But it was Maher’s prior relationship with theRHONJstar that set her castmates off in the season 1 finale.
The scandalous moment transformed the fledglingReal Housewivesfranchise from a novel experiment in reality programming to a ratings juggernaut.
Merrill eventually changed her name to “Danielle Staub.”
Danielle Staub, Teresa Giudice, and the book that flipped the table on ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’.Credit:Bravo (3)
Maher decided to tell his side of the story on “Housewives Gone Wild.”
Maher recounted that he was embedded with a Miami-based drug dealer named John in 1986.
John one day told Maher, “I want you to meet this girl, Beverly Ann Merrill.
Danielle Staub moments before the table flip on ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’.by Andrei Jackamets/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
She’s really interesting, you’re going to love her.”
“You know what the Colombians would do if they ever found out I was an informant?”
Maher further claimed Staub never filled him in on why she was facing arrest.
“I felt sorry for her, and I wanted to help her, and I did.
She eventually served five years probation.
Entertainment Weeklyhas reached out to Staub for comment.
Staub returned for the show’s second season, but departed thereafter.
Staub revisited the drama aroundCop Without a Badgein a 2024 interview on theStraightened Outpodcast.
“I wanted to bring it up.
Danielle Staub and Teresa Giudice after becoming friends again in ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ season 9.Greg Endries/Bravo/NBCU/Getty
“So did I want that to happen?
I wanted to be able to speak to them as grown-ups.”
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