'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud Charges; Requests Jury Trial

Dance Moms star, Abby Lee Miller, pleaded not guilty in federal court on November 2 to the 20 counts of fraud and asset concealment against her. At her arraignment, the Abby Lee Dance Company founder requested a jury trial after posting a $10,000 bond to remain on the streets.

The Lifetime star has been in hot water with the federal government following the revelation that her 2010 bankruptcy filings had hidden significant income gained from the popular reality series.

Outside the courthouse, Miller appeared cool and casual, using the opportunity of being surrounded by reporters to promote the Lifetime show that made her famous.

"Season 6 jackets are on sale on the website Wednesday," Miller said to the journalists waiting for her, as seen in footage from Pittsburgh's WTAE.

This prompted one reporter to ask, "Do you take these charges seriously?"

"Yes, very," Miller responded as she entered the Pittsburgh federal courthouse, the smile falling off her face. "Thank you."

Miller faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and/or five years incarceration for each of the 20 charges. That's a potential $5 million in fines and up to 100 years in prison if found guilty, although her legal team would likely have this reduced in the event of a guilty verdict.

Deadline reports that among the charges are claims that Miller had the Dance Moms production company, Collins Avenue Entertainment, make payments to her mother to further concealed income.

Miller wouldn't be the first reality star to spend time behind bars after the high-profile life of reality TV caused financial suspicion. Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Teresa Giudice, is currently serving a 15-month sentence on similar charges.

Still, Miller has had luck in court before. In 2014, Dance Mom Kelly Hyland pressed charges of defamation and assault against her that were dropped entirely -- only winning a lesser sum from Collins Avenue for damage to her house caused by filming. The alleged "assault" was caught by the show's cameras and remains one of Dance Moms' most memorable.