Apollo Nida, the husband of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks, was arrested on January 23, 2014 and charged with bank fraud and identity theft. Guest writer @QueTheCreator read through the reporting and put together a two part breakdown for Baller Alert readers. This is Part 1. Everything below is an allegation, and Nida has not been convicted of anything in this case.
What prosecutors allege
According to reporting from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Nida is accused of setting up fake companies to get into databases and collect people’s personal information. That information was then allegedly used to open bank accounts in the victims’ names and to take checks, including U.S. Treasury checks and retirement checks meant for Delta Airlines employees. Reports also say he allegedly opened a fake auto dealership and applied for auto loans using stolen identities.
The woman at the center of the case
A woman named Gayla was arrested in September 2013 and is described in reports as Nida’s aide in the alleged scheme. Reports say she pretended to be victims in order to open accounts and deposit bad checks, and that millions of dollars were linked to accounts tied to her. She reportedly identified Nida as the person behind the plan and told investigators that what she received was small compared to what he allegedly took in. Those are her claims as reported, and none of it has been tested in court.
Why his past matters
Atlanta Black Star reports that Nida served time from 2004 to 2009 for auto title fraud and remains on probation in that case. As @QueTheCreator points out, a prior record can matter at sentencing if someone is later convicted. Nobody has been convicted here, so that is a big if.
Where things stand
Nida is out on a $250,000 pretrial bond, and a preliminary hearing is set for February 12. At the time the reports cited here ran, neither Nida nor Parks had publicly commented on the allegations. None of the reports we reviewed accuse Parks of any wrongdoing.
Part 2 looks at what Parks said about her husband’s work on the Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion and how it compares with the charges.
Reporting referenced: Atlanta Journal Constitution and Atlanta Black Star.
