Andy Cohen reacts to Jen Shah’s jail sentence and teases RHOSLC cast

Andy Cohen reacted to the news that Jen Shah was sentenced to six and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

“Listen, any older person or anyone who just doesn’t understand what’s going on with the internet or how much scam is going on, people are susceptible to that sort of thing.” real housewives The 54-year-old executive producer said on Monday, Jan. 9, during an episode of Sirius XM.Radio Andy. “If you’ve read the Victim Impact report, it was pretty overwhelming.”

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City The 49-year-old star was sentenced to 78 months in prison with five years of probation on Friday, January 6, in a New York courtroom. Judge Sydney Stein ordered her to report to prison on 17 February.

Cohen said he hopes to speak to Shah before she goes to federal prison in February. “I hope to speak with Jen this weekend. I hope I can do it, sit down with her in front of the cameras and get it to you.” See what’s happening live the owner explained. “I really hope to do it.”

Cohen added that he initially thought the reality TV star would be able to leave in just a few years. However, he was surprised to learn that since she was federally sentenced, she must serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence.

“It will be a big loss for the show,” admitted the Missouri native.

Despite Shah’s legal troubles, Bravo’s chief executive is planning how to get The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4 is even better.

“I got so many tweets from people saying that it was such an interesting period when she was waiting for the verdict and people were saying to me: “Well, is she on the show or not?” I’m like, “Do you understand that this woman will be sentenced to jail on January 6?” he asked during the broadcast on Monday. They won’t give her time. So you tell me is she on the show? For example, what do you want me to say about her being on the show? She will serve her time. So you tell me, is she on the show or not? I don’t understand what people want me to say. … It seems that the judge understood everything for us, didn’t he?”

However, even without Shah, Cohen is confident that next season will bear fruit. “We have great casting for next season,” Cohen explained. “I feel good. But I say it’s a loss. It’s a loss to lose her from the show.

Shah was arrested in March 2021 along with a former assistant Stuart Smith. Shah, who initially pleaded not guilty, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. During Filming ROSLCShah claimed that she felt “wrongly accused” by the authorities, however, in July 2022, she changed her plea. The money laundering charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.

Awaiting the reality TV star’s sentencing, Cohen spoke exclusively Us weekly in November 2022 that he didn’t expect Shah to be single in season 4. “I hope she doesn’t get jail time at all and can come back…but I have a feeling she won’t be available to be on the show. “, he shared.

He added: “Some people on Twitter were like, ‘We want Jen next season.’ And I’m like, “Okay, talk to the judge.”