Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jennifer Shah faces federal fraud charges for an elaborate telemarketing scheme.
Shah, along with her assistant, Stuart Smith, allegedly ran a nationwide telemarketing plot that involved defrauding hundreds of victims, many of them senior citizens.
Federal prosecutors say that the duo and several other accomplices sold their victims so-called “‘business services’ in connection with the Victims’ purported online businesses.” The indictment against the wealthy housewife says that the plot was a “widespread, coordinated effort to traffic in lists of potential victims, or ‘leads,’ many of whom had previously made an initial investment to create an online business with other Participants.”
Shah and Smith have both been charged with one count of “conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing through which they victimized ten or more persons over the age of 55.” If convicted, they could face 30 years in prison. They both were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a separate sentence of 20 years.
The two were arrested on Tuesday and appeared in court, where Prosecutors requested “standard conditions” for Shah and Smith to be released. Both are not allowed to leave Utah except to travel to New York for additional hearings. Neither has entered a plea.
