Ariana Biermann is addressing the buzz surrounding her prior arrest head-on. The 23-year-old reality star, mere weeks after finalizing a deal to put an end to the years-long legal saga, opened up about her 2022 DUI charge during an appearance on the June 9th episode of Gia Giudice’s iHeartRadio podcast, Casual Chaos.
"I truly detest that all of this is coming to light now," she lamented. "I didn't do it, and I was dead-set against accepting any deal or compromising in any way. I turned down countless offers because I knew in my heart, 'No way. I didn't do this. I'm going to fight this to the end.'"
"The relentless anxiety of waiting for this ordeal to conclude over the past three years, the misleading headlines, and the misconceptions—everyone assumes I'm on probation for the next two years and that I have a DUI on my record," she continued, frustration evident in her voice. "I don't have one. The charge was dismissed entirely. I'm completely in the clear."
As previously reported by PEOPLE, Biermann was apprehended in August 2022 after an officer responded to a collision involving the Mercedes G-Wagon she was driving and detected the scent of alcohol on her breath. Although she denied consuming alcoholic beverages, she admitted to using a THC vape pen the previous night, which was later found in her bag at the scene.
At the time, her attorney, Justin Spizman of Hawkins Spizman law firm, stated that Biermann denied any wrongdoing. "Ariana was involved in a minor fender bender. Upon the police's arrival, the investigating officer promptly initiated a DUI investigation," he explained in a statement. "Despite Ariana's repeated assertions that she was upset and anxious due to the minor accident, the officer erroneously concluded she was impaired by alcohol."
"That was simply not the case. She steadfastly denies these allegations and is determined to contest the charges because she is innocent," he added.
In May of this year, Biermann entered a no contest/guilty plea to reckless driving and possession of drug-related objects, in exchange for the prosecution dropping the charges of driving under the influence, underage drinking, and traffic violations.
"They presented me with this offer in August, and I thought, why not? I'll take it," she clarified to Giudice. "So be it. Let's move forward."
As part of the agreement, the Don’t Be Tardy alum was sentenced to two years of probation, 40 hours of community service, over $2,000 in fines, enrollment in a victim impact program, and was ordered to refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs.
"I'm literally going to get the best six-pack ever," Biermann joked, referring to her newfound sobriety and the potential for a fit physique.
Giudice, who is co-starring with Biermann in Next Gen NYC, agreed wholeheartedly: "Honestly, the silver lining for both Ariana and me is that she's going to get in the best shape of her life."
