Prison Song: 10 Things To Know About Apollo Nida [Photos] - Page 5

Old habits dying hard has Apollo Edard Nida back to a familiar place. Nida, 35, was sentenced to eight years in prison yesterday (July 8) for an elaborate multi-million money scheme defrauding pension holders all around the county.

As a cast member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Nida’s family life has been put on display for the last four years. But behind the reality TV cameras, and unbeknownst to his lawyer wife, Nida created fake companies and fraudulent bank accounts to steal some $2.8 million from victims.

The crime spree came to an end in January of this year. He surrendered to federal authorities on fraud charges and freed on $25,000 bail. During his time out Nida continued to appear on the RHOA and the reunion show. Now, with eight years staring him down (although he could’ve gotten up to 30 years), the father of two is ready to put the whole thing behind him, according to his lawyer’s statement to People. “Apollo is elated that this proceeding is past him and is no longer handing over his head. It meant everything to him that his mother and brother spoke on his behalf. He’s OK, and will get through this.”

It’s not uncommon for convicted felons to return to the criminal life, and in Nida’s case it’s hard to tell if he’s truly a victim of his environment, as he has claimed, or merely a skilled career criminal.

Hit the gallery for 10 things to know about him.

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Photo: Instagram

Homegrown
Nida was born in Atlanta and raised by a single mother. His father lived in Texas.

Second Childhood

Criminal behavior was brought on by a tumultuous home life, which included no steady residence, and watching his mother overdose on heroine in front of him.

School Daze
Around the same time that Nida graduated high school, he met wife Phaedra Parks. He was 17, she was 24.

The Big House
Nida was convicted on racketeering charges in July 2004.

Reduced Time
He served five years of an 18-year- sentence for the whir collar scheme. He was released in May 2009.

Wedding Bells
Six months after he was release, Nida married Parks. The couple welcomed their first son, in 2010.

Fitness Future
Nida is a certified fitness trainer and founder of Nida Fitness. He and Parks worked together for the Phine Body by Phaedra and Apollo video workout series.

Criminal Pressures
Nida has said that he got back into crime in order to keep up with his wife’s Real Housewives salary, and the extravagant lifestyles displayed on the shows.

Long Gone Missing

Based on his criminal past, Nida will not be released unless he served 85% of his latest sentence, which is around 6 and a half years.