Convicted “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah is not going to see any of that sweet reality TV money any longer. She was sentenced to 6 and a half years in jail for a hoax telemarketing scheme that targeted senior citizens and defrauded them of their money. The 49-year-old wife and mother began serving her sentence in February at a Texas prison.
As part of several conditions she’s expected to satisfy before regaining her freedom, Shah has agreed to forfeit $6.5 million dollars and make restitution to the victims. In addition, she will be required to attend a mental health program that her parole officer has approved, among other requirements.
Read on for more details.
Feds Hitting Up Shah’s Employers for Money
According to Radar Online, Shah is still owed $34,500 in relation to her work on “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” but that actual payout number was reduced to around $20,000 after subtracting taxes and fees.
The producers, Shed Media, disclosed the amount following the government’s inquest with a legal filing. Shed is on the list of production companies the Feds are hitting up as they try and find the cash to cover the huge amount of restitution the disgraced reality star owes.
Jen Shah’s Colleague Expressed Shock Over Her Pay
Shah’s fellow “bravolebrity” and “Real Housewives Of Dallas” alum Stephanie Hollman weighed in on her salary after the revelation. Hollman noted that being on the bravo franchise is quite expensive, and one isn’t expected to make much until after three or four seasons in.
“I will say, season 1 for me, I felt like I was paying to be on the show,” she narrated per Entertainment Tonight. “Like, I definitely spent more than I made. In season 5, I was making great money. Season 3 is when you kind of start making pretty good money, and that I think is why after season 3, you see a lot of Housewives that leave and then they keep a smaller percentage.”
Hollman went on to weigh in on Shah’s salary expressing shock at the figures. “I only have five years of experience, but I will tell you that is over double what you normally would make season 3 in my experience. So, I will leave you at that. If she was getting paid that, she was getting paid a crazy amount of money to stay on season 3,” Hollman said.
Jen Shah Reported To Jail In February
The convicted reality star began serving her prison sentence on February 17th at the Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas.
She was found guilty of committing wire fraud in a hoax telemarketing scheme that targeted the elderly and was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
At the time of her sentencing, her attorney conveyed her regrets and apologies to the victims of her crime.
“Jen has faith in our justice system, understands that anyone who breaks the law will be punished, and accepts this sentence as just,” Chaudry said, per Page Six, going on to add, “Jen will pay her debt to society and when she is a free woman again, she vows to pay her debt to the victims harmed by her mistakes.”
Shah must satisfy certain conditions after serving her 78 months prison sentence. She’ll be on a five-year supervised release where she’s expected to sign up for a mental health program.
The reality star will be required to continue taking her medication unless otherwise advised by medical personnel. She will also take a drug test at least twice during the mental health program she signs up for.
The Government Is Attempting To Seize Her Assets
Just weeks after Shah began serving her 6-and-a-half-year jail term, the government reportedly began a quest to confiscate her assets.
According to Radar Online, a subpoena was issued to Baron App Inc, the company that owns Cameo, an app that enables fans to purchase personalized videos from celebrities.
A spokesperson for the company shared that the government instructed them to state whether or not the convicted reality star had any money or assets with them. The rep reportedly said Cameo doesn’t have any of Shah’s assets on its books.
The mother of two, in addition to forfeiting several luxury bags, pieces of jewelry, rings, and jackets, will pay restitution totaling about $6 million.
She previously told a US judge that she would be working behind bars with her manager to come up with a means to pay the restitution.
