Karen Huger Bags Early Release From Prison After Initial Denial

Karen Huger regains her freedom after six months behind bars!

The "Real Housewives of Potomac" star was sentenced to a two-year prison term, with one year suspended following her 2024 DUI arrest. She crashed her Maserati while speeding and was incoherent during her conversation with authorities.

Karen Huger, nicknamed "The Grande Dame," made waves for her shocking appearance and behavior after the body cam footage of her arrest was released publicly. The TV personality regained her freedom months after her work release plea was denied.

Huger became a free woman on Tuesday, September 2, after serving six months behind bars instead of a year. A Montgomery County Detention Center spokesperson confirmed the news to Page Six, saying, "She has been released."

The Bravo star was found guilty of DUI in December 2024 after wrecking her car in a high-speed accident earlier that year. The body cam footage of her arrest was later released, capturing Huger slurring her words and confirming she was "drunk" to cops.

Huger reacted to her inebriated appearance on a March episode of "RHOP," noting she initially refused to watch the footage. However, she was forced to confront her fears when she appeared in court, confessing: "I watched, and I'm telling you, I didn't recognize that woman. I didn't know her."

Huger was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, in February 2025. The harsh punishment stemmed from her past crimes, as she has reportedly faced four driving violations since 2006.

Although ending up in jail wasn't Huger's desire, her co-star Gizelle Bryant claimed fans had nothing to worry about. During an April episode of "Watch What Happens Live," she told host Andy Cohen that Huger was thriving behind bars.

"I have been in contact with someone that's very close to her about her safety and all that. From what I understand, they love her up in where she is right now," Bryant alleged. She claimed Huger was adored to the point where "she's running that thing."

Huger's freedom came months after her attempt to escape prison was denied. The Blast covered the story, reporting that she applied for the work release program after collecting good behavior credits behind bars.

The program focused on rehabilitating inmates and often placed them in a dormitory-style building rather than a traditional prison. Unfortunately for Huger, the judge presiding over her case did not believe she was qualified for work release and refused her plea.

Huger's attorney, David Moyse, lamented the disapproval, claiming his client had drawn the wrong judge. He noted that she had been looking forward to escaping her prison cell and returning to the rehabilitation facility she was in before her incarceration to focus on her recovery.

Huger announced she had entered rehab in a video message to her co-stars, noting she needed to address the root problem of her drinking and antidepressant usage. However, the timing of her decision raised eyebrows.

Dr. Wendy Osefo wondered whether Huger sought treatment to improve her well-being or avoid a harsher sentence. Despite her comments, Osefo was shocked when her co-star was sentenced to a year in prison.

"At the end of the day, we may have our differences, but I always wish her well," Osefo said. The Blast shared that Bryant was similarly stunned by Huger's sentence and addressed her concerns at her "Gizelle 21 Shady Questions Live" event early this year, claiming Huger wasn't "cut out for jail."

While other "RHOP" stars were shocked and worried about Huger's safety following her prison sentence, The Blast reported that Cohen wasn't a part of the list. Given Huger's past DUI crimes, the talk show host claimed he wasn't surprised by the outcome.

Although he noted his heart would be with Huger amid her legal ordeal, he condemned her actions as "no joke" and slammed her attorneys for giving her bad advice. Cohen claimed they shouldn't have let the case go to trial since there was body cam evidence.

"I've been thinking about her a lot, and I'm so sad about this. I'm so sad about how this entire thing has played out," Cohen lamented. Meanwhile, Bravo did not let Huger's arrest stop them from continuing production for a new season of "RHOP."

How will Karen Huger's co-stars react to her early release from prison?