By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC The Times (UK) Honduras - The Source
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 26 – Five defendants in a telemarketing scheme were presented past 8 pm on November 20, 2019 in the Magistrates Court of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The government proposed that while they could be released on their own signatures that night, but asked that they get pre-approval from Pre-Trial Services for any expenditure above $10,000.
On April 2, 2021 Jen Shah of Real Housewifes Of Salt Lake City was arraigned in the same case - and a $1 million bond, with $250,000 of it secured by case or property, required. Inner City Press live tweeted it, below.
Now on July 26, 2021, some drama: the US Attorney's Office in the wider case on July 22 filed a sentencing memo, for Derrck Larkin and Joseph DePaolo, which listed in Tier A culpability "Jennifer Shah."
Her lawyer fired back on July 26 asking to have its stricken, as unadjudicated conduct. As of this written, the sentencing memo is still up. Watch this site.
SDNY Judge Sidney Stein tried to do this arraignment on March 31, but the technology broke down. Now there's an echo but it's going forward. Judge Stein: Ms. Shah, have you read the indictment? Shah: Yes, I have. And I waive the public reading.
Judge Stein: How do you plead to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering? Shah: Not guilty. Judge Stein: Let me turn to Mr. Smith.
Judge Stein: Mr. Smith, how do you plead? Smith: Not guilty. Judge Stein: Let's talk about bail conditions. Ms. Shah you were released by a Magistrate in Utah.
Assistant US Attorney: We have a proposal on conditions. There are some on which there is a dispute.
AUSA: In Utah, Ms. Shah posted no cash. We propose a $1 million bond, secured by $250,000 in cash or property. On no contact with witnesses and victims, we want to specify that means those who purchased services, or sold them on sales floors. She can travel to DC
Judge Stein: You proposed no disbursements over $10,000 without permission. I'm going to lower it to $5000. Defense: She is on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City but she doesn't take any credit cards for that.
Judge: Does the government have possession of Ms. Shah's passport? AUSA: It was expired, and we took it. If she has another, she should surrender it. Judge: What is the risk of flight? Ms. Shah, I've come to learn, is a participant in a popular television show.
Judge: She is active on social media. It is unlikely she could disappear.
AUSA: We will make a proffer. [Meanwhile, it dawns on Inner City Press these two are part of the largest US v. Cheedie case Inner City Press has covered, here
AUSA: The penalties for $5 million money laundering, it is not clear she would remain a public persona. In any event the persona is insufficient to ensure her return to court. So, a modest security. Judge: Is $250,000 modest? AUSA: She has access to it.
Judge Stein: Let me here from the defense. Defense: We do not believe she has any active passport. She had hired us to defend her - she wants to fight this. Cash bond in not favored anyway around the country.
Judge Stein: Does she receive a salary from any of her businesses, including the Real Housewives franchise? Defense: I don't know, I haven't spoken with my client about that.
2d Defense lawyer: She is an entrepreneur. She makes some money from the show, yes.
Judge Stein: There is a risk of flight. It's not insubstantial. I'm to have her continued released, on condition of a bond of $1 million, with $250,000 secured by cash or property and 2 co-signers.
Judge Stein: She is to continue with her treatment. She can accept credit card charges for other businesses. No telemarketing.
Defense: Could we have 2 weeks for $250,000, since we're in Utah?
AUSA: Bonds can be handled remotely. 1 week.
Judge Stein: I'll do 2 weeks.
The case is US v. Cheedie, et al, 19-cr-833 (Stein).
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