“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah pleaded guilty Monday in her federal fraud case, according to court documents obtained by Page Six.
Shah appeared in front of US District Judge Sidney Stein at 10:30 am ET in Manhattan federal court for a surprise hearing, during which she changed her previous not guilty plea.
Since the Bravolebrity pleaded guilty to count one, conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing, the US attorney agreed to drop count two, conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Judge Stein made sure Shah, 48, understood the change and that she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release, but her plea agreement called for only 11 to 14 years behind bars and restitution of up to $9.5 million. .
Prior to the one count behind dropped, she had faced 50 years in prison and was scheduled to go to trial on July 18.
Her sentencing is now scheduled for November.
The reality TV star, who previously vehemently denied the charges against her, apologized for her actions and admitted wrongdoing in court Monday.
When asked what she did, Shah replied, “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,” according to Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press.
She also admitted that she knew what she was doing was “wrong and illegal.”
Any official documents regarding the change in plea have yet to be released.
Shah’s attorney did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Shah allegedly Scammed hundreds of people out of money, targeting the elderly in particular, through a widespread telemarketing scheme.
The Bravo star, who was spotted in New York City last week drenched in Gucci apparelhas yet to address her new plea on social media.
Shah’s March 2021 arrest was filmed and aired on Season 2 of “RHOSLC.” Season 3 began shooting earlier this year with Shah, but it’s unclear whether Bravo had still been filming her in recent days.
Shah previously said that she was “fighting this” during the “RHOSLC” reunion, which aired in March.
“I will fight because No. 1, I’m innocent and no. 2, I’m going to f–king represent every other person out there that can’t fight and hasn’t been able to,” she continued.
