Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Apollo Nida and Phaedra Park’s divorce got complicated this week as a judge reversed the couple’s divorce judgment. Nida was at the center of controversy last year as federal authorities charged the former star with identity theft and bank fraud.
The complaint came from the U.S. District Attorney on January 21, 2016.
Nida was accused of creating fake companies and using other people’s identities to open bank accounts, obtain loans and defraud banks and credit lenders. The star previously served a five year prison term between 2004 and 2009 for auto title fraud.
Parks and Nida married in 2009 and have two children together.
The couple’s complex divorce includes the federal requirement that Nida pay $2 million in restitution to his victims. Reports from RadarOnline show that Nida paid back $118,406 to his victims thus far. U.S. marshalls seized Nida’s assets and sold off a 1964 Buick Skylark for $6,500. Other assets were seized and sold off to pay off his restitution charges.
Nida was sentenced to eight years in jail on charges of wire, mail and bank fraud.
Parks filed for divorce from her husband, but a judge nullified the divorce this week stating that Nida was not informed of the divorce hearing.
The ruling puts that couple back to the initial stages of the divorce. Nida is fighting for his portion of the couple’s high-end home and other personal property. The couple’s home is worth several millions of dollars.
Nida’s actions in jail contradict his dragging on of divorce proceedings. Nida met a woman from New Jersey while in prison and got engaged last year while in prison. He is still legally married to Parks. Unable to buy his new love a ring, she was photographed wearing a makeshift ring made of a hair-tie and paper towel.
Parks is working with her attorney to find a way to fast-track the divorce. She reaffirms that she wants to move forward and raise the couple’s two children in a happy and healthy environment.
TMZ reports that the judge nullified the divorce because Nida was under the impression that he would be able to be involved in the divorce proceedings. His stint in prison makes going to the divorce proceedings a non-option.
The judge also found discrepancies in the divorce filing including Nida’s name spelled “Nita.” The judge also states that Nida was not notified that the divorce was finalized or received finalized divorce papers. He was not alerted of a final divorce hearing.
Parks filed for divorce from her husband in October 2014. Her husband’s high-profile trial held up the divorce.
Nida filed a divorce petition in December 2016 asking for joint legal custody of the couple’s two sons: Dylan 3 and Ayden, 6.
Nida suggests that his wife is hiding assets from the divorce proceedings and states that he deserves more than is being given to him in the divorce. He will have the legal right to investigate any assets he believes have been withheld during the divorce proceedings.
