Dance Moms star pleads not guilty to charges that she tried to hide $775,000 worth of income during bankruptcy
- Abigale Lee Miller, 50, was free on bond after Monday afternoon's federal court appearance in Pittsburgh
- Investigation began when bankruptcy judge in December 2012 figured she had to be making more than $8,899 in monthly income she was claiming
- FBI determined Miller hid more than $228,000 in income from appearances on Dance Moms and a spin-off project
- There was also nearly $550,000 more from personal appearances, dance sessions and merchandise sold through her website
- Charges include two counts of bankruptcy fraud, five counts of concealing bankruptcy assets and 13 counts of making false bankruptcy declarations
Dance Moms star Abigale Lee Miller has pleaded not guilty to charges that she tried to hide $775,000 worth of income during her Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The 50-year-old reality TV star was free on bond after Monday afternoon's federal court appearance in Pittsburgh.
The investigation began when a channel-surfing bankruptcy judge saw Miller on TV in December 2012 and figured she had to be making more than the $8,899 in monthly income she was claiming.
Dance Moms star Abigale Lee Miller is pictured arriving for a hearing on Monday in Pittsburgh. She pleaded not guilty to charges that she tried to hide $775,000 worth of income from the Lifetime network reality show and spinoff projects during her Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The 50-year-old reality TV star (pictured with her attorneys) was free on bond after Monday afternoon's federal court appearance
Her attorneys and prosecutors told the judge they expect a trial to last more than two weeks. It has yet to be scheduled
Once the FBI and other federal investigators got involved, they determined Miller hid more than $228,000 in income from appearances on Dance Moms and a spin-off, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition.
Authorities also determined she hid nearly $550,000 more from personal appearances, dance sessions and merchandise sold through her website, abbyleedancecompany.com.
On Monday, Miller continued hawking her wares as she entered the federal courthouse downtown, smiling and telling reporters that jackets from Season 6 of Dance Moms are on sale now.
Wearing a black top with gold-colored buttons, black slacks and matching flats, Miller couldn't resist commenting as she left the arraignment - despite her attorney's advice.
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Miller is charged with two counts of bankruptcy fraud, five counts of concealing bankruptcy assets and 13 counts of making false bankruptcy declarations
The investigation began when a bankruptcy judge saw Miller on TV in December 2012 and figured she had to be making more than the $8,899 in monthly income she was claiming
'Let's hope they get the numbers of the expenses that went out,' Miller said, referring to federal investigators.
The comment suggested that the income she's accused of hiding was offset by business expenses.
Whether that's true or not may not matter under the law.
That's because when someone files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the court can order creditors to accept less than they're owed or otherwise agree to more lenient repayment terms.
Miller (pictured during an episode of Dance Moms) is known for her outspoken, brash behavior and pursuit of perfectionism from her students
That court-imposed protection comes with the requirement that the debtor -in this case, Miller -honestly and fully discloses their income. If they don't, it's a crime.
Miller is charged with two counts of bankruptcy fraud, five counts of concealing bankruptcy assets and 13 counts of making false bankruptcy declarations.
Each of the 20 counts carries up to five years in prison, and a total of $5million in fines are possible if she is convicted of every count.
On Monday, Miller was smiling as she entered the federal courthouse downtown
According to the indictment, Miller filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010 claiming debts of more than $356,000, including a $200,000 mortgage on a Florida home and a $96,000 mortgage on her dance studio in Penn Hills, the Pittsburgh suburb where the reality show is based.
Miller received more favorable mortgage terms after filing Chapter 11, and that's why the alleged hiding of her income is a crime.
She didn't appear to be hiding her income in court. She was wearing a large watch, a showy gold-colored bracelet that ran several inches up her forearm, as well as several rings.
Defense attorney Robert Ridge declined to comment on the charges and wouldn't say whether the items Miller wore were costume jewelry or real gold.
'The last thing I'm going to do is comment on a woman's jewelry,' Ridge said.
Miller can travel for the show if needed, but must check with the court before traveling out of the country.
Her attorneys and prosecutors told the judge they expect a trial to last more than two weeks. It has yet to be scheduled.
She is known for her outspoken, brash behavior and pursuit of perfectionism from her students.
Critics of Dance Moms accuse Miller of being emotionally abusive, and many episodes show her students in tears.
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