Dr. Wendy Osefo, who stars in the hit Bravo drama “Real Housewives of Potomac,” has been hit with felony insurance fraud charges in Maryland, stemming from a burglary report she and her husband Eddie filed in April 2024 that investigators say was falsified.
A grand jury returned a 16-count indictment against the popular commentator and academic for lying to insurance agents and police in an attempt to gain payouts for $450,000 in allegedly stolen items. Eddie Osefo, an attorney and entrepreneur, is the subject of a separate 18-count indictment.
The Nigerian-American Catholic couple was arrested in Carroll County on Oct. 9 and were later released on $50,000 bond each.
“Deputies were suspicious of the circumstances of the burglary and records from stores where some of the items were purchased, along with social media and email accounts,” reads the indictment, which notes that the Osefos were facing outstanding debts.
“Investigation determined that numerous items that the Osefos claimed were stolen had been purchased then returned to the store where a full refund was provided prior to the alleged burglary… Additionally, while reviewing the social media Instagram account for Wendy Osefo, deputies observed photos of Wendy prior to the burglary wearing a diamond anniversary band on her left finger. This ring was reported stolen in the burglary. Then, after the reported burglary, on April 27, 2024, Wendy Osefo is wearing the same ring on her left finger.”
#RHOP star @WendyOsefo and her husband were arrested on 16 charges including insurance fraud. Here are the court documents. They allege the couple wrongfully reported their items were stolen in a burglary for financial purposes — citing the Osefos are in substantial debt. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/4e5R2R658M
— Matthew Torres (@News_MTorres) October 10, 2025
The indictment further alleges that email communications between the Osefos detailed a plot to add items to an insurance claim to reach their policy’s maximum coverage. Investigators claim to have later found “at least 15 items” in the Osefo home at the time of their arrest that were previously reported stolen.
According to investigators, the items mentioned in the insurance claims included designer handbags, a gold diamond anniversary band, a Dior shirt, a Gucci leather wallet, and some 50 other items they said were stolen from their home in Finksburg, Maryland. The Carroll County Sheriff's Office says there were no signs of a break-in and that the security systems at the residence recorded no suspicious activity.
“The Osefos initiated three separate insurance claims for the burglary and theft, Travelers Insurance, Jewelers Mutual Insurance and Homesite Insurance Company, for the alleged losses suffered while they were away,” reads the indictment.
“Edward Osefo gave recorded statements to two of the insurance companies regarding a list of stolen items he provided… He was asked if he had other insurance but failed to disclose to Homesite and Jewelers that he was also making a claim with Travelers Insurance.”
The charges against the Osefos come as the couple enjoys widespread success via the “Real Housewives” franchise, which they joined in 2020. Dr. Osefo, who has also worked as a political commentator and university administrator, holds degrees from Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, and Rutgers University-Camden, where she earned a PhD in 2016.
Osefo has been noted for representing a Black immigrant voice on “RHOP,” and for bringing a Catholic perspective to many of the show’s scenarios, which run the gamut from family life to business to social drama. The show’s tenth season premiered earlier this month, and Osefo was set to appear in a new spinoff, “Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition,” premiering Oct. 21.
Following news of their indictment, Bravo pulled the Osefos’ episode from their schedule, marking one of several career ventures now in jeopardy for the couple. Just one year into a teaching position at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Dr. Osefo resigned after her arrest, and Eddie could lose his business license if convicted of a felony. He could also be barred from practicing law in Maryland.
The Osefos did not respond to a request for comment from BCM.
The charges—which include felony insurance fraud and misdemeanors for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and making false statements to police—carry up to 15 years in prison for each felony count, up to one year in prison for each count of conspiracy, and up to 6 months in prison for false statements.
The Osefos are tentatively due in court on Friday, Nov. 7, for a preliminary hearing.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
