Nida had St. Julien open UPS mailboxes and bank checking accounts using those fake identities, deposit those checks, then pocket the money.
Later, he created fake auto dealerships and then get auto loans for phantom cars.
The U.S. Secret Service, working with the state consumer protection agency, caught St. Julien first, then was able to use her to retrieve Apollo Nida’s laptop with so much evidence that he could not deny participation.
Nida said in court that he takes “full responsibility for my actions” and expressed regret for hurting his family and any individuals and institutions affected by his fraud. “It was a dumb situation I put myself in,” he said.
He did provide some context for his actions. In 2009, Nida had just left prison after 5 years for federal racketeering charges related to auto title fraud. He and Phaedra Parks married and she soon signed on to be part of “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
He claimed his wife was earning far more money than him and he felt pressure to keep up. (He cited a $600,000 contract she signed).