‘Real Housewives’ star Jen Shah pleads guilty in fraud case, faces years in jail

A Real Housewives has pleaded guilty in a huge fraud case after previously insisting she was innocent. She now faces years behind bars.

A US reality TV star has pleaded guilty in a major fraud case despite initially insisting she had done nothing wrong.

Star of show The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Jen Shahappeared in front of US District Judge Sidney Stein on Monday morning US time in a New York court for a surprise hearing, during which she changed her previous not guilty plea, according to documents obtained by the New York Post.

Since the celebrity pleaded guilty to count one, conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing, the US lawyer agreed to drop count two, conspiracy to commit money laundering.

11:21 am - Jen Shah formally enters plea of guilty on telemarketing conspiracy count.
Judge Stein accepts plea and sets sentencing date on November 28, the Monday after Thanksgiving.

— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) July 11, 2022

Justice Stein made sure Shah, 48, understood the change and that she 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 $US9.5 million ($A14.1m). Prior to the one count being dropped, she had faced 50 years in prison and was scheduled to go to trial on July 18.

Her sentencing is now scheduled for November. The reality TV star, who had vehemently denied the charges against her, apologised for her actions and admitted wrongdoing in the court on Monday.

Jen Shah is facing years behind bars after changing her plea to guilty. Picture: Bravo.

When asked what she did, Shah 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,” according to Matthew Russell Lee of website Inner City Press.

She also admitted she knew what she was doing was “wrong and illegal.”

SHOWTIME! #RHOSLCpic.twitter.com/bEOEdvlZQl

— Jen Shah (@TheRealJenShah) September 13, 2021

Shah’s lawyer didn’t immediately respond to the New York Post’s request for comment.

Shah allegedly scammed hundreds of people out of money, targeting the elderly in particular, through a widespread telemarketing scheme.

The star, who was spotted in New York City last week drenched in Gucci apparel, has yet to address her new plea on social media.

Jen Shah had previously professed her innocence. Picture: The NY Post / Instagram

Shah’s March 2021 arrest was filmed and aired on Season 2 of RHOSLC. Season 3 began shooting earlier this year with Shah, but it’s unclear whether TV channel Bravo had still been filming her in recent days.

Shah previously said that she was “fighting this” during the Real Housewives reunion, which aired in March. “I will fight because No. 1, I’m innocent and No. 2, I’m going to f – king represent every other person out there that can’t fight and hasn’t been able to,” she continued.

This article originally was published by The NY Post and was republished here with permission.