Former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah has issued her first public statement following her release from prison in December. Shah served time after pleading guilty to a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme.

Prison Sentence and Guilty Plea

Shah was sentenced by a federal judge in February 2023 to 6.5 years in prison. However, she was released in December, more than four years early. She pleaded guilty in 2022 to running the fraudulent telemarketing operation that targeted the elderly.

Taking Responsibility

In a wide-ranging interview with People magazine, Shah expressed deep remorse for her actions. “I made wrong decisions. I should have done things differently. I should have been more diligent. And I’m deeply remorseful and sorry for my actions and for my part. I take full responsibility,” she stated.

Shift in Perspective

Shah initially maintained her innocence, famously declaring “the only thing I’m guilty of is being Shah-mazing” during filming for the Bravo series. However, she explained that receiving evidence from prosecutors before her trial dramatically changed her perspective.

“It was like a train hit,” Shah said. “That was the first time I saw all of it — the communications, the interviews, the witnesses.” She added, “I saw for the first time that there were people who were hurt. That there were actual victims as a result of this conspiracy.”

Decision to Plead Guilty

Shah revealed that a key factor in her decision to plead guilty was protecting her family. “That was like the hardest, hardest decision that I ever made, because at that point I was like, do I drag my family through this and go to trial and perhaps still lose, and then what?” she said.

Life Inside Prison

Shah described her experience in a minimum-security federal prison camp as challenging. “When I walked in, it took my breath away,” she shared. “You hear people say it’s ‘Camp Cupcake’ — it’s not. It’s a prison.”

Fellow Inmates

During her incarceration, Shah formed a friendship with Elizabeth Holmes, convicted of fraud related to her blood testing company, Theranos. They bonded over shared duties, including cleaning the unit’s bathroom. Shah also had limited interactions with Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted on charges related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Shah noted a stark contrast in Maxwell’s demeanor, stating, “at least to Elizabeth and I, that there’s no remorse there.” She expressed discomfort with Maxwell’s dismissive attitude towards her accusers.

Restitution and Future Plans

Shah has been ordered to forfeit $6.5 million and luxury items as part of restitution to the victims. She is currently on home confinement, wearing an ankle monitor, and is committed to fulfilling her financial obligations. “I’m sorry,” she told People. “I’m here, accepting responsibility, and have made it my mission…to make sure that people are paid back through the restitution.”

Shah also completed a personal trainer certification and taught recreational courses while incarcerated, finding inspiration in the resilience of her fellow inmates.