Why was Jen Shah imprisoned less than the Chrisleys? (Exclusive) – Hollywood Life

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There have been many comparisons between Jen Shah and Todd and Julie Chrisleyrespective prison sentences. The The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star was given 6.5 years after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a telemark scheme targeting the elderly, while Todd was given 12 years and Julie was given 7 years for tax evasion and bank fraud. Many people, including Todd and Julie’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley – asked why Jen, 49, had less time, when her crimes appear to be far worse than what Todd, 53, and Julie, 50, did. HollywoodLife spoke to the lawyer and the former prosecutor, Alphonse Provinzianowho explained to us in an EXCLUSIVE interview why Jen received a lighter prison sentence than the Chrisleys.

“In the Shah case, she reached a plea bargain with the prosecutor. In contrast, the Chrisleys took the case to court and still maintain their innocence,” said Attorney Provinziano, a longtime Los Angeles family law attorney. “As a result, the sentence is not worked out in advance with the prosecutor, and can often be worse,” he also said.

Jen pleaded guilty to her alleged crimes last year and will begin her prison sentence on February 17. Meanwhile, the Chrisleys have never admitted that they tried to defraud banks and hide money from the tax authorities. The Chrisley knows best the stars were denied bail after appealing their verdict and entered their respective jails on January 17.

“Todd and Julie are still fighting for their appeal,” attorney Provinziano said HL. “Shah took responsibility and indicated that she had defrauded victims. It is something that the court must consider, namely the acceptance of responsibility and financial responsibility,” he added. “The fact that the Chrisleys maintain their innocence is a factor which the court would consider to be aggravating since the jury found them guilty of the offenses charged.”

Attorney Provinziano also confirmed that Jen and the Chrisleys being reality stars likely played a subtle role in the outcome of their respective legal cases. “The justice system is supposed to be blind to parties, respective positions in life, reality TV star or very low income person. Nevertheless, the fact that this case is in the media and that there is a spotlight on what is happening should be on everyone’s mind,” he said.

While Jen is supposed to serve 6.5 years (78 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, lawyer Provinziano explained that the Bravo star could be released sooner, either by winning his appeal or with a “good behavior”. Jen will serve her sentence in a minimum-security facility for women in Texas.

As for the Chrisleys, attorney Provinziano thinks things “look grim” for the couple, who are still trying to appeal their case. He said it would be a “heavy burden” for the Chrisleys’ lawyers to prove their case that the government lied to jurors in the tax evasion case.

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