Reality TV actor pleads guilty in multi-million dollar scheme

ATLANTA — Apollo Nida, who starred with his wife Pheadra Parks on the TV reality show "Real Housewives of Atlanta," pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday of orchestrating a $2.3 million complex criminal enterprise spanning four years and harming over 50 victims.
 
"This defendant 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," said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. 
 
According to the U.S. attorney, the stolen checks involved in the scheme included United States Treasury Checks, as well as checks stolen from the pension funds of Delta Airlines.
 
In addition, the conspirators obtained funds by filing fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and making fraudulent claims against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
Nida, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud. He apologized to the court, and said he takes full responsibility for his actions.
 
"I was doing it to sustain a lifestyle and everything that was going on," Nida said.
 
A female co-conspirator was convicted and sentence last month to five years in prison.
 
Nida's sentencing is scheduled for July. The former reality TV star could face up to 30 years in prison.

WSBTV