This week, Jen Shah shocked the Bravosphere by pleading guilty to fraud. Now viewers, fans and her Bravo boss are starting to react. Just days before her scheduled hearing, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City called a surprise hearing. In a New York City courtroom, Jen admitted her role in a long-running telemarketing scam.
As reported by Page Six, Andy Cohen took to his radio show, Andy Cohen Live, to express his feelings on what has transpired. He began,“I’m upset, and I’m especially upset for her victims. I’m upset that she lied for so long and claimed to me that she was an example of someone being wrongly accused.”
Andy made note of Jen’s “dogmatic” instance that she was innocent on the RHOSLC reunion. And believed that “this woman [should] have her day” in court. He continued, “I’m extremely upset what she did, I’m also upset because, frankly, you get to know someone and you get to like them.” Andy admitted that he wanted to “cheer” Jen on.
When the news initially broke, the Watch What Happens Live host was recording his radio show and said he didn’t “know how to feel.” He explained, “When we were on the air on Monday, the news about Jen Shah pleading guilty broke. I did not have time to read anything about it, process it, we were on the air. I really didn’t have time to react, process it.”
Andy, who is an executive producer on RHOSLC, didn’t reveal if Bravo cameras filmed the courtroom drama. But a source just revealed that Jen will continue filming for the third season. And that her storyline will revolve around her guilty plea. Said Andy,“I have a lot of questions for her, and I’m sure the audience, especially those who supported her and stood by her, does too. I really hope to get the opportunity to speak with her and to ask those questions.”
Jen was arrested in March of 2021 in the midst of filming season 2 of RHOSLC. She initially plead not guilty to allegations that she was running a telemarketing scam that targeted the elderly. Her assistant, Stuart Smith, was also arrested and charged in connection with the crimes. He pled guilty to his charges in November of last year.
But Jen did an about face and plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. While staring down a possible sentence of up to 30 years in jail, Jen asked to have her time reduced to 11 to 14 years in exchange for her plea. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for November of this year.
Herlawyer, Priya Chaudhry, issued a statement following her court appearance. Priya told Page Six, “Jen pled guilty because she wants to pay her debt to society and put this ordeal behind her and her family. Ms. Shah is a good woman who crossed a line. She accepts full responsibility for her actions and deeply apologizes to all who have been harmed.”
Jen has not yet made a statement about her guilty plea.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED ANDY BELIEVED JEN? DID YOU THINK SHE WAS GUILTY? HOW DO YOU THINK HER CASTMATES FEEL? SHOULD SHE CONTINUE BEING FILMED FOR SEASON 3 OF RHOSLC?
[Photo Credit: Heidi Gutman/Bravo]
