolanda Hadid’s former husband Mohamed Hadid (father of Bella and Gigi) while Mohamed and Yolanda were still married and that he told Brandi that Krupa’s “p---- smelled.” The two eventually reached a settlement and Brandi issued a public apology to Krupa.

Fans of the Real Housewives of New York have watched Bethenny’s divorce drama with ex-husband Jason Hoppy and the subsequent custody case over their daughter, Bryn, play out over the years. Bethenny and Jason married in 2010 and split in 2012, but the Skinnygirl mogul’s divorce wasn’t finalized until 2021, which she confirmed on an episode of Watch What Happens Live. 2021 was a year of legal wins, as Bethenny also no longer had to pay child support to her ex after winning full legal custody of Bryn, People reported.

Speaking of RHONY stars with legal drama, The Countess’s fall from grace was another major plot point over the years. After a messy breakup with ex-husband Tom D’Agostino, Luann was arrested for disorderly intoxication and battery of a police officer on Christmas eve while visiting Palm Beach, where her wedding took place. She pled guilty to the charges and agreed to a plea deal that required Luann to be on a one-year probation, attend regular AA meetings and perform community service. Luann was found in violation of her probation twice during the year. She completed her probation in 2019 and has continued to work to maintain her sober lifestyle.

It’s no secret that the former child actress, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and sister to current RHOBH cast members Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton has struggled with her sobriety over the years. In 2015, in the midst of a drinking problem, Kim was arrested for battery and resisting arrest at the Beverly Hills Hotel and for stealing $600 of goods from Target. She was sentenced to 36 months of probation, 300 hours of community service and 52 AA meetings for each offence, which she completed in 2017 (though she was on probation for another two years, until 2019). In 2018 she faced legal trouble again, this time over her dog Kingsley who allegedly attacked her neighbour. Kim didn’t show up to court for the case, so the judge ruled in the neighbour's favour, fining her $266,000, according to Page Six.