The Most Insane Reasons Why These Bravo Stars Were Arrested

Bravo is a network best known for its wide range of reality shows, especially where it concerns the popular Real Housewives franchises and its spin-offs, like Vanderpump Rules. But what most fans don't know about Bravo? The fact that many of its stars have been arrested and spent time in jail. Don't believe us? 15 Real Housewives stars have had issues with the law, while a handful of Below Deck cast members are well-acquainted with the phrase, "you have the right to remain silent."

Of course, some arrests were more wild than others. Take former Southern Charm star Thomas Ravenel, for instance. The dad-of-two was busted in September 2007 for federal cocaine distribution charges (he later pleaded guilty) while serving South Carolina as State Treasurer. You can't make this stuff up. Or what about Jax Taylor's sunglasses heist during a Vanderpump Rules cast trip to Hawaii? Dude went to jail for swiping a $300 pair of shades. Sigh.

But wait, these aren't the only arrests we have to fill you in on — here are the most insane arrests in Bravo history.

Dr. Grant William Robicheaux, an Orthopedic surgeon who appeared on one episode of the Bravo series Online Dating Rituals of the American Male, was arrested in September 2018 for allegedly raping two women. The backstory of the arrest is extremely troubling, as Robicheaux allegedly committed the rapes "by use of drugs, oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance," according to a press release obtained by Us Weekly. 

But wait — that's not all. Robicheaux supposedly committed these assaults with the help of his girlfriend, Cerissa Riley. Although this might sound unbelievable to some, authorities claim Riley and Robicheaux carefully worked together together to commit these crimes.

"On April 10, 2016, Robicheaux and Riley are accused of inviting the victim to a party in Newport Beach and escorting her to Robicheaux's apartment once she was intoxicated," the release states, according to Us Weekly. "The defendants are accused of supplying multiple drugs to the victim then raping and orally copulating her while she was prevented from resisting due to intoxicating and controlled substances and they should have reasonably known of her condition."

This case took an especially dark turn in October 2018 when Robicheaux was accused of assaulting an additional five women, three of whom Riley was also charged in connection with. Authorities additionally charged the two with "kidnapping to commit rape," as the victims were "rendered incapable of consent" before entering Robicheaux's apartment.

Robicheaux and Riley "unequivocally deny all allegations" against them, according to CNN.

One of the most random arrests in Bravo history? Look no further than Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor, who was arrested in July 2015 after he allegedly stole a $300 pair of sunglasses from Sunglass Hut during a cast trip to Hawaii. The dramatic incident played out on the show (yep, Taylor reportedly shoplifted while cameras were around) and his cast members had to cough up $11,000 to bail him out of jail. Womp womp.

Taylor was charged with "second-degree theft" and he entered a plea deal in February 2016, according to E! News. Luckily for Taylor, the deal was pretty forgiving given the high-profile nature of the crime, and he was ordered to complete just 364 days of probation. The reality star was also ordered "to pay $350 to [Sunglass Hut], $105 to the crime victim compensation fund, and $1,150 in fees and fines," according to KHON2 News.

So, why did Taylor swipe the shades? It's not like he's hurting for cash or anything...

"I had too many drinks, too many Mai Tais," Jax explained to presiding judge (via KHON2 News). "I made a mistake, took full responsibility and I understand this is going to follow me the rest of my life due to the fact that I'm on television. So I just want to say I'm sorry and I apologize." Really, dude? Mai tais? Lessoned learned, folks: watch your Mai Tai intake the next time you're on vacation.

Real Housewives of New York City star Luann de Lesseps is well-known for her hit single, "Money Can't Buy You Class," a tune that came back to haunt her in December 2017 when, according to the Miami Herald, she was charged with "battery on an officer, disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest with violence and crimes against a person." Sheesh, that's a mouthful.

De Lesseps' embarrassing confrontation with cops occurred at a hotel in Palm Beach, Florida after she drunkenly stumbled into another guest's room, then locked herself in the bathroom when police were called. De Lesseps told Dr. Oz (via People) in a later interview that when she came out of the bathroom, she "hit [an officer] in the forehead," which resulted in the battery charge. 

Although de Lesseps should have played it cool after that, she did the exact opposite by threatening one of the arresting officers. Recorded video (via Us Weekly) from inside the patrol car shows de Lesseps yelling at a cop: "Don't touch me. I'm going to kill you. I'll kill you! I will kill you!" Yikes. 

De Lesseps' lawyer must be great because she reached a plea deal with prosecutors in July 2018 to avoid jail time, according to The Blast. She pleaded guilty to "battery, trespassing and disorderly intoxication," and wrote an apology letter to one of the officers. Additionally, de Lesseps had to pay fines and court costs, and perform 50 hours of community service, among other stipulations.

Real Housewives of New York star Tinsley Mortimer ditched her socialite status in April 2016 when she was arrested for trespassing at her ex-boyfriend's Palm Beach, Florida pad. Mortimer, who attended prep schools and and grew up surrounded by wealth, seemingly lost it after her former paramour, Nico Fanjul, shacked up with another woman following their breakup. Furious, Mortimer allegedly showed up at Fanjul's home to confront him while "crying and screaming irrationally," according to Page Six.

Mortimer, who now uses her maiden name, Mercer, claimed to authorities that her purse was inside Fanjul's house, a statement he denied. "Fanjul stated that he was inside the house with his new girlfriend while Mercer was outside screaming at him," the police report stated, according to Page Six. Cringe. Unfortunately, Mercer allegedly escalated her tirade to the point of no return. "After multiple attempts to calm Mercer down from screaming, Mercer was placed under arrest for trespass after warning," the report added.

The good news? The trespassing charges were dropped in December 2016, a development Mercer was very thankful for. "Tinsley has always maintained her innocence. She is relieved and feels she has been vindicated," a source told People. "Now she can finally move on with her life. This is a victory for her."

All's well that ends well, as the old saying goes. 

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Kim Richards wins the award for most bizarre arrest in Bravo history. Want some proof? Take a look at her August 2015 arrest for shoplifting a ton of random items at Target. And when we say random, we mean random. Richards' alleged theft of 100 items included "animal crackers, Scotch glue, colored pencils, stickers, a Conair mirror and gloves," according to Page Six. Umm.

Making matters even more insane? Richards was bold enough to take her bizarre haul to the express checkout line before proceeding to leave without paying. After telling the checkout person that she had already paid for the items, Richards resumed her shopping spree, filling up a second cart with goodies, according to TMZ.

Once the second cart was filled to the brim with "toys and beauty products," Richards left it at the express checkout line and started walking out of the store with her first cart, according to TMZ. A security guard spotted Richards, who then brought her to the store's booking area. When the former reality star couldn't prove she paid for the items, police were called to arrest her for theft.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office described Richards' heist best, stating in part to Page Six: "She just rolled out."

Richards took a plea deal in her case, agreeing to "52 AA meetings, three years probation, 300 hours community service as well as two days in jail," according to the Daily Dish.

Real Housewives of Atlanta fans probably remember Porsha Williams' epic fight with Kenya Moore at the Season 6 reunion in March 2014. During a heated argument at the taping, "Porsha charged at Kenya and pulled her hair," resulting in security escorting being called, a source told Us Weekly. 

"To me, it came out of nowhere. The other women felt like Kenya provoked [Porsha] a bit...I was so shocked and surprised," Bravo producer Andy Cohen said about the scuffle, according to the Daily Dish. "I don't want that to happen. I think it's gross."

The fight was so intense, that Williams was later charged with one misdemeanor count of simple battery. Williams turned herself into authorities on April 16, 2014, and she was released immediately after she posted a $2,000 cash bond, according to Us Weekly.

Williams' arrest generated buzz at the time because some argued Moore took things too far by pressing charges. Cohen hinted at this in an interview with Moore, to which she responded, according to The Wrap: " ... this is a show, there always a line you do no [sic] cross, that's in life, that's morally speaking and to have that happen to me, to have it damage me in the way that it did, is reprehensible."

Although it's not exactly clear what happened with Williams' simple battery charge, it's obvious she has made up with Moore. "Mommas out on the town!," Williams captioned an October 2018 shot of the two hanging out.

One of the most insane things a person can do is to commit a crime while starring on a reality television show. No one knows this better than Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, who was was convicted of fraud alongside her husband, Joe Giudice, in October 2014.

The reality TV couple first faced charges in March 2013, when prosecutors handed down a "39-count indictment that included conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud," according to People. Although the two initially entered not guilty pleas, they later changed their tune to guilty as their sentencing drew near. 

As for what led to the couple's demise? The two allegedly failed to disclose their 2009 income for RHONJ — $110,000 — during their October 2009 to Dec 2011 bankruptcy proceedings. The lapse in judgment caused investigating agencies to take a closer look at their finances, which didn't bode well for the couple.

"Everyone has an obligation to tell the truth when dealing with the courts, paying their taxes and applying for loans or mortgages. That's reality," U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement about the case, according to E! News. True dat.

Teresa was sentenced to 15 months in prison, while Joe was slapped with 41 months. Additionally, a judge ruled that Joe will be deported back to his native country of Italy, a development Teresa reportedly didn't see coming. Ouch.

Below Deck star and chief stewardess Kate Chastain is viewed by many fans as the voice of reason on the dramatic series. But Chastain shattered that perfect image when in June 2016 she was arrested for allegedly abusing her then girlfriend, Ricio "Ro" Hernandez, during a fight at their home in Melbourne, Florida. It's not exactly clear what led to the fight, but a police report obtained by People claimed Chastain "bit" Hernandez on the "forearm, inner bicep, and leg" during a drunken fit of rage. After Hernandez refused to leave the couple's home, Chastain allegedly sat on top of her, and then proceeded to cover her nose and mouth. The report also included allegations that Chastain strangled Hernandez and pulled her hair. 

When cops arrived on the scene, Chastain admitted that she and Hernandez got into a physical fight. Chastain was then arrested and "charged with battery by strangulation domestic violence," an allegation she seemingly denied at the time.

"Thank you for your support during this difficult & humiliating time," Chastain tweeted after the arrest. "The truth will come out & I look forward to regaining peace in my life."

Luckily for Chastain, the felony domestic violence charge was reportedly downgraded to a misdemeanor in June 2017.

Want to hear a terrible idea? Getting involved with drugs while holding public office. Ravenel missed this memo when in September 2007 he was indicted on federal cocaine distribution charges during his tenure as South Carolina State Treasurer. It sounds like someone ripped this story straight out of a Scandal episode, right? 

The judge who presided over the case, U.S. District Judge Joseph Anderson Jr., sentenced Ravenel to 10 months in prison for the crime, leading him to resign from his high-ranking job. There's a good chance Ravenel's strict sentence was influenced by a witness who testified that he allegedly "used cocaine at 27 of 30 parties held at his downtown Charleston home," according to The Post and Courier. Anderson, who was seemingly frustrated by the allegations, responded: "We have an awful lot of cocaine parties at the house of a state constitutional officer." Way to shade Ravenel, judge. 

Ravenel didn't deny the charges, stating at his sentencing: "I brought embarrassment, being a public official, to the state. [Voters] had a right to expect better conduct, better behavior, from me."

Hopefully, Ravenel's political demise will act as teaching moment to aspiring public officials. 

During Ravenel's time on Southern Charm, he often talked about being a gentleman and succeeding in high society. So, it's no wonder why many people were shocked when in May 2018 real estate agent Ashley Perkins alleged to People that her mother, Debbie Holloway Perkins, was sexually assaulted by him in December 2015 after a Tinder date. 

Ravenel denied the duo's allegations, despite the fact that he supposedly paid Ashley a big check in exchange for her silence. "They ended up settling for $200,000," Ashley told People at the time, claiming that Debbie wasn't able to discuss the alleged incident because she signed a non-disclosure agreement.

The scandal didn't end there because shortly after the allegations, a former nanny of Ravenel's children "filed a police report charging him with forcible rape" in 2015, as reported Page Six. Authorities found the claim credible, charging Ravenel in September 2018 with "assault and battery in the second degree," according to People.

As for Bravo's reaction? The network confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Sept. 25, 2018, that Ravenel would no longer appear on Southern Charm. And things took an even worse turn for Ravenel when in November 2018 a judge ruled that he'd go to trial for the charges against him. Uh-oh...