Jen Shah — the controversial 48-year-old star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City who was accused of running a telemarketing fraud scheme — pleaded guilty in her federal fraud case on Monday.
As NBC News reports, Shah reversed her earlier plea and “entered into an agreement with federal prosecutors, changing her plea to guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud” in front of Judge Sidney Stein on Monday morning.
According to Page Six, by pleading guilty to count one (conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing), the US attorney agreed to drop count two against Shah (conspiracy to commit money laundering). Before that count was dropped, Shah faced 50 years in prison and had a trial scheduled for July 18. Shah will now no longer have to stand trial.
Now, NBC News says that Shah faces a sentence of up to 14 years in prison. As part of her agreement, she will have to forfeit $6.5 million and to pay restitution up to $9.5 million.
Related: Jen Shah to host strip club event ahead of fraud trial.
As outlined in People, a Twitter thread from Inner City Press’ Matthew Russell Lee offers insight into what Shah said in court. According to the thread, when asked by the judge what crimes she had committed, Shah said, “Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value. We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55. I am so sorry.”
When Judge Stein asked if she knew that what she did was wrong and illegal, Shah said, “Yes, your Honor.”
