Abby Lee Miller, the notoriously strict dance instructor from the hit reality TV show Dance Moms, has been a figure of public fascination for years. Beyond her demanding teaching style and on-screen drama, Miller’s life took a dramatic turn when she faced legal troubles, culminating in a prison sentence. Recently, Miller has revisited this period, claiming her time in jail and the preceding investigation were pivotal, even linking her current reliance on a wheelchair to her prison experience. But what exactly led to Abby Lee Miller going to jail? The answer lies in a case of bankruptcy fraud that unfolded as her fame was rising.
The Charges: Bankruptcy Fraud Explained
In October 2015, Abby Lee Miller’s legal woes came to light when she was indicted on charges of bankruptcy fraud. The accusations centered around Miller’s alleged attempts to conceal a significant portion of her income – a staggering $775,000 – during bankruptcy proceedings. This income was reportedly earned from her Lifetime series, Dance Moms, its spin-off Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, and various other projects. Prosecutors claimed that Miller had hidden these earnings in secret bank accounts between 2012 and 2013, a period coinciding with the burgeoning success of Dance Moms.
Adding to the complexity of the case, Miller was also accused of another illegal act related to financial conduct. In August 2014, she allegedly divided $120,000 in Australian currency, earned from a tour in Australia, into separate plastic bags. She then purportedly instructed friends to carry these bags in their luggage when returning to the United States. This action violated U.S. law, which mandates reporting the import of foreign currency exceeding $10,000.
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Abby Lee Miller attends a Netflix screening, reflecting on her career and past legal issues.
The Trial and Sentencing: From Dance Studio to Prison
Facing these serious charges, Abby Lee Miller pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud in June 2016. By admitting guilt, she acknowledged her role in financial misconduct related to her bankruptcy case. The following year, in May 2017, Miller received her sentence: one year and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. In addition to incarceration, she was fined $40,000, ordered to forfeit the $120,000 Australian dollars, and required to provide a DNA sample. Two months later, in July 2017, Abby Lee Miller reported to prison to begin serving her sentence.
During her time behind bars, Miller offered glimpses into her prison life through social media. In a January 2018 Instagram post, she expressed remorse for her actions, stating, “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 also countered reports of preferential treatment, asserting she was not treated like a “princess” and was striving to become a “better person” through the experience.
Miller’s Claims: Witch Hunt and Health Issues
Years after her release, Abby Lee Miller has continued to speak about her prison ordeal, most recently on Bethenny Frankel’s Just B podcast in May 2024. In this appearance, while admitting she “did things wrong” and “made bad decisions,” Miller characterized the investigation into her finances as a “witch hunt.” She further alleged that the judge presiding over her case had a wife who was a Dance Moms “super fan,” suggesting this personal connection influenced the judge’s rulings and fueled the perception that she possessed substantial wealth from her television career. Miller maintains that her bankruptcy filing predated the success of Dance Moms, implying the scale of her income was misconstrued.
Most strikingly, Miller claimed a direct link between her prison sentence and her current need for a wheelchair. She stated, “Oh, that’s why I’m in a wheelchair, because in prison I was punished and taken off all my medication, cold turkey.” This statement suggests Miller believes the withdrawal from her regular medication while incarcerated contributed to her health issues and subsequent mobility impairment.
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(L-R) Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler with Melissa Gisoni, highlighting figures mentioned in Abby Lee Miller’s bankruptcy fraud case.
The Aftermath and Current Status
Subsequent to her prison term, Abby Lee Miller faced further significant health challenges. In April 2018, she underwent emergency surgery initially thought to be for a spinal infection. However, the diagnosis was far more serious: Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Miller bravely battled cancer, undergoing ten rounds of chemotherapy and extensive rehabilitation. By 2019, she announced she was cancer-free and expressed hope of walking again.
Despite the hardships, Abby Lee Miller remains resilient and forward-looking. She has spoken about her desire to continue working and secure her financial future. Her journey, marked by both professional success and personal setbacks, including her time in prison for bankruptcy fraud, continues to captivate public attention. While the reasons behind her health struggles are complex and multifaceted, her recent claims have brought renewed focus on the impact of her prison experience and the events that led to her incarceration.
