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“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud charges in a federal court, ahead of her July 18 trial date.
In March 2021, federal prosecutors accused Shah, 48, of running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme. The Bravo star initially entered a not guilty plea in April 2021 on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
However, while appearing in front of federal Judge Sidney Stein on Monday morning, Shah entered a guilty plea to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.
“In 2012 to March 2021 in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere I agreed with others to commit wire fraud,” the “RHOSLC” cast member told the court in a prepared statement.
“I knew this was wrong. I knew many people were harmed, and I’m so sorry.”
Shah also admitted that she knew what she was doing was “wrong and illegal.”
Prosecutors accused Shah and her “first assistant” Stuart Smith of producing and selling lists of individuals for others to scam out of money.
“Shah and Smith flaunted their lavish lifestyle to the public as a symbol of their ‘success.’ In reality, they allegedly built their opulent lifestyle at the expense of vulnerable, often elderly, working-class people,” Peter Fitzhugh, Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge, said following Shah and Smith’s arrest.
Prosecutors went on to claim Shah would use the name of her relatives on financial records to avoid connecting herself to the scheme.
The reality star also allegedly used encrypted apps to communicate with co-conspirators and instructed one to lie about her role in a deposition with the Federal Trade Commission.
Shah faces up to 14 years in prison and could be ordered to pay restitution of up to $9.5 million.
Photo: Andrew Peterson/Bravo
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