"Real Housewives of Atlanta" castmember Apollo Nida plead guilty yesterday to mail, bank, and wire fraud in a Georgia federal court.
The husband of Phaedra Parks admitted to stealing over $2 million from banks, individuals, and the government in a scheme that lasted over four years.
Assistant U.S. attorney Alana Black detailed Nida's crimes in detail during court proceedings.
Nida, 35, filed documents as if he had a debt collection agency in order to access names, addresses, birthdates, social security numbers, and other personally identifiable information. He used that information to claim government refunds, file fraudulent tax returns, open bank accounts, and cash checks that did not belong to him. Nida kept evidence of the illegal activity on his laptop computer.
His partner in crime, Gayla St. Julien, turned him in after she was apprehended in September 2013. For her cooperation, she received five years in prison.
The reality star also received loans for cars that didn't exist after he created a fake dealership. He apologized in court Tuesday, saying the frauds were "a dumb situation I put myself in."
Although he alleged his wife makes $600,000 per year on the "Real Housewives of Atlanta," Nida said he felt pressure to contribute to the household in kind. Having already served five years on federal racketeering charges, the felon thought a high-earning, legitimate job was out of his reach.
Nida told the court he had a nervous breakdown due to the stress he felt to sustain a luxurious lifestyle.
"I got sucked in and engulfed and lost sight of things," he said.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, and Nida faces up to 30 years, a $1 million fine, and $2.3 million in restitution for his crimes.
Nida and Parks married in November 2009. They have two children together, Dylan, 1, and Aydan, 4.
