Psychologist spots dark cognitive trait in string of reality star arrests… from Wendy Osefo to the Chrisleys and Teresa and Joe Giudice

On Friday, shockwaves were sent throughout the entire Bravo TV fan base as bombshell news broke about Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie, as it was revealed that they had both been arrested for multiple counts of felony fraud.

Wendy, 41, is now facing 16 charges – including seven felony charges for alleged false and misleading information fraud that involved more than $300, and a misdemeanor for allegedly making a false statement to an officer.

Her husband faces the same charges, as well as two additional felony counts – putting his total number of charges at 18.

After they were arrested, their representative issued a statement saying that they were both ‘back home’ and ‘look forward to their day in court.’

But Osefo’s arrest marks yet another reality TV couple who have been charged with shocking crimes.

In July 2022, Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisleystars of hit show Chrisley Knows Best, were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans.

They were also found guilty of tax evasion by hiding their earnings while showcasing an extravagant lifestyle.

Todd, 56, was held at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie, 52, was at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky – but in May, they were both given a lifetime pardon by President Donald Trump.

On Friday, serious shockwaves were sent throughout the entire Bravo TV fan base as bombshell news broke about Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie – as it was revealed that they had both been arrested for multiple counts of felony fraud

But as it was revealed that the Osefo’s had been arrested, it marks just yet another reality TV couple who have been charged with shocking crimes

In July 2022, Julie and Todd Chrisley , stars of hit show Chrisley Knows Best, were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans

So, what gives?

According to psychologists who spoke exclusively with Daily Mail, but who have not treated the celebrities, these stars all have one thing in common – and that’s the fact that they rose to fame nearly overnight.

‘They really did not have to work at their stardom,’ Licensed psychologist Dr. John Huber told Daily Mail exclusively.

‘Their fame came easy and we all know that humans do not value things that are perceived as being given and not earned,’ Dr. Huber continued.

‘They do not believe they are doing or getting anything they are not owed.’

Not to mention, in 2023, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah was sentenced to 78 months in prison for ‘running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme,’ which primarily targeted elderly and vulnerable people.

And that’s not even all the arrested reality stars that have been accounted for – Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her now ex-husband, Joe, served time in prison for fraud-related charges in 2015 and 2016.

A number of Real Housewives stars have also been arrested for DUI’s over the years, too – including Real Housewives of Potomac star, Karen Huger, who was recently released from jail after serving six months for a DUI, and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville, who reached a deal which included three years of probation after she pleaded ‘no contest.’

According to psychologists who spoke exclusively with Daily Mail, these stars all have one thing in common – and that’s the fact that they rose to fame nearly overnight

And that’s not even all the arrested reality stars that have been accounted for – Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her now ex-husband, Joe, served time in prison for fraud-related charges in 2015 and 2016

Not to mention, in 2023, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah was sentenced to 78 months in prison for ‘running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme,’ which primarily targeted elderly and vulnerable people

‘Fame has a way of making individuals believe they are more important than anyone else,’ Dr. Huber revealed exclusively to Daily Mail.

‘When you lose the anonymity of being normal you can easily develop a sense of extreme self worth also known as grandiosity,’ he shared.

But according to clinical psychologist Dr. Clara L. Fajardoin general, those who commit fraud often have a real lack of empathy for other people, famous or not.

‘Often committing fraud is a slippery slope,’ Dr. Fajardo told Daily Mail.

‘Initially, the person may have a thought that this would be wrong or perceived negatively by others, but their thinking often falls short of real empathy for others,’ she continued.

She said that this lack of empathy oftentimes traces far back, sometimes all the way into a person’s childhood.

‘If you trace back experiences, with that person, you may notice a lack of real empathy from them towards others. While they may have a performative ability to say “sorry,” they may lack a true desire or ability to understand how their actions affect others,’ she explained.

‘Lack of empathy if often wrongly attributed to social conditioning, such as growing up in an unempathetic household,’ the doctor shared.

Jen Shah, pictured above with her husband as he visits her during her incarceration, was a cast member on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Real Housewives of Potomac star, Karen Huger, was recently released from jail after serving six months for a DUI

However, Dr. Farjardo noted that when people are under certain stressors, they may have trouble making the right decisions.

She explained that ’empathy is a cognitive process’ rooted in something called ‘the empathy network.’

‘The empathy network is a network of brain structures that all have to do their job to work together and produce affective and cognitive empathy,’ the doctor shared.

She explained that in this network is the prefrontal cortex, which is the same area that ‘makes decisions and uses judgement,’ comparing it to a mental filter.

‘When someone is under stress or pressure, for instance financial or relationship stress or pressure, it’s harder for them to do this sorting process usefully or correctly,’ the doctor explained.

‘All people who commit crimes justify their actions, and they may be correct about the pressures they are under but wrong about the solutions for solving their problems,’ she added.

Now, it’s unclear exactly what the fate of the Osefo’s will be, and whether or not they will be convicted and serve jail time for their alleged crimes.

The pair had claimed designer bags and jewelry were stolen from their property while the family was away on vacation during an alleged April 2024 burglary, as police have learned several of the belongings worth $20k had allegedly been returned to the stores they had been purchased at for a ‘full refund’ prior to when they said the robbery had occurred.

‘It happened because my family was away on spring break,’ the 41-year-old Bravo star stated. ‘It was our spring break trip with the kiddos and I was just so heartbroken’

They are now accused by prosecutors of claiming a $450,000 personal property loss with an insurance company.

Daily Mail reached out to the Osefos for comment on Friday but did not immediately hear back.

During an episode of the Gabbing With Gib podcast last September, Wendy had even gotten into detail about the alleged incident.

‘It happened because my family was away on spring break,’ the 41-year-old Bravo star stated. ‘It was our spring break trip with the kiddos and I was just so heartbroken.’

Wendy and Eddie tied the knot in 2011 and are parents to three children: Karter, 12, and Kruz, nine, and Kamrynn, six.

The TV personality claimed that the incident took place shortly before filming Real Housewives and had left her ‘uneasy.’

‘We had just been violated so to speak. It was the worst thing and so unexpected especially since from my vantage point and from the investigator’s vantage point it was targeted.’

The reality star expressed that the neighborhood had been relatively safe for many years.

‘Over 20 years there has been no burglary, like, nothing. It’s so heartbreaking and again going back to my earlier statement at my core (what) centers me is motherhood. My first thought was my kids.’

Wendy further called the alleged burglary ‘gut wrenching’ and explained that their home was now ‘Fort Knox.’