SUGAR LAND, Texas – For the first time since losing the rights to her husband's death benefits and being charged with felony theft, Nikki Araguz spoke out only to KPRC Local 2.
"I feel like I am being targeted, and it's insane to me," said Araguz.
She said she's fuming because she feels the latest theft case where a woman said Araguz drugged her and stole her Rolex after meeting her at an Upper Kirby restaurant and bar is taking away from the real issue, especially when she claims she's innocent.
"These allegations are wild," Araguz said. "I can't make comments about the current case, but I know that today in court my criminal history was addressed. I admit I have made mistakes in my past. I deeply regret some of the choices that I have made."
Adding to her frustration, on May 26 she lost the legal battle over her late husband's death benefits after a judge ruled that her marriage to Wharton firefighter Thomas Araguz was not valid.
The judge's order came after the fallen firefigher's family said the widow shouldn't collect the money because Araguz was born a man.
"It was like a punch in the stomach. I literally collapsed and felt exactly the way I did when I found out my husband died in that fire," said Araguz.
Araguz also had something to say to people who believe she's using her husband's death to cash in on things like her new reality TV show and book deal.
"You don't know, and you have no clue," Araguz said. "So pass judgment on me if you choose, but without the knowledge of what's happening, how can you?"