‘RHOSLC’: Jen Shah ‘Maintains Her Innocence’ After Being Arrested for Fraud, Attorney Says
Jen Shah is one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City that has found herself in the middle of a media storm. The Bravo celebrity has been charged for fraud and was arrested as she was ready to film scenes for the reality series. After going to court and setting up a trial date, Shah has been released and her attorney is breaking their silence.
Why is Jen Shah accused of fraud?
Shah flaunted an extravagant lifestyle on RHOSLC and quickly became a fan favorite for her outspoken persona. As the reality TV personalities filmed season 2, the production was hit with something they didn’t have planned. The federal authorities swarmed in during filming as they had a warrant for Shah’s arrest. Shah was being accused of a telemarketing fraud scheme.
“Shah and [Stuart] Smith flaunted their lavish lifestyle to the public as a symbol of their ‘success.’ In reality, they allegedly built their opulent lifestyle at the expense of vulnerable, often elderly, working-class people,” HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said in a statement. “As alleged, disturbingly, Shah and Smith objectified their very real human victims as ‘leads’ to be bought and sold, offering their personal information for sale to other members of their fraud ring.”
Both Shah and Smith “are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing through which they victimized 10 or more persons over the age of 55, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.”
Jen Shah finally breaks her silence
Shah had gone silent on social media as she was dealing with her arrest and legal proceedings. However, after she was arraigned she took to Instagram Stories to update fans on where she’s at. The reality TV personality posted a series of Stories where she promoted the “Free Jen” campaign in support of her.
“Thank you for being loyal, believing in me, and not believing the hype,” Shah wrote in reply to her fan. “This journey has showed [sic] me who my true friends are. All my love.”
In a statement to Page Six, Shah’s attorney said: “Jennifer Shah is a wife, mother, and lifelong resident of the Salt Lake City area. She maintains her innocence of these charges and is eager to defend herself in a court of law. She puts her faith in the American legal system. Because of the ongoing legal proceedings, we ask that you respect her privacy, and understand she will not provide any further comments.”
Bravo has not commented on all of this legal drama and it is not known if Shah will continue filming the rest of season 2. An insider at the cable network have said that despite doing a background check on all the cast, there were no red flags for Shah.
“Since this investigation and arrest only happened this week, there would be no prior red flags that would have shown up. Bravo is not the FBI,” a source told Page Six.
Shah’s trial is expected to being later this year on October 18.
