Jen Shah, the lavish star of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” has taken a plea deal in her fraud case after previously maintaining her innocence.
On Monday, the glamorous Bravo Housewife who showcased a life of opulence on-screen pleaded guilty to wire fraud. The 48-year-old appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan and reversed her previous not guilty plea. In her agreement with federal prosecutors, Shah admitted that she and others engaged in the elaborate telemarketing scheme that targeted seniors. She stated that she knew the scam “misled” victims and that her actions were illegal. She apologized for her actions.
Shah and her assistant Stuart Smith were arrested in March 2021. The duo was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Smith pleaded guilty last year and is awaiting sentencing. With her deal, Shah’s latter charge will be tossed out. She must also forfeit $6.5 million and pay restitution up to $9.5 million.
As she awaits her fate, Shah is still filming the forthcoming season of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” An insider told People that the show would continue filming Shah leading up to her sentencing since her fraud case is “a very big part of Jen’s story.”
“Producers don’t want us to stop following it now,” the insider added.
Shah’s sentencing is scheduled for November 28th. She is facing up to 14 years behind bars and has agreed not to appeal her sentence.
