NEED TO KNOW
Huger was serving time in jail for a DUI. She was later released six months early in September 2025
The ladies of The Real Housewives of Potomac got a rare update on Karen Huger’s life behind bars before her release.
In PEOPLE’s exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming episode of the Bravo reality show, Karen’s longtime friend Cookie shares details of how the reality star was holding up while serving time for her drunk driving conviction. In the preview, Cookie meets with Gizelle Bryant, Keiarna Stewart and Ashley Darby for lunch, where she answers their questions about their castmate.
“Cookie’s been really good friends with Karen Huger for years,” Gizelle explains. “I’m not mad at not really talking to Karen, because I know I’m going to be asked about it. I know that she’s talking to Cookie, her husband and her daughter. Karen’s being strategic, and I’m not mad.”
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Gizelle also reveals that Cookie was with Karen in the courthouse the day she was taken into custody in February, and she called Gizelle immediately after.
“How was she when that happened?” Ashley asks.
“She was very strong,” Cookie replies.
In March 2024, Karen was arrested and charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
Other charges included failure to control vehicle speed on the highway to avoid a collision, driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on the highway, driving a vehicle on the highway with suspended registration and failure to notify administration of change of address within 30 days.
In December 2024, a Maryland jury found her guilty on all charges except reckless driving, and she was sentenced to two years behind bars with one year suspended, as well as five years’ probation.
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“Because of her sentencing and what she’s in there for, do they automatically put her into some sort of alcohol program?” Gizelle asks.
Cookie says yes, comparing it to rehabilitation programs for those who are locked up for drug-related crimes.
As for what Karen liked to do to pass time, Cookie shares she “reads a lot of books, she’s exercising a lot.”
The other concern the group has is how Karen was handling living amongst all the other women in jail.
“I was fearful that somebody would try to do something to her so they can, like, make their mark,” Gizelle admits as they all laugh at her following the stereotype if “jail movies.”
Cookie further reveals that there was a possibility of an early release for Karen — and although she wouldn’t say when, fans now know that Karen was released last month after completing just six months of her year-long sentence.
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The Real Housewives of Potomac airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
