'Dance Moms' Star Abby Lee Miller to Plead Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges

Abby Lee Miller, star of Lifetime reality dance show Dance Moms, is set to plead guilty to federal charges on fraud next week in Pittsburgh.

The television personality from the popular show about children's training in dance and show business reportedly perpetrated bankruptcy fraud. She also allegedly tried to sneak over $10,000 worth of Australian currency into the United States without reporting it to the proper authorities.

Terrence McVerry, a U.S. District Judge, scheduled the guilty proclamations from Miller for this coming Monday, June 27. Just before the court announcement, the famous dance instructor released a statement to the Associated Press accepting responsibility for the indictments, which was delivered via her Pittsburgh-area defense attorney, Robert Ridge: 

"Events over the past several months have been extremely challenging for me, my family, my friends and most important, my students. Because of this I made the very difficult decision to close the door on this chapter of my life by accepting responsibility for mistakes I have made along the way," the statement said.

Reportedly, Miller filed for bankruptcy back in 2010, even before Dance Moms ever aired. At some point thereafter, she attempted to convert the aforementioned sum of Australian money to American dollars in secret. Federal investigations into her finances began after a bankruptcy lawyer caught her show on TV and surmised that her claimed $9,000-a-month income was a fraudulent sum.

Fox News reports the further detail that "Miller was first charged last fall with illegally trying to hide $775,000 worth of income from the Lifetime network reality show and spinoff projects during her Chapter 11 bankruptcy." 

Dance Moms focused on Miller's Abby Lee Dance Company studios, where she trained young girls in the ways of modern dance. The shows sixth season finished airing just last month. It remains to be seen if a seventh season will materialize.

Below, watch a harrowing scene from Dance Moms.

We want to hear from you. Do you think Abby Lee Miller is guilty of the fraud charges? Are you fan of the Dance Moms television show? Let us know your feelings on the topic in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

TagsAbby Lee Miller, Dance Moms