Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Pleads Guilty in Fraud Trial

staff@people.com (Aaron Couch)
Updated
Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Says She's 'Scared to Death' to Potentially Go to Prison over Fraud

Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud Monday after being accused of attempting to hide income from her reality show.

The reality star also pleaded guilty to failing to report thousands of Australian dollars she brought into the United States, The Associated Press reports.

In October, Miller was charged with attempting to hide $775,000 if income from Dance Moms, the spinoff Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and other projects during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. She was later accused of putting $120,000 into separate plastic bags and having friends carry them in their luggage in August 2014, which is in violation of a law mandating people report if they are bringing more than $10,000 of a foreign currency into the U.S.

Her defense attorney Robert Ridge told the AP in a statement Monday it had been "a challenging time" for Miller, going on to say his client "appreciates the words of encouragement and support from around the world."



In October, Reuters reported emails from Miller and her accountant were used as evidence against her, with one allegedly reading, "LETS MAKE MONEY AND KEEP ME OUT OF JAIL. DON'T PUT CASH IN THE BANK!!!"

Miller is scheduled to face sentencing on Oct. 11. Prosecutors said Miller could face 24 to 30 months in prison, but her attorney said her creditors did not suffer any losses, so sentencing should range from probation to up to six months behind bars.