Judge Scoffs At 'RHOSLC' Star Jen Shah's Claim That She's Being Picked On Because She's Famous In Fraud Case
The judge in Jen Shah's fraud case is laughing off accusations that prosecutors are picking on her because she's on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
In a letter obtained by RadarOnline.com, US District Judge Sidney Stein has denied Shah's plea to strike the government's claim that she had a "greater culpability" in the complex telemarking scheme.
As RadarOnline.com reported, Shah's attorneys pulled a Hail Mary and alleged the prosecution was trying to make an example out of Jen because she's famous.
RHOSLC has only aired one season.
Shah was on her way to film an episode of season two when she was arrested.
Shah's lawyer Priya Chaudhry fired off a scathing letter to the court in response to the FBI's claims that the reality star was one of the leaders in the scam which targeted "senior participants."
Chaudhry alleged the accusations against her client "have no place on the public record" and asked the judge to strick or redact" the claims.
She then hit him with the celebrity angle, claiming Shah is being treated unfairly because her mug is on the television screen.
"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," Shah's lawyer wrote.
- 'Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City' Star Jen Shah Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud Charges, Bail Set For $1 Million
- ‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’ Star Jen Shah Begs Court To Dismiss Wire Fraud Charges, Claims She Was Coerced Into Making Statements To Police
- Government Blasts 'RHOSLC' Star Jen Shah, Says She Refuses To Give Evidence Weeks Before Fraud Trial
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
Well, the judge didn't agree.
He responded on Thursday, and it's not in Shah's favor.
Signing his John Hancock below words writing in bold words, "Defendant's application to strike the government's letter is denied."
The judge isn't the only one scoffing at Shah's too famous claims.
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.
This is just the latest attempt made by Shah's legal team to get her criminal charges dismissed.
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.
