‘Real Housewives’ star Jen Shah sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in fraud case
Written by ABC Audio. All rights reserved. on January 6, 2023
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member Jennifer Shah has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in connection with a telemarketing fraud case.
Shah, 49, pleaded guilty in July 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was ordered to forfeit $6.5 million after previously pleading not guilty. She must also pay restitution to victims of the nationwide telemarketing scheme that prosecutors said targeted elderly, vulnerable victims.
Federal prosecutors had requested the reality star serve 10 years in prison; the defense said she should serve no more than three.
“Ms. Shah is a good woman who crossed a line. She accepts full responsibility for her actions and deeply apologizes to all who have been harmed,” said Shah’s defense attorney, Priya Chaudhry, in a statement at the time. “Jen pled guilty because she wants to pay her debt to society and put this ordeal behind her and her family.”
Federal prosecutors countered, “Despite the defendant’s best efforts, she got caught. She then went on a public offensive and tried to profit off the charges by selling ‘Justice for Jen’ merchandise.”
They added, “She pled guilty at the eleventh hour, only after receiving the Government’s trial exhibits and witness statements. In light of her conduct and her post-arrest behavior, her belated expressions of remorse ring hollow.”
The defense has portrayed her antics as play for the reality TV cameras.
In December, a judge ordered her to forfeit dozens of designer handbags, a Lanvin fox, mink and leather belted stole and her collection of posh jewelry as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
The 108 items were seized in March 2021 in a search of Shah’s home. The inventory included scores of counterfeit bags and jewelry stamped with fake Chanel, Gucci, Bulgari and Hermès labels.
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