Jen Shah posted — and quickly deleted — a cryptic message about “the truth” after being sentenced to federal prison for six-and-a-half years.
The now-former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star took to her Instagram Story Wednesday to share a quote that read, “There’s something about a woman with a loud mind that sits in silence, smiling knowing she can crush you with the truth.”
Since her arrest in March 2021, Shah, 49, had aggressively maintained her innocence to family, friends, co-stars and the public.
However, in July 2022, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection to a nationwide telemarketing scheme that targeted thousands of people, predominantly the elderly.
She then learned her fate in a New York City courtroom on Jan. 6 after her sentencing date was pushed back several times.
After the hearing, her attorney, Priya Chaudry, told Page Six, “Jen Shah deeply regrets the mistakes that she has made and is profoundly sorry to the people she has hurt.”
“Jen has faith in our justice system, understands that anyone who breaks the law will be punished and accepts this sentence as just,” she continued in her statement.
“Jen will pay her debt to society, and when she is a free woman again, she vows to pay her debt to the victims harmed by her mistakes.”
Before United States District Judge Sidney Stein handed down his sentence — which includes over $6 million in restitution — Shah “tearfully apologized” to her family and the victims for her actions.
Her lawyer reiterated how “sorry” her client was, but Assistant US Attorney Robert Sobelman — who represented the federal government during the case — had his doubts.
“There is not one message from her that expresses any type of remorse, not one,” he said in court. “The defense hasn’t submitted any. That’s not how she felt even when she pled guilty.”
He also pointed to a “text message” that showed Shah “laughing” about one of her victims — “an 80-year-old woman” — who wouldn’t “stop crying.”
Additionally, Sobelman claimed that “every cooperator” who was interviewed identified Shah as the leader of the conspiracy.
Hours after the sentencing, the mother of two — who was facing a maximum of 14 years behind bars — was seen celebrating with a group of 20 at an Italian hotspot.
She is scheduled to surrender on Feb. 17 and must enter a mental health treatment program after she serves her time.