Reality television is everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure. On any given channel, you can watch husbands, wives, mothers, and children spend ludicrous amounts of money, throw hilarious shade, and get into monumental arguments, all while pretending they don’t notice the camera crew flanking them on both sides. Some of our most beloved celebrities are products of the reality TV machine. But sometimes their on-screen antics make for serious problems off-camera. Keep reading to see the reality stars with real legal troubles.
Domonique Scott starred on the since-cancelled TLC show “The Sisterhood,” as a reformed ghetto girl and pull-no-punches First Lady. She and husband Brian had fallen on hard times and were unable to keep the doors of their church open. So Scott started a tutoring business to help make ends meet. But what viewers didn’t see was … well, the tutoring. The company was a complete fraud, and had scammed the Department of Education out of federal funding. She is currently incarcerated, and could serve up to 25 years in prison with a $400,000 fine.
While she certainly wasn’t a “Basketball Wives” star, Nia Crooks was a frequent topic of conversation after a physical altercation during a day at the races. Crooks, who was previously friends with Jennifer Williams and worked as Evelyn Lozada‘s assistant, struck Williams during an argument. And Williams chose to press charges (much to the dismay of showrunner Shaunie O’Neal). While Crooks dodged prison, she was slapped with a year’s probation, mandatory anger management courses, a $645 fine, an apology letter to Williams, and a restraining order.
Andrea Clevenger was a cast member of TLC’s “Cheer Perfection,” which documented the lives of competitive cheerleaders and their overbearing parents. In January, the 34-year-old mom was accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old boy at least three times, as well as sending him pornographic photos. She turned herself in to Arkansas authorities, and was charged with rape. She was released from police custody with a GPS-tracking ankle bracelet.
Apollo Nida, husband of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks, has always had a bit of a murky past. When he was first introduced on the show, it was revealed that he had done jail time just before he and Parks were married. Later reports uncovered a colorful criminal history which includes felony possession of a firearm and vehicle theft. His most recent arrest, in January, resulted in charges of identity theft and bank fraud.
Alexis Neiers captured America’s hearts (and banking information) on E!’s “Pretty Wild” as a spoiled teenager with an unconventional hobby: breaking into celebrity homes and stealing. She offered audiences many memorable quotes, including an infamous voicemail to Vanity Fair‘s Nancy Jo Sales, after the magazine printed an article about her criminal activity. After the show wrapped, she spent 30 days in jail, followed by three years of probation and a court order to pay $600,000 of restitution. Her story inspired the 2013 film The Bling Ring.
Chrissy Lampkin (“Love & Hip Hop: New York,” “Chrissy & Mr. Jones”) has never shied away from a bar brawl. But her latest scuffle at a New Jersey club landed her in a holding cell (and her opponent in the hospital). She began pummeling another club patron after the woman allegedly sat on a couch she was sitting on and then bumped into her. According to authorities, the exchange was extremely bloody. Lampkin was bailed out by fiancé Jim Jones.
Teresa and Joe Giudice are two hot-headed (and seemingly wealthy) cast members of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” Both have been involved in physical confrontations numerous times while the cameras were rolling. But in July, the couple was indicted on as many as 39 white collar criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, loan application fraud and bankruptcy fraud. They also neglected to file tax returns between 2004 and 2008.
NFL player Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson was a frequent guest star on VH1′s “Basketball Wives” when he took up with cast member Evelyn Lozada. After the couple was engaged, the network greenlit a special series, “Ev & Ocho,” that would chronicle their wedding planning process. But after their nuptials, the two got into a violent argument, during which Johnson head-butted Lozada. She was taken to the hospital, and he was charged with domestic battery. VH1 subsequently pulled their series, and they were divorced after only two months of marriage.