Six years after her prison sentence, Abby Lee Miller, the well-known figure from Dance Moms, has recently spoken out about how she believes her time in jail contributed to her current reliance on a wheelchair. In a recent appearance on Bethenny Frankel’s Just B podcast on May 7th, the 58-year-old reality TV personality revisited her 2016 incarceration for bankruptcy fraud, offering her perspective on the events that led to her imprisonment and its aftermath.
While acknowledging her mistakes and poor decisions concerning her financial dealings, Miller characterized the investigation into her finances as a “witch hunt.” She further suggested that the presiding judge in her case had a conflict of interest, claiming his wife was an avid follower of Dance Moms. Miller implied this connection influenced the judge’s perception of her wealth and the subsequent ruling, especially considering the promotion of her spin-off series at the time. She stated, “But I filed [for bankruptcy] before the show ever started,” aiming to clarify the timeline of her financial struggles against her television success. Then, drawing a stark connection between her legal troubles and health issues, Miller declared, “Oh, that’s why I’m in a wheelchair, because in prison I was punished and taken off all my medication, cold turkey.”
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Abby Lee Miller at the special screening for Netflix’s ‘A Man in Full’, reflecting on her career and past challenges.
The legal saga that led to Abby Lee Miller’s jail time began in October 2015 when she was formally charged with attempting to conceal $775,000 of income. This income was reportedly earned from her Lifetime series, Dance Moms, its spin-off Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, and other ventures during bankruptcy proceedings. Prosecutors alleged that Miller hid these funds in undisclosed bank accounts between 2012 and 2013. By June 2016, facing mounting evidence, she pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud, setting the stage for her sentencing.
Adding to her legal woes, Miller was also implicated in an incident involving $120,000 earned during an Australian tour in August 2014. According to accusations, she instructed associates to divide the sum into smaller amounts, each under $10,000, and carry them in their luggage to avoid reporting requirements when entering the United States. This action itself was a violation of currency reporting laws. As part of her plea agreement, Miller agreed to forfeit the $120,000 Australian dollars.
On the podcast, Miller shifted blame for the Australian currency incident towards Melissa Gisoni, the mother of Dance Moms stars Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler. “That was Melissa [Gisoni],” Miller claimed, asserting that Gisoni was responsible for the decision to divide the funds. “Melissa was all in charge of all the money. I taught the dance classes, they sold the merchandise.” Miller recounted Gisoni’s alleged plan: “‘Oh, we’re gonna bring this money home. And this is what we’re gonna do. Everybody’s gonna take 10,000, Abby. This is what we’re gonna do.'” She questioned the necessity of this scheme, pointing out, “Why, in God’s name? I was paying $650,000.” (Melissa Gisoni was never charged in connection to the bankruptcy fraud case and has not publicly commented on Miller’s allegations.)
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Maddie Ziegler and Mackenzie Ziegler with their mother Melissa Gisoni at a red carpet event, figures central to Abby Lee Miller’s Dance Moms narrative.
In May 2017, the court handed down Abby Lee Miller’s sentence: one year and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. She was also fined $40,000, ordered to pay the $120,000 judgment, and required to provide a DNA sample. Miller began her prison term in July 2017. From inside, she shared updates with fans, including a January 2018 Instagram post reflecting on her situation. “Sometimes in life you make mistakes. I trusted the wrong people and didn’t pay any attention to things I should of. I’m more than sorry for the mistakes I have made,” she wrote in the caption, acknowledging her errors and expressing remorse.
“My world flipped upside down when I had to enter prison,” she continued, dispelling rumors of preferential treatment. “I did so with grace, the stories you read about me [being] a princess are untrue. I have made friends with both inmates and staff, I’ve tried to better myself, participated in anything offered to me and I am a better person for this experience.”
However, Miller’s health took a dramatic turn in April 2018 while incarcerated. Initially believed to be a spinal infection requiring emergency surgery, she was subsequently diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Following her release, Miller underwent extensive treatment, including ten rounds of chemotherapy and prolonged rehabilitation, in her determined effort to regain her ability to walk. Speaking to PEOPLE in 2019 after achieving cancer-free status, Miller voiced her aspirations for the future: “I have goals. I have dreams and I want to see them come to fruition. I want to retire and want to be able to live out my days financially secure. That’s what everyone wants.” Her recent podcast statements add a new layer to her narrative, linking her prison experience directly to her ongoing health challenges.
