Her case highlights the potential consequences of involvement in a fraud scheme.
Jen Shah, star of the Bravo reality series “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” has pleaded with a judge to reduce her sentence in a telemarketing fraud case to just three years in prison.
After pleading guilty in Manhattan federal court in July to charges that she had conspired to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing, she is consented to surrender $6.5 million, which makes up to $9.5 million in reparations.
Additionally, according to advisory recommendations, she might get a sentence of 11 to 14 years in jail; nevertheless, the US Probation Department recommended an 8-year term.
However, in a document submitted on December 16, Shah’s legal team asked for a shorter prison term. Insider was able to access court records in which her legal team claimed that 36 months in jail would be “just and fair.”
This is a result of their claim that the reality star didn’t conceive the scam and didn’t communicate with the fraud victims. Additionally, they argued that she could be separated from other offenders who were given sentences longer than 36 months in each case.
“Many had direct contact with the victims of the fraud— whether as the salespeople using fake names or as managers or owners of sales floors whose job it was to convince the client not to charge back their worthless product,” court documents continued. “Ms. Shah, notably, never spoke with any of the customers of MPG (or anyone who actually purchased these products).”
Moreover, Shah composed a four-page letter titled “How I Got Involved in the Situation?” to the judge, which CNN has acquired, that reads, “The terrible business decisions I made and professional relationships I developed stemmed from some personal painful experiences that I was going through in my life.”
This news comes after Shah recently made headlines for her counterfeit collection of luxury bags and jewelry taken in March 2021 as part of her plea deal in her telemarketing fraud case.
There are over 40 fake pieces of luxury jewelry in total and more than 30 fake luxury bags. The “RHOSLC” star designer goods include Bulgari, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Hermès, Chanel, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci, among other high-end items.
She also has recently come off as tense as she awaits sentencing since her inappropriate behavior in public was caught on camera, where she can be seen and heard cursing during a furious public dispute.
At that time, she reportedly had a meltdown with four other individuals in downtown Salt Lake City. However, neither the cause of the disagreement nor the identities of the other individuals are known.
It has yet to be determined whether the judge will grant Shah’s request for a reduced sentence. If the judge denies the request, Shah could face up to 14 years in prison. Either way, the case is likely to have a significant impact on Shah’s life and career.
Shah’s sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2023, but her appeal for a lighter term reflects the continuing discussion over the proper penalty for white-collar offenses.
Reactions to Jen Shah's Request For A Reduced Sentence: Is Three Years In Prison Fair?
It’s funny because she chose to still come back for season 3, so she set it up herself for this season
It’s funny because she chose to still come back for season 3, so she set it up herself for this season
— Dustin Cone (@Dustin_Cone) December 17, 2022
Her apologies always seem so disingenuous
Her apologies always seem so disingenuous
— Jessica Crockett (@jessapooxo) December 17, 2022
There’s no amount of editing that can create the narcissistic behavior and meltdowns that are Jen Shah.
There’s no amount of editing that can create the narcissistic behavior and meltdowns that are Jen Shah. pic.twitter.com/1Q61gBetBI
— Real Housewife Wannabe (@RHOrDie) December 17, 2022