Jen Shah’s lawyer revealed why the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star pleaded guilty at the last minute in her federal fraud case.
“Jen pleaded guilty because she wants to pay her debt to society and put this ordeal behind her and her family,” Priya Chaudhry told Vidak For Congress.
“Madam. Shah is a good woman who has crossed a line. She takes full responsibility for her actions and offers her deepest apologies to all those who have been harmed,” she explains.
“Madam. Shah is also sorry for disappointing her husband, children, family, friends and supporters,” added Chaudhry of the mother of two, who shares sons Sharrieff Jr., 28, and Omar, 19, with husband Sharrieff Shah Sr. .
Jen, 48, pleaded guilty Monday when she appeared before U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan federal court, overturning her previous plea of not guilty.
Under a plea deal, the embattled Bravolebrity pleaded guilty to one count, conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to telemarketing, while the US attorney agreed to drop the other charges against her, conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jen faces up to 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release. However, the plea deal demanded only 11 to 14 years behind bars and restitution of up to $9.5 million.
Before the second count was dropped, she was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for November.
The reality television personality – who was seen in the Big Apple with co-stars Meredith Marks and Heather Gay before her court appearance – apologized for her actions and admitted on Monday that she had committed wrongdoing. (She previously offered vehement denials, both on “RHOSLC” and in court.)
“Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value. We used interstate phones and emails,” she replied when asked what she was doing wrong. according to Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press† “I knew many of the buyers were over 55. I’m so sorry.”
Jen also admitted that her actions were “wrong and illegal”.
Jen allegedly defrauded hundreds of people through a nationwide telemarketing scheme. Her arrest in March 2021 was documented in season 2 of “RHOSLC”.
Sources confirm exclusively to Vidak For Congress that Bravo cameras tracked Jen in the run-up to her court appearance Monday, even though Season 3 technically wrapped up production earlier this year. A trial was originally set to begin in March and was then postponed to July.
Jen said she “fought” the charges during the second “RHOSLC” reunion, which aired in March.
“I will fight because No. 1, I am innocent,” she told presenter Andy Cohen at the time. “And No. 2, I’m going to represent every damn other person who can’t fight and hasn’t been able.”