"The Real Housewives of New York" star Luann de Lesseps is in more legal trouble.
On Thursday, the 54-year-old was taken into custody for violating her probation. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, she admitted to the violation, which led a Palm Beach County judge to add more terms to her probation.
As part of the new terms, she must participate in weekly counseling sessions via phone, attend monthly psychiatric sessions, take medicine to treat alcoholism, and have a Breathalyzer in her car.
During her face-to-face with the judge, she was accused of not taking her probation seriously and failing a sobriety test.
While she was handcuffed briefly, Luann was released and did not serve any jail time. In a statement to People magazine, she said, "I’m glad the judge was understanding once made aware of the evidence provided and I was then released. I am now looking forward to completing my remaining few months of probation. I want to put this behind me and move forward with my life.”
After Luann was taken into custody, her "RHONY" castmate Dorinda Medley told Page Six, "I was heartbroken and I wish her well. I know it’s a terribly hard journey, and we are all rooting for her. I lit a candle for her yesterday.”
Dorinda emphasized, "I know she probably can’t believe it now... there is always (some) wonderful, positive thing that will come out of it.”
In April, probation officers accused de Lesseps of violating her probation twice — failing "to provide sufficient documentation of completed AA meetings" and failing an alcohol test. In a report, officers claimed that de Lesseps admitted to "drinking 2 glasses of mimosas after a performance she had in Chicago." She denied that she violated the probation, asking a judge to force prosecutors to turn over evidence of her failed test results, including "reports or statements of experts made in connection with this particular case, including results of physical or mental examinations and of scientific tests, experiments or comparisons," The Blast reported.
Though she declined outpatient treatment and an alcohol-monitoring device for her ankle, Luann told People magazine, "I take my sobriety very seriously and like many in my situation, it is a daily struggle. I remain committed to doing whatever it takes to continue living a healthy, sober lifestyle.”
Last year, Luann reached a plea deal relating to her Palm Beach arrest in 2017. As part of the deal, she pleaded guilty to battery on an officer, disorderly intoxication, and trespassing, and was placed under probation for a year. Under the terms of her probation, she was required to pay all applicable fines and court costs, perform 50 hours of community service, attend two AA meetings per week, and go to a Victim Impact Class staged by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, as well as refrain from drinking any alcohol or consuming any illegal drugs.
In 2018, Luann opened up about her life after her arrest, which was followed by a stint in rehab. She told "Extra" in NYC, "I've learned a lot... It was a rough thing to go through personally and embarrassing and something that I'm not proud of. I'm not perfect, I screwed up, and I hope that people can see that.”
According to a pal, Luann has completed many of the probation requirements. The friend told People, "She’s remained positive and hopeful along this journey, and has already completed her community service and her MADD course. She continues to attend AA meetings on a regular basis, too. Her friends are all continuing to rally behind her, and know that sobriety is one day at a time.”
De Lesseps' probation will end on August 28.
While on probation, Luann has been performing on her Countess and Friends national tour. Her next performance is in Atlanta on May 30.
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