Andy Cohen Breaks His Silence on Karen Huger's Prison Sentence: 'Drunk Driving Is No Joke'

Mar. 15, 2025

Andy Cohen and Karen Huger.Photo:Ivan Apfel/Bravo; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty

Ivan Apfel/Bravo; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty

Andy Cohenis speaking out onKaren Huger’s recent prison sentencing.The host, 56, broke his silence during hisSiriusXM showAndy Cohen Liveon Monday, March 3. Just days after a judge orderedThe Real Housewives of Potomacstar tospend a year behind barsfor her DUI arrest last year, Cohen said he has mixed feelings about the outcome of the case.“I haven’t been on since Karen was sentenced, and I don’t have much to say,” he began. “I will say, I am thinking of Karen every day. I’ve been thinking about her a lot, and I’m so sad about this. I’m so sad about how this entire thing is played out. I am a Karen fan. Drunk driving is no joke. It’s so bad, so that this was her fourth situation was tough to hear.”“I’m not surprised that the judge was not playing. I’m not surprised at all,” he continued, adding, “I mean, it’s so sad.”Andy Cohen and Karen Huger.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyThe bodycam footage Cohen was referring to was released after Huger’s March 2024 arrest, which showed her visibly intoxicated as she stumbled and slurred her words in front of the arresting officers. She later admitted to having “a couple of beers” before name-dropping Cohen and President Thomas Jefferson in a tangent at the police station.She waschargedwith 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.Her 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.Ajury found Huger guilty on all charges except reckless drivingin December, and on Feb. 26, she was sentenced to two years in prison with one year suspended and five years probation.“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case," Huger’s then-attorney, A. Scott Bolden, told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement at the time. “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.“Karen Huger.Charles Sykes/Bravo via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Before her sentencing, Huger replaced her legal team and admitted herself into a private recovery program in Florida, which she later explained was to “get to the bottom” of “taking antidepressants and drinking.“She alsomissed the taping of the season nine reunionofRHOPbutappeared in two videos— one taken the day of sentencing and another from after she decided to enter rehab.“No, I’m not an alcoholic, let’s be clear,” she said in the first video, then telling her fans: “Do as I say, not as I do.“When asked about her reaction to the verdict, she said that her “heart dropped.”“This is very frightening but I accept full responsibility for everything that went on with my car accident,” she noted. “I don’t care about me right now. I care about my children, I care about my family. They are so hurt.”Her costar, Bryant, was moved to tears watching Huger address her fate.“That is my friend,” she said in the reunion episode. “I’ve heard too many things to count of Karen doing kind of reckless things. My prayer has always been, ‘She needs to get some help.’ And not in a shady way and not to tear her down as a person. She’s a beautiful person. So… this makes me feel like, ‘Oh, she really realizes this is it.’”

Andy Cohenis speaking out onKaren Huger’s recent prison sentencing.

The host, 56, broke his silence during hisSiriusXM showAndy Cohen Liveon Monday, March 3. Just days after a judge orderedThe Real Housewives of Potomacstar tospend a year behind barsfor her DUI arrest last year, Cohen said he has mixed feelings about the outcome of the case.

“I haven’t been on since Karen was sentenced, and I don’t have much to say,” he began. “I will say, I am thinking of Karen every day. I’ve been thinking about her a lot, and I’m so sad about this. I’m so sad about how this entire thing is played out. I am a Karen fan. Drunk driving is no joke. It’s so bad, so that this was her fourth situation was tough to hear.”

“I’m not surprised that the judge was not playing. I’m not surprised at all,” he continued, adding, “I mean, it’s so sad.”

Andy Cohen and Karen Huger.Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The bodycam footage Cohen was referring to was released after Huger’s March 2024 arrest, which showed her visibly intoxicated as she stumbled and slurred her words in front of the arresting officers. She later admitted to having “a couple of beers” before name-dropping Cohen and President Thomas Jefferson in a tangent at the police station.

She waschargedwith 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.

Her 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.

Ajury found Huger guilty on all charges except reckless drivingin December, and on Feb. 26, she was sentenced to two years in prison with one year suspended and five years probation.

“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case,” Huger’s then-attorney, A. Scott Bolden, told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement at the time. “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”

Karen Huger.Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Before her sentencing, Huger replaced her legal team and admitted herself into a private recovery program in Florida, which she later explained was to “get to the bottom” of “taking antidepressants and drinking.”

She alsomissed the taping of the season nine reunionofRHOPbutappeared in two videos— one taken the day of sentencing and another from after she decided to enter rehab.

“No, I’m not an alcoholic, let’s be clear,” she said in the first video, then telling her fans: “Do as I say, not as I do.”

When asked about her reaction to the verdict, she said that her “heart dropped.”

“This is very frightening but I accept full responsibility for everything that went on with my car accident,” she noted. “I don’t care about me right now. I care about my children, I care about my family. They are so hurt.”

Her costar, Bryant, was moved to tears watching Huger address her fate.

“That is my friend,” she said in the reunion episode. “I’ve heard too many things to count of Karen doing kind of reckless things. My prayer has always been, ‘She needs to get some help.’ And not in a shady way and not to tear her down as a person. She’s a beautiful person. So… this makes me feel like, ‘Oh, she really realizes this is it.’”

source: people.com