The Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefo’s husband, Eddie Osefo, could lose his license to practice law.
Us Weekly spoke exclusively to two attorneys, who warned that Eddie’s “at risk” of no longer being able to serve as an active lawyer in D.C. if he’s convicted of insurance fraud, conspiracy insurance fraud and making a false statement to a police officer in connection to his October 9 arrest, which saw both him and Wendy behind bars last week.
“Most States, including D.C., do institute discipline for attorneys convicted of fraud or other crimes of moral turpitude. Typically, they wait until resolution of [the] criminal case but in extreme cases they may ask criminal court to make not practicing law a condition of bond,” Texas criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett, who is not representing either Wendy or Eddie and does not have any connection to the case, told Us.
“Eddie Osefo is at risk of losing his license. A state bar agency could definitely revoke his law license, especially upon conviction,” he continued, noting that “generally, a license is always subject to review or revocation upon a felony arrest or conviction.”
Criminal defense attorney John W. Day, who also has no connection to the case, echoed his viewpoint.
“Just being charged with a felony does not automatically mean Eddie Osefo will lose his law license, but if he is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony — or a ‘serious crime’ which could include a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude — the Washington D.C. disciplinary board can seek to impose discipline on him, which might include disbarment,” Day told Us.
Wendy, 41, and Eddie, 41, were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, October 9, according to court documents obtained by Us. The reality TV couple were booked in Westminster, Maryland, and spent the night in jail until posting their bail, which was set at $50,000 each.
The charges stem from a reported burglary that allegedly happened at their home in April 2024. According to law enforcement, Wendy and Eddie claimed that several high-priced items, including designer bags and jewelry, were missing from their bedroom after the alleged incident.
However, Wendy was seen wearing one of the allegedly stolen rings on social media.
Upon further investigation, police determined that several other items the Osefos claimed were taken in the alleged robbery had been returned to their respective stores, “where a full refund was provided prior to the alleged burglary.”
Prosecutors also alleged that Wendy and Eddie claimed $450,000 in personal property loss through an insurance company.
Following their release, the RHOP stars issued statements through their representative.
“Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband, Edward Osefo, are back home safely with their family and in good spirits. They are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from friends, fans and colleagues,” their rep told Us on Friday, October 10. “The Osefos, alongside their legal team, look forward to their day in court. At this time, they respectfully ask for privacy as they focus on their family and the legal process ahead.”
Wendy joined the Bravo cast in 2020 during season 5 and often boasted about holding four degrees.
In the debut of season 10, which premiered on October 5, fans saw Wendy and Eddie making new additions to their home and bragging about how well his weed company, Happy Eddie, was doing.
The lawyer opened the cannabis company in 2023, capitalizing on a viral moment from the reality series in 2022 which showed how Eddie’s cheerful demeanor landed him the nickname “Happy Eddie.”
In January 2024, Wendy’s husband confirmed he was still a practicing attorney despite his cannabis company’s success, but admitted that his new venture “takes time away from work.”
Us also confirmed that the D.C. bar shows Eddie’s law license has been active since 2014.
Both Andy Cohen and fellow RHOP star Candiace Dillard Bassett reacted to Wendy and Eddie’s arrests.
“I know nothing of the charges more than you guys do,” Cohen, 57, said on his SiriusXM show, Andy Cohen Live, on Monday. “I’m sad about this.”
Dillard Bassett, 38, shared she was “shocked” and “sad” about the news. She also questioned if her RHOP costars were being “targeted.”
“We don’t know what the charges are for but we know that the Osefos have a very successful marijuana business,” she said last week. “They are providing jobs and opportunities for people of color in the area, in the DMV. My first thought is, ‘Are they being targeted, is this something that we should be thinking about?’”
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