‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’ Star Jen Shah Says ‘This Journey Has Shown Me Who My True Friends Are’ As She Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud
‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’ Star Jen Shah Says ‘This Journey Has Shown Me Who My True Friends Are’ As She Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud
Update #2 (April 3rd): The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Jen Shah has entered a not-guilty plea to fraud charges. The reality star is accused of stealing from hundreds of victims in a telemarketing scam.
A New York City federal judge gave her stricter bail conditions once a prosecutor alluded to her hiding profits from her alleged scheme. She was also said to be a flight risk. Federal agents seized debit cards from her home that were connected to the account of a shell company, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kiersten Fletcher pointed out during the hearing. She added,
“[Jen Shah has] not demostrated a willingness to disclose her assets.”
The reality star is still out on $1 million bail that was secured with $250,000 in cash or property. Two additional people co-signed on it. She and her assistant, Stuart Smith, are also not allowed to speak with one another, leave Utah, or take part in any telemarketing. Smith pleaded not guilty as well.
She’s also taken to Instagram to repost messages from fans that read,
“Free Jen Shah”
She added,
“Thank you for being loyal, believing in me and not believing the hype. This journey has shown me who my true friends are…”
Original Story (March 31st): A popular BRAVO reality star is facing a serious legal controversy. According to federal prosecutors, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah is facing federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a purported long-running telemarketing scam.
Reportedly, Jennifer Shah was arrested Tuesday (March 30th) in Salt Lake City on the indictment out of Manhattan federal court. Stuart Smith, who is said to be her assistant, appeared with Shah on “Real Housewives,” was also indicted in the alleged scheme.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement,
“Jennifer Shah, who portrays herself as a wealthy and successful businessperson on ‘reality’ television, and Stuart Smith, who is portrayed as Shah’s ‘first assistant,’ allegedly generated and sold ‘lead lists’ of innocent individuals for other members of their scheme to repeatedly scam. In actual reality and as alleged, the so-called business opportunities pushed on the victims by Shah, Smith, and their co-conspirators were just fraudulent schemes, motivated by greed, to steal victims’ money”.
Photographers spotted Jennifer Shah outside after appearing in court.
She has yet to release a statement.