Karen Huger Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Karen Huger name-dropped third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and Andy Cohen following her car accident in March.
Huger, 61, was found guilty of driving under the influence and four other charges on Wednesday, December 18, though she was acquitted of reckless driving. After the conclusion of her trial in Rockville, Maryland, prosecutors released police footage of Huger on the night of the accident, as shared by Fox 5 DC anchor Marina Marraco via X.
In police dash camera footage from the night of March 19, Huger can be seen sitting in the passenger seat of a police vehicle and telling an officer that she’s known as the “Grande Dame” — a reference to her moniker on RHOP — and that “Andy Cohen did that.” She continues, “I don’t know what the f–k that’s about.”
After being taken to a local police station, police body camera footage then shows Huger appearing to disagree with a police officer and at one point referring to herself as “Thomas Jefferson’s concubine.”
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Huger was charged with DUI, negligent driving, failure to control speed to avoid a collision, and failure to notify authorities of an address change in court Wednesday, per Fox 5 DC. (Us Weekly has reached out to Bravo for comment on the verdict.)
“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case,” Huger’s attorney, A. Scott Bolden, told People in a statement. “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”
Karen Huger Charles Sykes/Bravo
In March, Huger was involved in a car accident in Potomac, Maryland. The Montgomery County Police told TMZ at the time that Huger was driving her 2017 Maserati in an “aggressive manner” in Potomac when she struck an intersection crosswalk sign and a parking sign.
She was not arrested but received multiple citations from police at the time. She was later charged with a DUI and DWI.
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During her trial, police body camera footage showed an officer tell her she was “hammered” as she appeared to slur her words, reported Fox 5 DC. Multiple witnesses testified during the trial, including an EMT who claimed that Huger refused treatment at the scene of the accident and “swayed” when she attempted to get into an ambulance.
At the time of the accident, Huger said she was dealing with emotional distress.
Wendy Osefo, Mia Thornton, Candiace Dillard, Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Boalch Darby, and Nneka Ihim. Jai Lennard/Bravo
“Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes during this very frightening experience. I am still in shock from last nights incident, but grateful to be alive today. With the passing of my Beloved Mother, Grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mothers Day approaching it has felt more like a tsunami,” Huger TMZ in a March statement. “Last night I met a girlfriend for dinner, we talked and brought up some very emotionally sensitive topics. I was crying on my way home and saw a car heading right for me. I swerved to avoid the head-on collision, hit the divider and then a tree. I’m hurt, bruised up a bit, but so grateful I am alive! I did receive citations, one of which was unrelated to the incident which is understandable, but what was most surprising is that the car that almost hit me just drove away!”
She concluded, “I would like to stress, it’s important to understand your emotional state when driving and may this be a reminder to all to use their seatbelts, my Mother may be my Guardian Angel but the seatbelt saved my life.”
Huger is expected to be sentenced on January 29, 2025.