"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Apollo Nida has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bank fraud, according to the Associated Press.
Nida, who is married to reality star Phaedra Parks, pleaded guilty in a massive money fraud scheme on Tuesday after being accused of laundering $2.3 million. The 35-year-old reportedly stole the identities of more than 50 people to set up bank accounts to transfer money and cash US Treasury checks.
According to United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, Nida "participated in a sweeping fraud scheme that exploited many segments of the financial system, including phony claims submitted to federal and state agencies, loans secured by vehicles, and even basic identity theft associated with stolen checks."
Prosecutors believe that beginning in August 2009 Nida and co-conspirators "stole and obtained checks, filed fraudulent tax returns, and made fraudulent claims against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in at least 11 states," according to the AP.
Prosecutors also state that the group has been charged in the past with taking out phony auto loans and creating fake documents to secure them. Gayla St. Julien, one of the co-conspirators, was arrested in September 2013. Us Weekly reported that Julien, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 61 months in prison, identified Nida as one of his partners.
Nida told the court: "I take full responsibility for my actions. It was a dumb situation I put myself in... I got sucked in and engulfed and lost sight of things."
The father of two also mentioned that his wife was not aware of his actions. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Nida is facing up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million if convicted.
A sentencing hearing has been set for July 8.
