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As previously reported, Jen Shah is headed to federal prison.
The Bravo personality took many fans by surprise on July 11 when she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member was arrested in March 2021 and had strongly defended herself in the past against these allegations.
On Monday, however?
Shah admitted to her wrong-doing in court, telling a judge that she lied to senior citizens — by offering them phony business opportunities and other things — in order to essentially steal their money.
“We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55,” Shah confessed. “I am so sorry.”
Added the unethical star:
“[I] knew it was wrong. Many people were harmed and I’m so sorry.”
Shah’s guilty plea means she will not stand trial.
As mentioned above, Shah had maintained her innocence until Monday… when she appeared in a New York court and pleaded guilty before Judge Sidney H. Stein.
The reality star admitted to committing “wire fraud, offering services with little to no value.”
She faces up to 30 years behind bars and has agreed to pay a minimum of $6 million in restitution to her victims.
Somehow, however, some way, for reasons that make us very depressed about the state of this country… Shah has not been fired by Bravo.
According to a source, she’ll continue to be featured on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, even in the wake of her admission to some really heinous crimes.
This case is “a very big part of Jen’s story,” an insider tells People Magazine.
“Producers don’t want us to stop following it now. They’ll keep filming with her as long as they can, just like they did with Teresa [Giudice].”
Indeed, Giudice also pleaded guilty in 2016 to bankruptcy fraud, spent months in jail and then strolled right back into a cozy job on The Real Housewives oof New Jersey.
Maybe, just maybe, we shouldn’t give people who commit federal crimes a multi-million dollar salary, along with the platforms of starring on wildly popular reality show.
Just an idea.
You can go ahead and call it a crazy one.
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York — where Shah was charged –issued a statement shortly after her plea change:
“Jennifer Shah was a key participant in a nationwide scheme that targeted elderly, vulnerable victims.
“These victims were sold false promises of financial security but instead Shah and her co-conspirators defrauded them out of their savings and left them with nothing to show for it.
“This Office is committed to rooting out these schemes whatever form they take.”
An attorney for Shah, meanwhile, countered on Monday with this public message:
“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.
“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.”
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