Jen Shah's Attorneys Claim 'RHOSLC' Star Is Being Made Example Of In Fraud Case Because She's Famous, Prosecutors Laugh Off Allegations
Jen Shah's legal team is accusing prosecutors of picking on their client because of her high-profile status.
In court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star's attorneys are pulling out a Hail Mary in their client's wire fraud case, claiming she's being made an example of because she's a television personality.
Shah's lawyer Priya Chaudhry fired off a scathing letter to the court in direct response to claims made last week, which state the FBI believes the reality star had "greater culpability" in the complex telemarking scheme.
In fact, they claim she was one of the leaders in the scam that targeted "senior participants."
Chaudhry is firing back, stating the damning accusations "have no place on the public record."
"We urge the Court to order it stricken or at least redacted, and to remind the government that it should not file naked statements on the record absent an application for relief or the request of the Court," she wrote, adding that the RHOSLC star "has steadfastly maintained her innocence."
Then came the bombshell. "Unlike all of the other defendants, Ms. Shah is a public figure because of her work on the Bravo television network. The government is well aware of this, and timed its letter for the night before oral argument, knowing that it would be picked up by the press—which it was, and was reported in a highly prejudicial manner," Chaudhry added.
But prosecutors are saying not so fast.
The other side is scoffing at the idea Shah's newfound fame has anything to do with the case.
In the documents, prosecutors laugh off her team's accusations, claiming they are coming after her because she deserves it, not because she's a Bravo housewife.
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This is just the latest attempt made by Shah's legal team to get her criminal charges dismissed.
Just last month, the RHOSLC personality accused police of tricking her into giving them information.
Shah was scooped up and arrested by the feds on March 30.
Coach Shah's wife was on her way to shoot the Bravo show with her fellow housewives when agents pulled over her car, taking her into custody.
Prosecutors believe Shah and her personal assistant, Stuart Smith, played a key role in a long-running telemarketing scheme.
They are both facing one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Shah has denied the allegations and pled not guilty.
If convicted, she could face up to 50 years in prison.
