Karen Huger will miss the The Real Housewives of Potomac’s season nine reunion filming as she enters a recovery facility, a month after she was convicted in a March 2024 DUI in Potomac, Maryland.
On Thursday, Huger’s manager Ryan Tresdale told Bravo’s The Daily Dish in a statement, ‘Karen made the important decision to enter a private recovery program, so was unable to attend the reunion taping today.
‘She was fully supported in this choice. We stand behind Karen as she embarks on this meaningful journey and are proud of her for taking such a significant step forward in her personal growth.’
The Surry, Virginia-born reality star, 61, wasn’t in promotional materials Bravo put out to hype the seating arrangement for the New York City-based taping on Instagram.
Huger’s costars Mia Thornton, Wendy Osefo, Stacey Rusch, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby and Keiarna Stewart were seen with reunion host Andy Cohen in images posted to social media.
Huger, who is nicknamed ‘Grand Dame,’ on December 19 was convicted in connection with DUI and DWI, speeding, driving with suspended registration, and failure to report an address change, with a reckless driving charge tossed.
Karen Huger, 61, will miss the The Real Housewives of Potomac ‘s season nine reunion filming as she enters a recovery facility, a month after she was convicted in a March 2024 DUI in Potomac, Maryland. Pictured last month in LA
The Surry, Virginia-born reality star wasn’t in promotional materials Bravo put out to hype the seating arrangement for the New York City-based taping on Instagram
Huger will be sentenced in connection with the convictions January 29, and faces up to two years in custody in connection with the violations.
In the wake of her conviction, Huger’s lawyer A. Scott Bolden told People in a statement, ‘Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case.
‘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.’
Cohen told the magazine last month of Huger’s problems: ‘I think it’s all sad. I haven’t really processed it yet, but I think it’s very sad.’
In the traffic incident which began March 19, officials with the Montgomery County Police said Huger was not injured in the wake of a single-vehicle collision in which she barreled through a median and smashed a series of street signs, People reported.
After the verdict, authorities released police body cam footage recorded during Huger’s arrest last March. In a questioning from police in the wake of the incident, Karen’s spouse Ray Huger was seen coming to her aid.
Karen was asked, ‘Do you remember the accident?’ to which she said, ‘Yes.’
The officer asked her, ‘What happened?’ and she said, ‘Nothing really,’ at which point Ray was heard telling his spouse, ‘Somebody ran you off the road,’ which she confirmed, but said she didn’t remember the other vehicle involved.
After the verdict, authorities released police body cam footage recorded during Huger’s arrest last March
Karen’s spouse Ray Huger was seen coming to her aid in the police footage
Karen appeared to avoid specific inquiries from officers about her alcohol intake on the evening in question, referring them to speak to Ray about it at one point.
Ray said, ‘I’m just saying, they’re assuming that you had more than you should have and I’m assuming you know, you had a couple of beers or something like that.’
Karen, who damaged the driver’s side of her Maserati in the incident, said, ‘Yes, that’s all I had.’
Last month, an insider told DailyMail.com that while ‘shooting for the upcoming season’ of RHOP has concluded, Karen ‘will not be asked to return unless she cleans herself up’ and has a ‘complete turnaround.’
Said the insider, ‘Right now, she is on the chopping block. Of course, she may go to jail which would make it impossible for her to return anyway … she is going to have to get sober before any decisions are made.’
Another source told DailyMail.com, ‘People feel like she is in so much pain after losing her parents but it still not an excuse for her behavior. It is sad to watch the bodycam footage. She could have seriously hurt, if not killed someone.’
The Real Housewives of Potomac can be seen at 8/7c Sunday on Bravo, with episodes available to stream on Peacock.
