Last season on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Jen Shah was the over-top HBIC. Jen had a full melt-down at her husband, Sharrieff Shah’s, surprise party, complete with screaming like a banshee and throwing a glass. Even Coach Shah avoided the Shah Chalet for a few days.
Heather Gay insisted that Jen was not acting up for the RHOSCL cameras. Then Jen fat-shamed Heather, who was always loyal to her. That was vile.
Leaked audio of Jen berating and shaming her Shah Squad was shared on Instagram by realityvontease2. Jen had her lawyer fire off cease and desist letters to the two Instagram accounts that posted the audio. Jen remained unbothered and denied being abusive to her staff.
On March 30, 2021, Jen was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Jen’s assistant, Stuart Smith, was also arrested, and faced the same charges. Jen and Stuart allegedly sold lists of possible victims to telemarketing companies who reportedly went on to defraud those people, many of whom were elderly.
What makes this so surreal is that Bravo was filming Season 2 of RHOSLC when this situation went down. The ladies were in a van headed off to a trip to Colorado. Jen received a call and told everyone that her husband was at the hospital, and that she needed to leave.
RELATED: Jen Shah’s Lawyer Believes FBI Is Singling Her Out Because She’s A Celebrity Thanks To Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City
In reality, Coach Shah tipped off his wife that she was going to be arrested. The van pulled over and Jen asked her aunt to pick her up. Federal officers spoke with production and searched the vehicle. Whitney Rose, Heather, and Lisa Barlow were in the van.
Bravo’s cameras captured Jen’s arrest. During her arraignment, Jen plead not guilty, as did Stuart. Their trial date is set for October 18, 2021.
Jen claimed that she was innocent in a direct message conversation with a fan. The exchange was shared by Cristian Gray Snow on Instagram. In July of 2021, the U.S. Attorney announced that Jen and Stuart were categorized as “Tier A” because they are allegedly the “senior participants” in the criminal scheme. Both knew that charges were coming but continued their alleged criminal activity.
A source told HollywoodLife that Jen “kept it real” while filming Season 2 of RHOSLC. “Jen didn’t hold back at all when talking about her legal issues on the show. She kept it very real and is maintaining her innocence to the ladies,” the insider stated. “She filmed full-time, and this season will focus heavily on Jen.”
RELATED: Jen Shah Labeled By Feds As An Orchestrator In “Tier A” Of Suspects For Telemarketing Scheme That Targeted The Elderly
So, is Jen watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to pick up pointers from Erika Jayne? Her legal issues are the focus of this season–especially the debate over her non-waterproof mascara.
Jen’s co-stars were blindsided by her arrest. The source continued, “The ladies really had no idea. They found out when the rest of the world did and were shocked. They feel she should be treated like anyone is in court which is innocent until proven otherwise.” It must be awkward talking with Jen.
“They’re really hoping it’s not true, but they’re staying out of it and not discussing it past a surface level. Her friends on the cast are still talking to her and doing their best not to let this effect their friendship with her,” the insider shared. “They love Sharrieff, her husband, and the boys are the nicest, most respectful guys.”
RELATED: Jen Shah Pleads With Court To Dismiss Fraud Charges; Says She Was “Coerced Into Making Statements”
TELL US- HOW MUCH WILL JEN REVEAL ABOUT HER LEGAL ISSUES? ARE YOU GOING TO WATCH SEASON 2 OF RHOSLC?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
