“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah pleaded guilty Monday in her federal fraud case, according to court documents obtained by Vidak For Congress.
Shah appeared before U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein at 10:30 a.m. ET in Manhattan federal court for a surprise hearing, in which she changed her previous not guilty plea.
Since the Bravolebrity pleaded guilty to count one, conspiracy to commit telemarketing fraud, the US attorney agreed to drop count two, conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Judge Stein made sure Shah, 48, understood the change and that she could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release, but her plea deal demanded only 11 to 14 years behind bars and restitution of up to $9.5 million.
Before the single count was over, she had been sentenced to 50 years in prison and was due to appear in court on July 18.
Her sentencing is now scheduled for November.
The reality TV star, who previously vehemently denied the charges against her, apologized for her actions and admitted on Monday that she had committed wrongdoing.
When asked what she was doing, Shah replied, “Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value. We used interstate phones and emails. I knew many of the buyers were over 55. I’m so sorry,” according to Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press†
She also admitted that she knew what she was doing was “wrong and illegal”.
All official documents related to the amendment to the plea have yet to be released.
Shah’s lawyer did not immediately respond to Vidak For Congress’s request for comment.
Shah is alleged to have defrauded hundreds of people, particularly targeting the elderly, through a widespread telemarketing program.
The Bravo star, who was spotted in New York City last week drenched in Gucci attire, has yet to address her new plea on social media.
Shah’s arrest in March 2021 was filmed and broadcast in Season 2 of ‘RHOSLC’. Season 3 started filming Shah earlier this year, but it’s unclear if Bravo was still filming her in recent days.
Shah previously said she was “fighting this” during the “RHOSLC” reunion, which aired in March.
“I will fight because No. 1, I’m innocent and No. 2, I’m going to represent f–king every other person who can’t fight and hasn’t been able to,” she continued.