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Miller, 50, who appeared in U.S. District Court in
Pittsburgh, was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on
charges of bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets
and false bankruptcy declarations.
If convicted, Miller faces up to five years in prison and a
$250,000 fine for each of the 20 counts against her, U.S.
Attorney David Hickton said in a statement.
Miller had filed for bankruptcy in December 2010 to reorganize
her dance studio, Abby Lee Dance Co in the western Pennsylvania
municipality of Penn Hills. She is accused of scheming to
defraud the bankruptcy court by concealing income she earned in
2012 and 2013, that was deposited into undisclosed bank
accounts.
Miller, whose company exited bankruptcy in 2013, denies that she
knowingly concealed income.
"Let's hope they get the numbers of the expenses that went out,"
she said when asked if she had any comments on the case.
"Dance Moms," which is filming its sixth season, follows the
lives of competitive young Pittsburgh-area dancers and
highlights tensions between Miller and their parents.
Questions about the accused fraudulent activity were first
raised after a bankruptcy judge happened to watch one of
Miller's spin-off shows and doubted her claim that she was
cash-strapped, the indictment said.
Federal investigators say they found Miller's emails to a joint
venture partner in 2013 with the subject line "Lets make money
and keep me out of jail," directing them to "not raise any red
flags" and "don't put cash in the bank," according to the
indictment.
Inside the courthouse, Miller joked with her attorney, telling
him to "get a stylist next time." Miller, who wore all black and
carried a Prada purse, declined to answer questions outside and
instead promoted her shows and related merchandise. She drove
off in a blue Mazda 3.
Miller has been released from custody but must notify the court
prior to international travel. A trial date has not been set.
(Reporting by Elizabeth Daley; Editing by Laila Kearney and
Richard Chang)
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