Jen Shah, a member of the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” admitted to orchestrating a countrywide telemarketing operation that targeted the elderly on Monday in a shocking courtroom turnabout.
Shah agreed with federal prosecutors and changed her plea to guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud when she appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan.
Shah agreed with federal prosecutors in front of Judge Sidney Stein soon after 10:30 a.m., changing her plea to guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
She consented to forfeit $6.5 million, pay up to $9.5 million in reparations, and face a maximum 14-year jail term.
“I know it was wrong, many people were harmed, and I’m extremely sorry,” 48-year-old Shah said in court.
She acknowledged that she “agreed with others to perpetrate wire fraud” and “knowing it deceived” victims, over 10 of whom were over 55 years old.
A “misrepresentation of the product… related value of the service,” Shah continued, noting that it “had little to no value.”
She said, “Yes, your honor,” when asked if she was aware that what she was doing was improper and prohibited.
