Skip to main content

Bravo’s Real Housewives shows all see their fair share of drama. But Jen Shah’s arrest for fraud has to be among the top five most dramatic things to happen in this reality TV universe. Not only was Shah arrested and charged, but she’s going to trial — all while appearing on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Fans have so many questions, including why Shah is going to trial at all.

Currently, the founder of her direct response marketing company, Shah Squad Marketing, is fighting to keep RHOSLC footage out of the courtroom. She’s also facing a mountain of doubt now that her assistant Stuart Smith has pleaded guilty.

Jen Shah’s fraud trial begins at the end of March 2022

Jen Shah cries while filming 'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' season 1 reunion
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah | Heidi Gutman/Bravo

Shah’s trial is set to begin almost exactly one year after her arrest. Along with her Shah Squad Marketing assistant, Shah is accused of telemarketing/wire fraud, as well as money laundering, reports Page Six. The federal government is claiming that the 48-year-old has committed these crimes for a long time, potentially since 2012. They also allege that Shah primarily targeted older individuals over 55 years old. 

Unlike Shah, Smith will not have to appear for a trial as he recently pleaded guilty to the charges. Shah is now preparing for trial, all while filming for RHOSLC. Even though she still wants to be involved in the show, she doesn’t want any clips from it shown at trial.

According to Shah’s lawyers, she and the other RHOSLC stars are playing a part on screen. Plus, the show is heavily edited. They say it isn’t “real” enough to serve as evidence for or against Shah. 

Jen Shah’s assistant has already pleaded guilty to the charges 

The arrest wasn’t exactly a shock to everyone, including some of Shah’s fans.

According to Lisa Barlow, some of the cast members weren’t as surprised after Shah was arrested — although Barlow herself didn’t see it coming. However, Barlow did admit that Shah’s business has always been “ambiguous,” something fans noticed, too. Shah’s explanation of how her business worked didn’t make a lot of sense to most fans. They noticed there was no website for Shah’s company.

Now, viewers are surprised Shah wants to go to trial. The charges against her are serious. According to the judge who heard Smith’s plea, he could face up to 70 years in prison. Shah herself faces up to 30 years. Going to trial could backfire in more way than one. 

Shah could lose, and face more prison time than if she takes a deal. Going to trial also means the details of Shah’s case will become public. People may not want anything to do with her after that. If Shah really did defraud the elderly, it is unlikely that Bravo will want her on the network ever again.

Will ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ footage be involved in the trial?

Related

‘RHOSLC’: Jen Shah Claims Jennie Nguyen ‘Admitted’ to Personally Sharing Controversial Posts

Shah and her lawyers don’t want RHOSLC footage to be shown at the trial. They claim the Shah on TV isn’t real. According to People, they told the court, “There is no circumstance under which a clip of Jen Shah from her appearance on the RHOSLC should be used in court as these clips do not have any of the indicia of reliability.”

RHOSLC has shown footage of Shah discussing her trial, including talking to one of her lawyers. During the conversation, which aired on Bravo, Shah claims she is innocent. “What I have been accused of is absolutely the complete opposite of anything I would do in my life,” she states. “If I have any fault, it’s because I’m too giving and I help too many people.” 

Best in Entertainment