Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah pleaded guilty to federal charges of running a telemarketing scam on Monday, July 11. Shah appeared before Manhattan Federal District Judge Sidney Stein to plead guilty to charges to which he had previously pleaded not guilty, according to PageSix. Shah will receive a lighter sentence as part of a plea deal. According to sources, the US Attorney’s Office will drop her two counts of money laundering conspiracy. The 48-year-old faced up to 30 years in prison with five years of supervised release.
In addition, as part of her plea agreement, Shah agreed to pay back $9.5 million. Shah said she will not appeal the sentence if the prison sentence is less than 168 months or 14 years, according to ABC News.
What exactly did Jen Shah do?
In March 2021, the 48-year-old Real Housewives of Salt Lake City actress was charged with money laundering and fraud. According to the US Attorney’s Office case against Jen Shah, the reality TV personality used telemarketing schemes to defraud large numbers of individuals across the country. According to the charges, Jen Shah and her co-conspirator Stuart Smith defrauded their victims, most of whom were over the age of 55. She allegedly offered consulting lists of fake business prospects to individuals. According to the charges, Shah may have been involved in telemarketing scams since 2012.
Following the charges against her, Shah could face up to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. She could also face up to 20 years in prison on the fraud charges brought against her. Smith, Shah’s assistant, also pleaded guilty to the charges. In all, the TV personality could face up to 14 years in prison, a $16 million fine and restitution of the defrauded money. Fines are estimated at approximately $6.5 million, with possible restitution of up to $9.5 million. The official date of the sentencing hearing is set for November 28.
Jen Shah was questioned about her criminal activities in court, according to Matthew Russell of the Inner City Press. She replied:
“Internet fraud, providing services of little or no value.” We communicated via long distance phone calls and email. I was aware that many customers were over 55 years old. I sincerely apologize.”
Meanwhile, US Attorney General Audrey Strauss issued a statement saying:
“In truth, and as noted, the so-called business opportunities pushed to victims by Shah, Smith and their co-conspirators were nothing more than fraudulent schemes driven by the desire to steal victims’ money.” These individuals now face prison terms for their alleged offences.”
Judgment in the Jen Shah case
Jen Shah and her co-conspirators allegedly defrauded their victims out of $5 million, according to the allegations. Last August, a judge denied Shah’s request to dismiss the case, indicating that Manhattan prosecutors had enough evidence to prosecute and convict Shah at trial.
The 48-year-old is now free on $1 million bail, which was set in April. She then declared that she was not guilty of the charges against her. It remains to be seen what prison sentence the reality TV star will receive after his trial in November.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: vcmp.edu.vn