Jen Shahjust made a big decision in her ongoing legal battle.On Monday,The Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citystar — who was previously accused of participating in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scandal — appeared in a New York court to change her plea to guilty.Shah’s guilty plea means she will not stand trial. She waschargedwith one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. She faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison.“Ms. Shah is a good woman who crossed a line. She accepts full responsibility for her actions and deeply apologizes to all who have been harmed,” Shah’s attorney Priya Chaudhry said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Ms. Shah is also sorry for disappointing her husband, children, family, friends, and supporters. Jen pled guilty because she wants to pay her debt to society and put this ordeal behind her and her family.“Also while in court, Judge Sidney H. Stein asked the 48-year-old reality star whether she agreed not to appeal if she is sentenced to “168 months' prison or fewer” — an amount that equates to 14 years.“Yes, your Honor,” said Shah, per aTwitter threadfrom Inner City Press' Matthew Russell Lee.For more on Jen Shah pleading guilty, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.“And you’ve agreed to forfeit $6 million, and restitution of $9 million?” Judge Stein asked as Shah responded, “Yes, your Honor.“Jen Shah.Chad Kirkland/Bravo/ GettyShah additionally admitted to knowing her actions were “illegal.““Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value,” she told Judge Stein. “We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55. I am so sorry.“Shah and her assistantStuart Smithwerearrested in March 2021on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They allegedly “defrauded hundreds of victims,” specifically targeting several people over the age of 55 in a nationwide scheme.While they both initially entered not guilty pleas that April, Smith, 43, changed his plea later that year. Smith has not yet been sentenced.Prior to Monday’s hearing, Shah had continued to profess her innocence.“I think what people don’t understand is, here in America,you’re innocent until proven guilty. I’m innocent. And I believe that this is not just my test, this is everybody’s test close to me and in my corner,” she said on Bravo’sSpilling Iced TeaInstagram Live in September 2021. “How are my closest people around me going to respond, how are they going to show up or not show up?“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Shah joinedRHOSLCas an original cast member in November 2020. Much of her season 2 storyline centered around the telemarketing scheme drama. It also became the focal point of Hulu’sThe Housewife & the Shah Shockerdocumentary.Shah shares sons Sharrieff Shah Jr. and Omar with husbandSharrieff Shah.Shah is set to be sentenced on Nov. 28.
Jen Shahjust made a big decision in her ongoing legal battle.
On Monday,The Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citystar — who was previously accused of participating in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scandal — appeared in a New York court to change her plea to guilty.
Shah’s guilty plea means she will not stand trial. She waschargedwith one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. She faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison.
“Ms. Shah is a good woman who crossed a line. She accepts full responsibility for her actions and deeply apologizes to all who have been harmed,” Shah’s attorney Priya Chaudhry said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Ms. Shah is also sorry for disappointing her husband, children, family, friends, and supporters. Jen pled guilty because she wants to pay her debt to society and put this ordeal behind her and her family.”
Also while in court, Judge Sidney H. Stein asked the 48-year-old reality star whether she agreed not to appeal if she is sentenced to “168 months' prison or fewer” — an amount that equates to 14 years.
“Yes, your Honor,” said Shah, per aTwitter threadfrom Inner City Press' Matthew Russell Lee.
For more on Jen Shah pleading guilty, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
“And you’ve agreed to forfeit $6 million, and restitution of $9 million?” Judge Stein asked as Shah responded, “Yes, your Honor.”
Jen Shah.Chad Kirkland/Bravo/ Getty
Shah additionally admitted to knowing her actions were “illegal.”
“Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value,” she told Judge Stein. “We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55. I am so sorry.”
Shah and her assistantStuart Smithwerearrested in March 2021on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They allegedly “defrauded hundreds of victims,” specifically targeting several people over the age of 55 in a nationwide scheme.
While they both initially entered not guilty pleas that April, Smith, 43, changed his plea later that year. Smith has not yet been sentenced.
Prior to Monday’s hearing, Shah had continued to profess her innocence.
“I think what people don’t understand is, here in America,you’re innocent until proven guilty. I’m innocent. And I believe that this is not just my test, this is everybody’s test close to me and in my corner,” she said on Bravo’sSpilling Iced TeaInstagram Live in September 2021. “How are my closest people around me going to respond, how are they going to show up or not show up?”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Shah joinedRHOSLCas an original cast member in November 2020. Much of her season 2 storyline centered around the telemarketing scheme drama. It also became the focal point of Hulu’sThe Housewife & the Shah Shockerdocumentary.
Shah shares sons Sharrieff Shah Jr. and Omar with husbandSharrieff Shah.
Shah is set to be sentenced on Nov. 28.
Dave Quinn
source: people.com
