Jen Shah

Jen Shah
Born
Jennifer Lui

(1973-10-04) October 4, 1973 (age 51)
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Utah
Occupation
  • Television personality
Criminal chargeWire fraud
Criminal statusImprisoned
Spouse
​
(m. 1994)​
Children2
Websitedearjenshah.com

Jennifer Shah (née Lui; born October 4, 1973) is an American television personality and former cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

In 2022, she pleaded guilty to charges related to a telemarketing scheme that targeted elderly and other individuals, resulting in her current prison sentence.

Early life and education

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Jen is of Tongan and Hawaiian descent. She moved to Utah from Hawaii when she was six years old.[1]

Jen met her husband, Sharrieff Shah while they were students attending the University of Utah.[2] The couple has two sons together.[3] She was originally raised in the Mormon faith, but converted to Islam after her husband, a Black football coach at the University of Utah, expressed concerns about the Mormon church's historical exclusion of Black members.[1][4]

Career

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In November 2022, Shah signed with CGEM Talent for agency representation.[5] She established three businesses named JXA Fashion, Shah Beauty, and Shah Lashes.[6]

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

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Jen gained public recognition as a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. She joined the series in its first season, which premiered in November 2020.[7] Jen was on the show for three consecutive seasons. Her time on the series highlighted her lifestyle, relationships, and entrepreneurial pursuits.[citation needed] During her time on the show, she was known for organizing an estimated $100,000 birthday party for her co-star Meredith Marks.[1]

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In March 2021, Jen was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a telemarketing scheme. She pleaded not guilty to both charges a couple days later.[8][9] Her legal troubles were documented in the Hulu film Housewife and the Shah Shocker, which aired in November the same year.[10]

The charges involved a scam targeting elderly people and other individuals with services falsely marketed as business development tools, such as "website building and coaching".[11]

In July 2022, Jen reversed her plea. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.[12] In January 2023, she received a sentence of 6+1⁄2 years in prison, which she began in February 2023.[13][14][15] Her sentence has since been repeatedly reduced and Jen is expected to be released from prison on September 19, 2026.[16][17][18]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Walker, Jodi (November 12, 2020). "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 1, episode 1 recap: M is for Mormon, P is for Perfect". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Palmer, Tamara (July 13, 2022). "Who Is Jen Shah's Husband? All About Sharrieff Shah". People. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Gugliemi, Jodi (December 23, 2020). "RHOSLC's Jen Shah Says Her Marriage Hit 'Rock Bottom' Before She Went on Antidepressants". People. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Yee, Lawrence (September 9, 2020). "'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Cast Is Most Diverse in Franchise History". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Gugliemi, Jodi (November 11, 2020). "'The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City' Star Jen Shah Signs With CGEM Talent". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "Jen Shah News". Us Weekly. July 28, 2022. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Gugliemi, Jodi (November 11, 2020). "Bravo Premieres The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City — and the Women Are Already Fighting". People. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  8. ^ "Real Housewives star Jen Shah charged over 'US-wide' fraud scheme". BBC News. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  9. ^ Aurthur, Kate (April 2, 2021). "'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Star Jen Shah Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud Charges, Bail Set for $1 Million". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  10. ^ Schwartz, Arielle; Murphy, Eileen (November 29, 2021). "Inside 'Real Housewives' star Jen Shah's ongoing legal battle". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "Jen Shah's scam victims speak out", ABCnews.com 20 Jan 2023; accessed 27 October 2023
  12. ^ "Southern District of New York: Reality Show Cast Member Pleads Guilty To Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme". United States Department of Justice. July 11, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  13. ^ Li, David K.; Dasrath, Diana (February 17, 2023). "'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Jen Shah reports for prison sentence". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Southern District of New York: Reality Show Cast Member Jennifer Shah Sentenced To 78 Months In Prison For Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme". United States Department of Justice. January 6, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  15. ^ "Southern District of New York: Reality Show Cast Member Pleads Guilty To Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme". United States Department of Justice. July 11, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  16. ^ Atkins, Chloe; Winter, Tom; Lenthang, Marlene; Dasrath, Diana (July 11, 2022). "'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Jen Shah pleads guilty in wire fraud case". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  17. ^ Garner, Glenn; Quinn, Glenn (March 26, 2023). "Jen Shah's Sentence Reduced by 1 Year After Reporting to Prison in Telemarketing Fraud Case". People. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  18. ^ "Jen Shah's prison sentence reduced again, 'RHOSLC' alum will be home before Thanksgiving 2026". Page Six. December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
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