‘Real Housewives’ star Jen Shah’s virtual audience experiences technical issues after 250+ people call

They were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit electronic fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, the statement said.

During the hearing, some ignored the judge’s repeated request asking everyone to mute. At one point, according to Ben Winslow, a CNN, KSTU affiliate reporter, someone may have been overheard. “I’m for the housewives trial” and another person sounded like “Are you watching Bravo?”

Shah and his lawyer, Clayton Simms, had technical problems with the video conference. The judge told them to call the conference bridge – but Simms said Shah was unable to connect to the call because a limit for the meeting had already been reached.

Stein ultimately adjourned the proceedings due to technical difficulties preventing Shah from attending his own hearing. He postponed the arraignment for Friday.

Prosecutors did not ask any of them to remain in custody and Judge Pead ordered their release without bail. The terms of the release include a prohibition on the couple engaging in telemarketing while their case is pending. They are also not allowed to withdraw more than $ 10,000 from their personal accounts without permission from prosecutors.

Shah and Smith were ordered to stay in Utah.

CNN has contacted lawyers for Shah and Smith for comment, but has not received a response. Bravo declined to comment.

A so-called nine-year plan

The charges stem from a nine-year plan in which prosecutors say Shah and Smith “sold off services believed to make running victims’ businesses more efficient or profitable.” Those services included tax preparation and website design services, although many of their elderly victims do not own computers, the statement said.

Part of the program also included Shah and Smith lists of suspected traffickers of potential victims, known as “leads”. Many victims had already made an initial investment to start an online business with other program participants, the statement said.

Shah and Smith also “made significant efforts” to hide their role in the project. Part of these efforts has been to incorporate their business entities using third party names and tell other participants to do the same.

The duo also ordered others to use encrypted messaging apps to communicate with other members of the system, instructed them to send shares of certain fraudulent products to offshore bank accounts, and “carried out numerous Structured cash withdrawals to avoid foreign currency transaction reporting requirements.

“Shah and Smith have flaunted their lavish lifestyle to the public as a symbol of their ‘success’. In reality, they would have built their opulent way of life at the expense of vulnerable, often elderly, working class people, ”said Peter C. Fitzhugh, special agent in charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations.

The first season of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” premiered in November 2020.

“I have had direct marketing experience for about 20 years, so our company advertises,” she said in response. “We have a platform that helps people acquire customers, so when you shop online or on the internet, and something pops up, we have the algorithm that explains why you get this ad.