A federal judge claims that there're no evidence that 'The Housewife and the Shah Shocker' will 'severely jeopardize' the 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star's right amid her legal troubles.
- Dec 11, 2021
AceShowbiz - Jen Shah's motion to dismiss the fraud charges against her in light of the recent Hulu documentary has been denied. On Friday, December 10, a federal judge claimed that there were no evidence that the documentary will "severely jeopardize" her amid her legal troubles.
"Dismissal of an indictment is an extreme sanction that is to be utilized only in the rare case," Judge Sidney H. Stein wrote in an order filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and obtained by PEOPLE on Friday. "There has been no evidence whatsoever proffered to suggest that Shah's right to a fair trial has been compromised or prejudiced in any respect."
The judge added, "An appropriate voir dire of potential jurors will be able to determine if the jury pool has been tainted in any way by" the documentary.
The decision was made after Jen's attorneys filed the motion against the Hulu documentary, "The Housewife & the Shah Shocker". They claimed in the filing that it is "reprehensible" and will "severely jeopardize" "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star's right to a fair trial. The documentary featured various legal experts, proclaimed Bravo superfans, family and friends of Shah and purported telemarketing scam victims speaking out about the case.
Jen and her assistant Stuart Smith were arrested in March in relation of fraud scheme. They were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing through which they allegedly victimized 10 or more persons over the age of 55.
The two pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in April. However, Stuart changed his plea to guilty in late November. He's currently awaiting a sentencing hearing on March 3. During the plea hearing, the presiding judge claimed that he faces a maximum of 70 years in prison. As for Jen, the Bravo personality continues to maintain her innoncence.
