‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’ Star Jen Shah Pleads Guilty In Telemarketing Fraud Case

Jen Shah

‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’ Star Jen Shah Pleads Guilty In Telemarketing Fraud Case

Television personality Jen Shah has retracted her previous not guilty plea by pleading guilty in her federal fraud case.

According to reports, “Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah appeared in a Manhattan, New York federal court for a surprise change of plea hearing on July 11. She switched her original plea of not guilty to guilty for her involvement in a nationwide telemarketing scheme.

Jen Shah

Jen Shah reportedly faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release, but her plea agreement called for only 11 to 14 years behind bars and restitution of up to $9.5 million. Entering the guilty plea means Jen will not stand trial. She was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing.

Per reports, the 48-year-old reality star admitted her wrongdoings to Judge Sidney H. Stein. When asked what she did, Jen responded:

“Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value. We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55. I am so sorry.”

The Bravo star also admitted she knew what she was doing was “wrong and illegal.”

As previously reported, Jen’s former legal team withdrew from her wire fraud case weeks ahead of the start of the trial. It is unclear why her lawyers pulled out of the case.

Jen and her personal assistant Stuart Smith, 43, allegedly scammed hundreds of people out of money, targeting the elderly in particular, through a widespread telemarketing scheme.

Jen Shah

Jen’s alleged role was to find victims to take advantage of and create a list of leads to issue to the telemarketing firm. She in turn allegedly received a portion of the profit. Her sentencing is now scheduled for November.

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[Sources: 1, 2]