Jen Shah’s Authorized Drama: Every little thing We Know About Her Job, ‘RHOSLC’ Standing, Arrest and Extra

Jen Shah was indicted for her alleged position in a long-running telemarketing scheme whereas filming season 2 of The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis — and all eyes are on the Bravo star as she faces as much as 14 years in jail.

Bravo viewers met Shah throughout season 1 of RHOSLC, which filmed in 2019 and aired in 2020. She shortly grew to become a polarizing character on the franchise, with followers questioning her job and wish for a number of assistants.

“Folks will come to me and I’ll spend money on their firms, so we’ve a acquired a variety of totally different investments, all totally different sorts of issues,” Shah mentioned of her profession on Entry Hollywood’s “Housewives Nightcap” in November 2020. “I’ve been in a position to do it as a result of what I’ve been in a position to carve out, the area of interest I’ve been in a position to carve out within the direct response advertising and marketing world.”

Not lengthy after manufacturing started on season 2 of RHOSLC — which additionally starred Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, Heather Homosexual, Lisa Barlow and Mary Cosby — information broke on March 30, 2021, that Shah and one among her assistants who appeared on the present, Stuart Smith, have been arrested in Utah.

[jwplayer FryXI1XD-zhNYySv2]

“Jennifer Shah, who portrays herself as a rich and profitable businessperson on ‘actuality’ tv, and Stuart Smith, who’s portrayed as Shah’s ‘first assistant,’ allegedly generated and offered ‘lead lists’ of harmless people for different members of their scheme to repeatedly rip-off,” Manhattan U.S. Lawyer Audrey Strauss mentioned in a press launch. “In precise actuality and as alleged, the so-called enterprise alternatives pushed on the victims by Shah, Smith, and their co-conspirators have been simply fraudulent schemes, motivated by greed, to steal victims’ cash. Now, these defendants face time in jail for his or her alleged crimes.”

HSI Particular Agent-in-Cost Peter C. Fitzhugh claimed that Shah and Smith “constructed their opulent life-style on the expense of susceptible, typically aged, working-class folks.”

“Shah and Smith objectified their very actual human victims as ‘leads’ to be purchased and offered, providing their private data on the market to different members of their fraud ring,” Fitzhugh mentioned. “Working with our companions on the NYPD and the US Lawyer’s Workplace, SDNY, and with the help of HSI Salt Lake Metropolis, HSI New York labored to make sure that Shah and Smith will reply for his or her alleged crimes. In consequence, their new actuality could very effectively prove in another way than they anticipated.”

A supply informed Us Weekly on the time that Shah is “embarrassed” by the scandal, which included NYPD detectives, Homeland Safety Investigations and the U.S. Lawyer for the Southern District of New York working collectively.

“Jen is actually humiliated that each one of that is occurring within the public eye and that it is going to be proven on Bravo,” the supply informed Us on March 31, 2021.

Each defendant within the case has pleaded responsible to their respective costs as of July 2022, when Shah grew to become the ultimate defendant to vary her plea. She pleaded responsible to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as a part of a plea deal.

Scroll via for a breakdown of the costs and every part we learn about Shah’s authorized drama:

That is an ongoing article that was initially printed in March 2021 and final up to date on December 16, 2022.

“I personal three totally different advertising and marketing firms and we do lead technology, knowledge monetization, buyer acquisition. One of the best ways to explain it’s, I’m the Wizard of Oz, I’m the one behind the scenes that nobody is aware of exists however I’m the one making every part occur,” Shah informed Entry Hollywood in November 2020. “So, advertisements are popping to you guys and so they’re like, ‘How the hell do they know I’m procuring at Neiman Marcus?’ That’s me.”

She continued: “If you consider it, you understand how a lot visitors is on the web each second, all of the folks clicking. I’m getting cash on each click on, anytime you click on on something I’m getting some cash. I believe as a result of I’ve been blessed to achieve success with my advertising and marketing background and my firms, I’ve actually discovered a distinct segment throughout the direct response advertising and marketing world. I’ve been in a position to department out and spend money on our vogue firm, our skincare line, our lash line.”

Shah and Smith’s alleged roles within the telemarketing scheme embrace defrauding “lots of” of individuals, many over the age of 55, by promoting “lead lists” for fictitious enterprise alternatives.

In keeping with the press launch, Shah and Smith’s alleged involvement within the scheme stems again to 2012. Whereas they have been indicted in March 2021, the case dates again to 2019 and 10 others — Anthony Cheedie, Chad Allen, Shane Hanna Cameron Brewster, Kevin Handren, Joseph Ciaccio, Joseh Minetto, Joseph Depaola, Derek Larkin and Mattie Cirilo — who have been beforehand charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in reference to telemarketing.

Shah was booked on conspiracy to commit wire fraud in reference to telemarketing and conspiracy to commit cash laundering. Each the Bravo star and her assistant face a most sentence of 30 years for the wire fraud costs and a further 20 years for the cash laundering costs. Nevertheless, when Shah pled responsible to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the cash laundering cost was dropped as a part of the plea deal. Shah now faces 14 years in jail.

Following Shah’s arrest, she appeared earlier than a Utah choose on March 30, 2021. The choose set the next circumstances for her and Smith: should commit no federal offense upon launch, should seem as required, no touring exterior of Utah aside from New York Metropolis courtroom, no worldwide journey, no contact with co-defendants and no engagement in telemarketing. They have been subsequently seen leaving the Utah courtroom and ignored all reporters’ questions as they headed to their automobiles.

Shah known as into her listening to on April 2, 2021, and pleaded not responsible to at least one rely of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in reference to telemarketing and one rely of conspiracy to commit cash laundering. She sought counsel from her native Utah lawyer, Clayton Simms, and from recognized white collar crime protection legal professional Henry Asbill, who works out of Washington, D.C. The federal government described the scandal as a $5,000,000 cash laundering scheme.

The Bravo character met with U.S. District Choose Sidney Stein in New York Metropolis in July 2022 and adjusted her plea from not responsible to responsible. “Jen Shah sworn in to plead responsible on the primary rely of her prison indictment in reference to telemarketing fraud scheme that prosecutors mentioned preyed on the aged,” reporter Josh Russell tweeted. Her conspiracy to commit cash laundering was subsequently dropped, per Web page Six.

Throughout the April 2, 2021, listening to, the choose set Shah’s bail at $1 million, giving her one week to pay the required $250,000 “to safe that bond in money or property.”

“There’s a danger of flight right here. It is not insubstantial,” the choose mentioned. “I’m going to launch her on the next circumstances: I’m going to require a private recognizance bond of $1 million. I’m going to require $250,000 to safe that bond in money or property. She may have one week to conform.”

Shah’s lawyer then requested for 2 weeks to safe the bond, which the choose authorised, however famous that Shah should signal the $1 million private recognizance bond by the tip of the day. Different circumstances of her bail included no drug use or extreme alcohol, not being allowed to open any financial institution accounts and continued psychological well being remedies. 

The Bravo star’s legal professional informed the courtroom that Shah doesn’t personal her residence — which was labeled as “Jen’s Chalet” on the collection — or any actual property. The federal government additionally alleged that she has not willingly disclosed her property amid the investigation.

When requested about her employment exterior of telemarketing, her lawyer informed the choose, “She’s within the vogue enterprise and on a information present as effectively … The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis.”

Throughout the April 2021 listening to, a choose set a trial date for October 18, 2021, noting which will change as a result of COVID protocols.

Throughout the August 2021 listening to, the trial was postponed till March 2022 following up to date COVID-19 requirements. The trial was set for July 18, 2022. Nevertheless, her responsible plea earlier that month resulted in no want for a trial.

Shah filed a movement to dismiss her case, however it was denied by the choose in August 2021, Us confirmed. In her preliminary ask, she hoped costs can be dismissed. Moreover, her legal professional, Daniel R. Alonso, together with colleagues Henry W. Asbill and Michael S. Chum, introduced their resignation. Shah has retained legal professional Priya Chaudhry, of ChaudhryLaw PLLC, to characterize her within the case shifting ahead, in response to the courtroom paperwork.

The lead-up to Shah’s arrest by members of Homeland Safety and the New York Police Division appeared in a season 2 episode of the collection, which aired in November 2021.

Within the moments earlier than she was taken into custody, Shah informed her RHOSLC castmates that she was unable to go on a visit with them to Vail, Colorado, as a result of her husband was affected by a medical emergency.

“I’ve some unhealthy information,” she informed costarGay because the cameras rolled pre-departure. “I simply acquired a cellphone name and Sharrieff Sr.’s within the hospital. He has inside bleeding, so I must go.”

After telling Homosexual that the medical doctors weren’t “certain in the event that they’re going to want to do surgical procedure,” she shared the unhealthy information with Rose, Barlow and Jennie Nguyen, who have been on the bus on the brink of go away. Practically quarter-hour later, the authorities pulled into the parking zone of Homosexual’s magnificence clinic. “Is that this a prank?” Rose requested. “Is Jen enjoying a prank on us, although?”

Throughout a November 2021 episode of RHOSLC, Shah’s costars have been left in shock after Homeland Safety confirmed up in search of her. “Aside from our households, there was seven those that knew we have been assembly at Magnificence Lab right now. I am unable to think about anybody right here would flip Jen in, however this appears actually sus[picious],” Lisa Barlow famous in a confessional after Whitney Rose recommended that “somebody informed” the authorities the place to seek out Shah.

“I do not know something, however I’ve a variety of questions round, like, Jen’s life-style,” Rose continued. “It intrigues me the place she will get all of her cash and all of her issues from.”

Meredith Marks mentioned in a FaceTime name with the solid that she was “not shocked” by the arrest, including, “Too many issues did not add up and I’ve suspected that one thing was happening for some time. And now, it is validated that I used to be proper [and] I am not loopy. That is the underside line.”

In November 2021, Joseph Ciaccio, who was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in reference to telemarketing in 2019, was sentenced to time served. In keeping with legal professional Ronald Richards, Ciaccio obtained the sentence as a result of a current automobile accident left him paraplegic. “Choose was very compassionate about it and didn’t observe the federal government suggestion and sentenced him beneath pointers,” Richards tweeted.

Smith, the assistant who was arrested and charged with Shah, modified his plea in November 2021 after initially pleading not responsible. “He pleaded responsible to a few counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, cash laundering and obstruction of justice,” Richards informed Us on the time. “He admitted to hiding possession and cash, defrauding aged folks and mendacity to the Federal Commerce Fee in a deposition, which constituted perjury.” Smith might be sentenced in March 2022 after his former boss’ trial. He faces a most sentence of 30 years in jail.

Following the discharge of The Housewife & the Shah Shocker, a documentary that explored Shah’s authorized points with interviews from alleged victims and authorities brokers, the Bravo character requesting that her costs.

Shah’s authorized crew claimed that the ABC Information doc would wreck her likelihood at an unbiased jury pool as a result of everybody may entry The Housewife & the Shah Shocker forward of her trial.

“Ms. Shah respectfully requests that the Courtroom grant her go away to file a movement to dismiss the indictment,” the courtroom paperwork obtained by Us in December learn. “Given each the intensive viewership of Hulu nationwide and Ms. Shah’s public notoriety, a change in venue wouldn’t defend Ms. Shah’s rights, nor would different treatments akin to an in depth voir dire or emphatic jury directions.”

The U.S. Lawyer responded to the movement stating that there was no foundation to drop the authorized case, to which Shah’s attorneys known as out the federal government officers that participated within the Hulu mission.

“Make no mistake, the Authorities can not shift the blame to Hulu or ABC Information for the way wherein the ultimate program was edited,” the RHOSLC star’s response argued. “The Authorities and its brokers publicly expressed their opinions to the press a couple of pending case, subsequently the Authorities is absolutely accountable for all that adopted. Like all wrongdoer, the Authorities is completely liable for the whole injury attributable to its violation of the principles.” 

In December 2021, a supply completely informed Us that the drama of the previous 12 months had “put a pressure on” Jen’s marriage to Sharrieff Shah. “It has been a really nerve-racking time,” the insider defined. Regardless of the problem, nonetheless, the duo have been nonetheless making an attempt to make it work. “[Coach Shah] is there for Jen and is supporting her via all of this,” the supply mentioned. “They’ve a variety of love for one another. They have been via remedy, which actually helped, and now, they’re stronger than the place they have been months in the past.”

In December 2021, Jen filed to have her case dismissed. In courtroom paperwork obtained by Us Weekly, she requested her case be dismissed on the idea that the brand new Hulu documentary, The Housewife & the Shah Shocker, violated her proper to a good trial. Jen’s authorized crew argued that there gained’t be an “untainted jury pool” with the documentary is obtainable for anybody to look at forward of the March 2022 trial. Choose Sidney H. Stein denied the request.

Practically one month after Smith modified his plea to responsible, one other codefendant within the case modified his plea as effectively. In keeping with Richards, Shane Hanna — who is among the 10 different individuals who have been charged in reference to the case again in 2019 — entered a responsible plea in December 2021 after beforehand pleading not responsible. Hanna pleaded responsible to eight counts of superseding data to wire fraud conspiracy, cash laundering, machine entry fraud, aggravated id theft, false statements on mortgage apps and wire fraud. “That is clearly a plea bargained deal,” Richards tweeted, including that the plea may have unfavourable results for Jen. “These costs are extra extreme then Stuart Smith’s plea cut price and have a compulsory minimal on the aggravated determine theft.”

After documenting the arrest and the aftermath on season 2 of RHOSLC, Shah returned for season 3, which started manufacturing in winter 2022.

The Housewife’s authorized crew is gearing up for courtroom, and so they have particular calls for on the subject of RHOSLC.

“Any use of clips from the RHOSLC on the trial of Ms. Shah, both within the authorities’s case-in-chief or throughout cross-examination of the protection’s case, must fall underneath one of many exceptions to the rumour rule of proof, as they’re, by definition, out-of-court statements,” courtroom paperwork obtained by Us in February 2022 said. The protection additionally submitted almost 40 questions for the potential jury, together with a number of queries about every potential juror’s information of the fact collection.

Whereas Jen’s crew is getting ready their facet of the story, the federal government is engaged on theirs, in response to courtroom paperwork obtained by Us in February 2022.

“The Authorities intends to supply proof [of fraud] within the type of monetary information, abstract charts, and restricted testimony concerning these information, charts, in addition to testimony by percipient witnesses with information of the defendant’s disposition of the prison proceeds,” the most recent submitting reads.

In March 2022, U.S. Lawyer Damian Williams requested the choose to reject Jen’s earlier subpoena for paperwork, video footage and communications associated to the ABC Information documentary The Housewife & the Shah Shocker. “There is no such thing as a foundation to conclude that the supplies sought represent related, admissible proof,” Williams wrote in a letter. “Certainly, sure of the defendant’s improperly overbroad requests, which appear to doubtlessly embody footage of the defendant and others who have been concerned in The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis, are notably ironic in gentle of her place that such supplies are inadmissible.”

One month earlier, Jen’s authorized crew subpoenaed ABC Information for all video footage associated to the documentary, together with every part that was unaired. In a movement to quash the subpoena, the community argued that Jen has no proper to the footage, noting that the requested materials is protected due to journalist’s privilege. Williams’ letter was written in help of that movement. “The Courtroom mustn’t allow the defendant’s tried fishing expedition looking for broad classes of paperwork, communications, and video footage absent a displaying of specificity, relevance, and admissibility, none of which the defendant can set up,” he concluded. “Accordingly, the movement to quash must be granted.”

Jen’s crew fired again with a memo opposing ABC’s movement to reject the subpoena, claiming that the request for Shah Shocker supplies is not hypocritical as a result of the footage allegedly contains statements from witnesses. “In the meantime, RHOSLC is a present—that’s, a deliberately-edited, Hollywood-fabricated fantasy, loosely based mostly on actual folks and designed to attract hundreds of thousands of viewers into outrageous episodes manufactured by editors,” the memo argued. “The RHOSLC clips are devoid of evidentiary worth, as they don’t relate to any materials reality at problem in Ms. Shah’s case, whereas the subpoena at problem seeks statements made by precise witnesses.”

With no trial essential as a result of her responsible plea, Shah awaits her sentencing. It was first set for November 18, 2022, earlier than being rescheduled to December 15, 2022, on the prosecutors’ request. In November, the trial was rescheduled once more to January 6, 2023 at Shah’s attorneys’ request.

Throughout the season 3 premiere of RHOSLC in September 2022 — which was filmed earlier than she modified her plea to responsible — Jen maintained that she was not responsible of any wrongdoing. “I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t scared,” she mentioned of the then-upcoming trial. “I am not eager about myself, I am eager about my household. I am unable to think about being away from them. It might actually kill me.”

The fact star additionally famous that she and her household downsized to a home that was solely 4,500 sq. ft (their previous one was 9,000 sq. ft). “I went from the Barbie dream home closet to a traditional dimension closet,” she quipped. “I additionally needed to downsize the Shah Squad. I am doing my greatest, that is all I can say. I am doing my very, best possible.”

Whereas the premiere confirmed Jen getting shut with Meredith, Whitney and Lisa revealed throughout Watch What Occurs Stay With Andy Cohen that they have not spoken to Jen since she modified her plea in July 2022. “It was stunning,” Whitney mentioned when requested what she thought when her costar pleaded responsible. “I did not see it coming. I actually thought she was gonna struggle until the tip.” Lisa mentioned she despatched Jen a textual content the day of the plea change, including, “It is not my fault we’re not speaking.”

After Shah was noticeably lacking from BravoCon in October 2022 — regardless of being in New York Metropolis — Cohen seemingly confirmed her dismissal from the present forward of season 4.

“As soon as we wrapped [season 3 and] she pled responsible, I believe that was type of, sadly, the tip of, you already know, the engagement there,” he informed followers throughout a panel. “However I hope to sit down down together with her and speak to her sooner or later on digicam as a result of I’ve a variety of questions for her.”

The next month, the Bravo exec informed Us: “I don’t know what to say to individuals who need her on the present. I hope that she will get no jail time in anyway and she will be able to come proper again … however I’ve a sense that she’s not going to be accessible to be on the present.”

Her standing on the reunion can also be in query. 

After Cohen implied that Jen would not be again for RHOSLC season 4, Jen mentioned she wished to set the document straight. “YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY VOICE!” she wrote through Instagram and Twitter in October 2022. “I’ve so much to say, lies to appropriate, and other people to place of their place. #comingsoon #bravotv #rhoslc #equality #poc.” She additionally included a quote from activist Malala Yousafzai studying: “I increase up my voice not in order that I can shout, however in order that these with a voice may be heard. … We can not all succeed when half of us are held again.”

In December 2022, Web page Six reported that authorities found greater than 50 counterfeit designer objects in Jen’s residence after they raided her property following her arrest. In keeping with courtroom paperwork obtained by the outlet, the objects included faux Chanel and Louis Vuitton purses and fake Cartier, Bulgari and Dior equipment. The objects — which additionally included some actual designer wares — have been seized in order that Jen may pay a number of the $9.5 million she owes in restitution.