Abby Lee Miller pleaded not guilty to bankruptcy fraud at an arraignment on November 2. The development came two weeks after Miller was indicted for 20 counts of fraud.
According to People, the “Dance Moms” host appeared in federal court in downtown Pittsburgh and posted a $10,000 bailbond along with her not-guilty plea. The government was represented by Gregory Melucci of the US Attorney’s office.
If found guilty, the 49-year-old dance instructor’s case land her a possible five years in prison as well as a fine of $250,000 for each count she’s convicted of. That would result to almost $5 million of fine.
Miller also asked for a jury trial although the start date for the trial was not announced yet. Lawyers on both sides reportedly needed about 11 days to prepare for the trial.
The choreographer reportedly said yes when she was asked if she took the charges of bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy, and false bankruptcy declarations seriously.
The hearing was originally scheduled for November 5, but the Reign Dance Productions owner was successful in her petition to move it at an earlier date so as to not interfere with the filming of Season 6 of “Dance Moms” in Los Angeles.
Deadline reports that there are no restrictions on Miller’s domestic travel, but she must inform the federal court if she wishes to go overseas.
When reports pressed Abby for a statement outside the courthouse, she just gave them a smile and promoted her Lifetime reality series saying that Season 6 jackets are on sale at the website by November 4.
Miller was accused of hiding more than $755,000 made from her show produced by Collins Avenue, including having payments made to her mother instead of her.
This amid filing for bankruptcy back in 2010. Her lawyer, Robert Ridge spoke to People saying she only filed the petition to save her dance studio.
The investigation into the potential fraud case against Miller began when the judge saw “Dance Moms” on TV and questioned why no mention of the show has been made in Miller’s Chapter 11 filings since she first filed five years ago.
The Monday hearing came a week after Miller and Collins Avenue finally settled a lawsuit filed by former “Dance Moms” cast Kelly Hyland back in February 2014.
TMZ reports that after charges were dropped, the settlement resulted in Collins Avenue paying Hyland $17,500 to fix the floors in her house that were damaged during production.
In return, the reality show can still use images of Kelly and her daughters, Paige and Brooke, in reruns without a price.
Last year, Abby Lee Miller was sued for causing emotional stress to her student, Hyland’s daughter Paige, causing the 13-year-old to suffer depression. Hyland filed another case against the dance instructor for a brawl during filming in New York.
IB Times reported that a Los Angeles judge dismissed the first case filed by Hyland that sought $5 million in damages.
Paige herself filed a separate lawsuit last year over alleged abuse and insult and sought more than $25,000 in damages.
The court ruled there was no evidence that Miller violently treated the child after watching relevant footages from the program, thus dismissing the lawsuit in July.
Also, after Monday’s arraignment, Miller’s lawyers Ridge and Brandon Verdream filed a proposed order to allow the “Dance Moms” star an additional 45 days to submit pre-trial motions to the court.
If the extension motion will be granted, then Miller wouldn’t have to file any pre-trial motions until December 17.
As for Abby’s reality show, rumors that Maddie Ziegler will be returning have been surrounding the show’s upcoming sixth season.
According to Fashion & Style, after Miller’s confirmation that she will be back for Season 6, speculations started swirling that Ziegler will also be back.
The 13-year-old dancer, more known for starring in music videos of Sia’s songs including “Chandelier” and “Elastic Heart,” announced that she’s leaving the long-running reality show after five seasons.