Jen Shah, the former star of *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City*, has recently refuted claims that her fraudulent activities specifically targeted elderly individuals. In her first interview since her release from prison, Shah addressed misconceptions surrounding the telemarketing scheme she was involved in, which reportedly involved defrauding thousands, including many vulnerable older adults.
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Speaking to *PEOPLE*, Shah, 52, asserted, “I never, ever targeted the elderly,” aiming to clarify what she described as a “false narrative” about her actions. This response is notable given the portrayal by prosecutors, who depicted her as a key figure in a nationwide fraud operation that exploited many, particularly the elderly.
In documentation leading up to her sentencing, the prosecution identified Shah as the “integral leader” of a telemarketing fraud scheme that sold virtually worthless business services. They claimed victims included numerous elderly individuals, many of whom faced significant financial losses. Shah’s activities allegedly resulted in serious emotional and financial repercussions for victims, several of whom outlined their harrowing experiences in victim impact statements submitted to the court.
Among the poignant testimonies was that of a 70-something widow, who described feeling misled and emotionally wounded by Shah’s sales team. Another victim, also in her 70s, recounted losing approximately £40,000—over half of her life savings. Meanwhile, different individuals revealed the distress and financial hardships they suffered, with one victim indicating that losses led her to homelessness.
Despite acknowledging that older individuals were affected by her scheme, Shah insisted that the prosecution’s narrative distorted the reality of her involvement. She clarified that the government’s assertion of “elderly enhancement” in her sentencing was primarily a legal strategy. “In the indictment, the government stated that if there are 10 customers over the age of 55, then it becomes elderly enhancement, which would add more time to my sentence,” she explained.
Shah maintained her position that she did not have direct contact with the victims and contended that her understanding of the business operations she was involved in was limited. She admitted that while she believed she was working under proper business practices, her reality diverged from that belief due to mismanagement by others within the organisation.
Reflecting on her awareness of the victims, Shah stated that she only learned of their suffering when the prosecution released discovery materials shortly before her trial. The revelation prompted her to plead guilty, as she acknowledged the real consequences of her actions for those impacted by the fraud.
Culturally, Shah emphasised the importance of respecting elders, which she cited as a significant aspect of her Tongan Polynesian heritage. “One of the pillars of the Tongan Polynesian culture is to respect your elders,” she reflected, expressing remorse for the harm inflicted upon this demographic. She reiterated her commitment to taking responsibility, stating, “Even if I didn’t knowingly do it, I had a part in it.”
As a component of her sentencing, Shah was ordered to pay over $6.6 million in restitution, a commitment she says she is actively working on fulfilling. Following good behaviour during her incarceration, she was released to home confinement in December 2025 after serving nearly three years.
In her interview, Shah expressed a desire to communicate directly with her victims and extend her heartfelt apologies. “I’d like to say that I’m sorry and I’m here and accepting responsibility,” she stated. She indicated that part of her mission moving forward is to ensure that those harmed are compensated and made whole again.
This candid conversation marks Shah’s first opportunity to publicly address the tumultuous events of her past and the false narratives that emerged during her legal battles. Her comments reflect a complex interplay of regret, denial over direct intent, and an understanding of the broader implications of her actions. For those interested in further details about Jen Shah’s journey and her reflections on her misconduct, *PEOPLE* magazine will feature more in its forthcoming issue.