Former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah began her prison sentence in February 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The “RHOSLC” alum was then released in December 2025. Since then, she’s kept a fairly low profile, but she’s finally breaking her silence on the scheme that turned her life upside down.
‘RHOSLC’ Alum Jen Shah Discusses The Telemarketing Scheme
Shah was arrested in March 2021 after being accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud in a years-long telemarketing scheme that largely targeted older adults. Ultimately, she served two years and 9 months of her six and a half year sentence before being released.
Recently, in March 2026, she opened up to PEOPLE. Regarding how she became involved with the scheme, she said, “It’s a long and a very complex journey that brought me to this point. And without re-litigating it, I became involved in the case because I made horrible business decisions and I disregarded huge red flags.”
The “RHOSLC” alum continued, “I allowed the lines to be blurred between personal friendships and ethical business practices. And in essence, I trusted the wrong people at a very vulnerable time in my life.”
Shah, who worked in direct response marketing, says she didn’t understand the truth of what she and her codefendants were doing. According to her, “I thought I was doing the right thing for the majority of the time. I was working under people who were running these companies.”
She then explained, “[The] people that I worked with were working with a lot of other people. Once that initial fulfillment was happening, things were happening beyond the point of sale with that customer that I didn’t know about.”
Jen Shah Says She Later Saw The Damage She Helped Cause
“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” fans will recall that Shah proclaimed her innocence following her arrest. However, she told PEOPLE that she changed her tune in July 2022 after her legal team received much more evidence than they had before. It was then that she realized that people had been hurt.
Shah said, “I saw for the first time that there were people who were hurt. That there were actual victims as a result of this conspiracy. I had never seen anything with my own eyes. That changed things for me.”
Also in the interview, she addressed the victims of the scheme, saying, “I’m sorry for any part that I had, and I’m sorry that I didn’t do more due diligence. I’m sorry that I didn’t do more. I’d like to say that I’m sorry, and that I’m here and accepting responsibility, and have made it my mission to make sure that people are paid back through the restitution.”
Most ‘RHOSCL’ Fans Aren’t Buying What Shah Is Selling
“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” fans are reacting to Shah’s PEOPLE interview, with most feeling she’s still being dishonest about the situation.
One fan wrote in a YouTube comment, “I don’t feel bad for her because she did it, but I do appreciate her accountability and explanation. Even now, we still don’t have all of the facts of her business and what went down because there was no trial.”
That person continued, “Her time on Bravo is over, but I do think she will have a prosperous life. People have come back from worse. And honestly, if she were a white man or a white woman, this would be a very different conversation.”
Someone else said, “Girl, take accountability, stop crying, and move on. You did what you did & it was terrible.” However, there were some positive comments, with one YouTube user saying, “Bring her back to ‘RHOSLC.’ I don’t care.”
Andy Cohen Has Discussed Jen Shah
After it was reported in 2025 that Shah had scored an early prison release, Andy Cohen responded to a “Watch What Happens Live” audience member’s question about whether fans would ever see her back on “RHOSLC.”
He answered, “Jen Shah… I never want to see again.” According to Taste of Reality, Shah’s management then responded to Cohen’s remarks. They wrote on social media at the time, “A respectful conversation has already been had with Bravo behind the scenes. There are no hard feelings.”
However, he has also said that despite not wanting to see her on Bravo, he’s sure she’ll land on another reality show.
The ‘RHOSLC’ Cast Has Thrived In Her Absence
Shah last appeared on “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” during its third season, during which she dealt with the then-ongoing legal case. However, since her exit, the show has reached new heights with the remaining original stars Heather Gay, Meredith Marks, Lisa Barlow, and Mary Cosby.
Of course, new faces have come along, including Angie Katsanevas, Bronwyn Newport, and Monica Garcia, who was only a part of season four. Season seven is currently in production.
