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Jennifer Shah Sentenced To Prison For Mega Fraud

Jennifer Shah one of the stars of The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake is going to spend the next six and a half years in prison for a wide spread telemarketing fraud. According to court documents Jennifer Shah played a key role in a National telemarketing scheme that ran for over nine years and targeted the elderly. Jennifer Shah would plead guilty to wire fraud and her lawyers were hoping for a three year sentence however prosecutors wanted a ten year prison sentence. The judge seemed to just take the average and sentenced Jennifer Shah to 78 months or six and a half years in a Federal prison.

Jennifer Shah More News

A judge sentenced a member of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” to 6 1/2 years in prison on Friday for defrauding thousands of people nationwide in a telemarketing scam, many of them vulnerable or older.

U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein announced the sentence for Jennifer Shah after she sobbed while apologizing for the fraud. Stein presided over her guilty plea in July to a conspiracy charge for participating in a massive fraud for nearly a decade.

At the start of Shah’s sentencing hearing, Stein cautioned a packed Manhattan courtroom that he was not sentencing the person people see on television. Stein said that person is “simply a character. It’s acting.”

He said the housewives program “involves role playing. … It’s a heavily scripted operation.”

When Jennifer Shah, 49, had a chance to speak, she too said she is not the person she is on the show.

She pledged to pay $6.5 million in restitution and forfeiture when she gets out of prison, and she apologized to everyone cheated by the fraud.

During the hearing, defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry said her client has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent months.

“Remorse can be genuine even if it shows up late. … Her apology is real,” she said.

A prosecutor disputed the turnaround, saying he didn’t believe she showed any remorse at all, even at her plea.

Prosecutors said in a presentence submission that Shah should get a decade in prison, noting that she used profits from her fraud to live a life of luxury that included a nearly 10,000-square-foot mansion with eight fireplaces dubbed “Shah Ski Chalet” in the resort haven of Park City, Utah. The home, they said, is now listed for sale for $7.4 million.

They said she also rented an apartment in midtown Manhattan, leased a Porsche Panamera, bought hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of luxury goods and funded various cosmetic procedures while cheating the Internal Revenue Service of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Prosecutors attacked her behavior after her arrest on March 30, 2021, saying Jennifer Shah lied to law enforcement in a voluntarily recorded interview before going on a reputation-cleansing public campaign in which she “repeatedly, vehemently, and falsely proclaimed her innocence.”

The government said she also seemed to mock the charges against her by claiming that the “only thing I’m guilty of is being Shah-mazing” and then she profited from it by marketing “Justice for Jen” merchandise after her arrest as she directed others to lie while trying to conceal her conduct from investigators

The fraud, authorities said, stretched from 2012 to March 2021 as bogus services were promoted as enabling people to make substantial amounts of money through online businesses.

Meanwhile, defense attorneys minimized Shah’s role in the fraud in their presentence submission to the judge, saying there were “many, many people” involved in the long-lasting telemarketing scheme that led so many individuals to buy worthless services from companies in which Shah was involved.

They wrote that the fraud was “a mistake that has not only ruined her own life, but has broken her heart as she has watched the damage that her actions have caused.”

It was carried out, the lawyers said, “as part of an industry operating with a fine line between what is legal and illegal.

“Ms. Shah was involved in both the legitimate and fraudulent sides of this industry,” her lawyers said.

Noting that one individual already sentenced in the fraud received more than seven years in prison, the lawyers said Shah wasn’t like codefendants who “are essentially career conmen; people who have spent their lives hopping from scheme to scheme; professional fraudsters without an honest dollar to their names.”

They added: “Before she committed these acts, Ms. Shah’s entire life, for more than four decades, was marked by hard, honest work, respectable achievement, and a hard-earned reputation for true generosity.”

https://myfox8.com/news/jennifer-shah-of-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-sentenced-to-6-1-2-years/

Ex UFC Fighter Phil Baroni Arrested For Murder

Ex UFC fighter Phil Baroni has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend in Mexico. According to initial reports Phil Baroni was arrested after local police arrived at his residence after he called saying that he was fighting with his girlfriend, threw her into the shower where she hit her head and collapsed. Phil Baroni would then say he would help her to the bed where she would lose consciousness and he would call emergency services. However when police arrived they would discover the woman nude on the bed and covered in bruises to her body and face, Phil Baroni also had bruising to his hand. Phil Baroni would be arrested and charged with murder

Phil Baroni More News

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Phil Baroni has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend according to a report from Tribuna De La Bahia.

The former mixed martial artist and boxer was in San Pancho, Mexico, where he was arrested and charged with murder. According to the report, Baroni got into an argument with his girlfriend after she revealed she had cheated on him. Baroni then allegedly threw her into the shower after she refused to take one, which caused her to fall and hit her head. Baroni claims he helped her back to bed, then left the room to get her cigarettes and beer upon her request. When he came back into the room, the woman was unconscious.

These pictures are shared by outlet “Observando la Bahía”. Beard, hand tattoos, built, and the fact that Baroni had posted recently of being in San Francisco, Nayarit, match things. pic.twitter.com/xWl0RrBBK8

— Rodrigo Del Campo González (@RodDelCampo) January 4, 2023

Baroni alerted police, who found his girlfriend lying naked on the bed covered in a sheet with no vital signs. Bruises on her face and body indicate she was assaulted. An autopsy will be held to figure out the cause of death.

Known as the “New York Bad Ass,” Baroni was a fan-favorite fighter due to his action-heavy style and boisterous persona. Ultimately, Baroni left the sport with a middling record of 16-19, having gone 3-6 inside the Octagon. The 49-year-old last fought in mixed martial arts in 2019, although he boxed professionally in 2021. Baroni also had several pro wrestling matches, including a match for Game Changer Wrestling at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport in 2019.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ufc-veteran-phil-baroni-charged-053255466.html

Kate Major Charged With 3rd DUI

Kate Major the stepmother of actress Lindsay Lohan has been arrested and charged with DUI for the third time. According to police reports Kate Major was arrested after officers saw her sitting in a Target parking lot at 2am in the morning and when officers approached her she was reeking of booze. Unfortunately for Kate Major the car was running which makes it a DUI. Kate Major was previously arrested for DUI in 2020 in New York and 2014 in Florida.

Kate Major More News

Lindsay Lohan’s stepmom and her father Michael Lohan’s estranged wife, Kate Major, has been arrested and charged with her third DUI.

Major, 40, was charged in Shenandoah, Texas, last month after police spotted her in the parking lot of a shopping center at 2AM as she sat in her idling car and ‘reeked of booze’ according to TMZ.

The former showbiz reporter – who filed for legal separation from Lindsay’s father, 62, in 2015 – reportedly told law enforcement she was driving around and trying to find a friend that she’d argued with.

Major reportedly underwent field sobriety testing, which she failed, prompting the officer to arrest her for felony DWI.

She was charged with a felony due to having two prior convictions for driving while intoxicated.

Major was previously arrested in 2020 in New York, and earlier in 2014 in Florida

In 2020 Michael was arrested and charged for allegedly choking Kate and harassing her, though the choking charge was later dropped.

‘I did not touch her, I wasn’t near her, this is just a lie,’ Michael told DailyMail.com just after he was released from custody on Tuesday February 11 in Southampton, New York.

Michael claimed that the assault and choking accusations were fabricated by his wife, in retaliation for the fact that he called the police on her, leading to her arrest for driving under the influence on February 9th.

‘This is all in retaliation to me getting her arrested for DWI. That’s all it is,’ he claimed.

In lieu of jail time or probation he entered a ‘limited protective order’ with respect to Kate – meaning he can be in contact with her, but ‘must not threaten, harass or abuse her’ in any way.

Major legally separated from Michael in 2015, after claiming he tried to sabotage her time in rehab.

At the time she alleged that Michael smuggled a cellphone to her, hidden inside a teddy bear – breaking strict rules on patients not having phones

hat same year she was arrested for ‘drunkenly attacking’ Michael at their Florida home.

The two have been married since 2014, and share two sons – Landon, nine, and Logan, seven – together.

In 2015, the couple lost custody of their children and were only allowed supervised visits and were also ordered to take anger management classes.

Lohan was previously married to Lindsay’s mom Dina from 1985 until 2007.

The two share four children together: daughters Lindsay, 36, and Aliana, 29, and sons Michael, 35, and Cody, 26.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11585811/Michael-Lohans-estranged-wife-Kate-Major-arrested-charged-DUI-Texas.html

Tory Lanez Guilty Of Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

Tory Lanez has been found guilty of the shooting incident involving Megan Thee Stallion. According to court documents Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion were involved in an argument that ended with the Canadian rapper firing gunshots at Megan feet. The incident which ended with Megan Thee Stallion suffering injuries to her feet and legs from bullet fragments. Now Tory Lanez is facing up to twenty years in a California prison and possible deportation back to Canada.

Tory Lanez Guilty Of Megan Thee Stallion Shooting More News

In a courtroom that turned chaotic after a trial that seethed with tension, a Los Angeles jury on Friday found rapper Tory Lanez guilty of three felonies in the 2020 shooting of hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion. The attack left her wounded with bullet fragments in her feet and Lanez’ conviction could send him to prison for more than 20 years.

Tory Lanez, who was put in handcuffs and led to jail while wearing a powder pink coat with matching pants, showed no visible reaction as the verdict was read.

But moments later, after the jury was escorted out, his father, Sonstar Peterson, leapt up and shouted “This wicked system stands judged before God almighty!” as deputies closed in on him.

Peterson then pointed to the two prosecutors and yelled “You two are evil, wicked people. You know exactly what you did.”

With considerable effort, deputies wrestled him from the courtroom, where he shouted in the hallway.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated since Thursday before convicting the 30-year-old Canadian rapper, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Jurors also agreed that there were aggravating factors in the attack, meaning Tory Lanez could face up to 22 years in prison and deportation when is is sentenced on Jan 25.

Three young children, including Lanez’ son, sat in the front row of the courtroom while the verdict was read. A young girl cried and was hugged by Lanez’s stepmother, who was also tearful before she began shouting along with her husband.

Others in the audience shouted agreement, and one woman shouted “we love you Tory” as he was led away.

Supporters of Megan and Tory Lanez gathered outside the courthouse for most of the eight-day trial and crowded the courtroom and the hallway. The scene was tense at times, but remained mostly peaceful until the verdict was read.

Megan Thee Stallion, whose legal name is Megan Pete, testified during the trial that Lanez fired a handgun at the back of her feet and shouted for her to dance as she walked away from an SUV in which they had been riding in the Hollywood Hills in the summer of 2020. She said the two had gotten into a dispute that became especially heated when she started insulting his music.

She needed surgery to remove bullet fragments from her feet

After the verdict, her lawyer, Alex Spiro said “the jury got it right” and said he was “thankful there is justice for Meg.”

Lanez’ lawyer George Mgdesyan said they were “shocked by the verdict.”

“There was not sufficient evidence to convict Mr. Peterson,” Mgdesyan said in a statement. “We believe this case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We will be exploring all options including an appeal.”

The shooting set off a storm of cultural issues and arguments that peaked during the trial, including the reluctance of Black victims to speak to police, the protection of Black women, gender politics in hip-hop, and online toxicity.

In closing arguments, prosecutors emphasized the courage it took for Megan come forward and the vitriol the 27-year-old faced for it. They said she had no incentive to tell anything but the truth.

After the verdict, District Attorney George Gascón praised her.

“You showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve,” Gascón said in a statement. “You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face.”

Lanez’ lawyer alleged in his closing argument that the shots were actually fired by Megan’s then-best friend Kelsey Harris in a jealous fight over Tory Lanez, who tried to stop the shooting. The attorney, George Mgdesyan, argued Megan created a more sympathetic narrative by pinning the shooting on Lanez.

“Megan Pete is a liar. She lied about everything in this case from the beginning,” Mgdesyan said. “She lied under oath here.”

Harris denied being the shooter and previously identified Lanez as the one holding the gun. Her attorney, in an email, declined to comment on her involvement.

Lanez began releasing mixtapes in 2009 and saw a steady rise in popularity, moving on to major-label albums. His last two reached the top 10 on Billboard’s charts.

Megan Thee Stallion was already a major rising star at the time of the shooting, and her prominence has surged since

She won a Grammy for best new artist in 2021, and had No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with her own song “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.”

https://www.1011now.com/2022/12/24/tory-lanez-convicted-megan-thee-stallions-shooting/

Brittney Griner Prisoner Exchange With Viktor Bout The Merchant of Death

brittney griner Viktor Bout The Merchant of Death'

Brittney Griner the WNBA star who was arrested and convicted for bring Marijuana into Russia has been released after a prisoner exchange that sets Viktor Bout The Merchant of Death free. Viktor Bout who was arrested back in 2008 for trying to sell missiles that were intended to be used against US troops. Viktor Bout who was sentenced to twenty five years in prison served around ten years Brittney Griner who was sentenced to nine years in prison for bringing hashish oil into Russia has been in custody since her arrest in February 2022.

Brittney Griner of course is a celebrity which is the only reason her case attracted public attention. Yes her sentence was harsh but until recently the US Government sentenced people to decades in prison for the same amount of drugs. Viktor Bout is a dangerous individual who will probably pick up right where he left off

Brittney Griner More News

Brittney Griner, the American basketball star imprisoned in Russia, was released in an exchange for the convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, President Biden announced on Thursday. The trade ended 10 months of captivity for Ms. Griner, whose conviction on drug smuggling charges became an international cause, entangled in Russia’s deteriorating relations with the United States since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking from the White House with Ms. Griner’s wife Cherelle by his side, Mr. Biden said that he had spoken with Brittney Griner and that she would be back in the United States within 24 hours. “Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones — and she should have been there all along,” he said.

Here is what to know:

Russian officials refused to free another jailed American, Paul Whelan, despite “ceaseless efforts” by U.S. diplomats to include him in an exchange, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said. “While we celebrate Brittney’s release, Paul Whelan and his family continue to suffer needlessly,” Mr. Blinken said.
The trade freed Viktor Bout, one of the most notorious arms dealers of modern times, who earned the nickname “Merchant of Death” as he evaded capture for years. He was convicted in 2011 by a New York jury on four counts that included conspiring to kill Americans and sentenced to 25 years.
U.S. officials said Brittney. Griner, 32, was flown from Russia to the United Arab Emirates, and there boarded a plane to the United States. Arrested in February at an airport outside Moscow for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage, she had been convicted of drug smuggling and been transferred to one of Russia’s most feared penal colonies, where former inmates have described torture, harsh beatings and slave labor conditions.
The swap may have been an effort by President Vladimir V. Putin government to divert attention from Russia’s flailing war effort in Ukraine. In recent days, Ukrainian forces have struck military bases inside Russian territory with long-range drones, demonstrating their intent to bring the conflict closer to Moscow. On Wednesday, Mr. Putin acknowledged in a televised speech that Russians should expect a protracted war.

Brittney Griner, the W.N.B.A. star who was released from Russian custody on Thursday through a prisoner swap, had been found guilty of trying to smuggle illegal narcotics into Russia and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony. The Biden administration had been trying to strike a deal with Russia to free her for months.

Here is a look at the 10-month-saga that followed Ms. Griner’s February arrest at a Moscow area airport.

The Russian Federal Customs Service said that a sniffer dog had prompted it to search Griner’s carry-on luggage at Sheremetyevo airport on Feb. 17, when she traveled there to rejoin here Russian pro tem, UMMC Yekaterinburg, and that it had found vape cartridges containing hashish oil.

Hashish oil is a marijuana concentrate that has a high concentration of the psychoactive chemical THC, and it is commonly sold in cartridges that are used in vape pens. The Russian Federal Customs Service said that customs officers had noticed vapes after scanning Griner’s bag.

Brittney Griner, 32, who has played for the W.N.B.A.’s Phoenix Mercury since 2013, was convicted on a charge of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Russia in August and was sentenced to a penal colony for nine years, near the 10-year maximum. Her appeal of her conviction was denied on Oct. 25, and she was moved to a penal colony in Mordovia in November.

Brittney. Griner played for the Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg for several years during the W.N.B.A. off-season. Many American female players competed with high-paying Russian teams before the war with Ukraine. A W.N.B.A. spokeswoman said that all the others besides Griner had left Russia and Ukraine by March 5 with the war underway.

The financial incentives to play in Russia were compelling. W.N.B.A. players make a fraction of what their male counterparts do in the N.B.A. International women’s teams, which tend to have more government and corporate financial support than those in the W.N.B.A., can pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a season, and sometimes more than $1 million.

Cherelle Griner, the wife of basketball star Brittney Griner, stood next to President Biden at the White House during his announcement about her wife’s release on Thursday and said she had endured some of the “darkest moments” of her life since her partner’s arrest in Moscow in February.

Over the months, she had steadily put public pressure on the White House not to forget about her wife and she said that “today my family is whole.”

“The most important emotion I have right now is sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration. He just mentioned that this work is not easy, and it hasn’t been,” she said, adding that she also remembered the family of Paul Whelan, another American who remains imprisoned in Russia.

Cherelle Griner said in October that she had spoken to her wife just twice by phone since her detention. She said at the time that the W.N.B.A. star was afraid of being “left and forgotten.”

In her brief address, she also thanked other W.N.B.A. players for their support. The players had led social media campaigns and charity drives to support Brittney Griner, who has played for the Phoenix Mercury since 2013.

Brittney Griner was stopped in February at an airport near Moscow. Customs officials accused her of carrying vape cartridges with hashish oil in her luggage. She had been returning to Russia to play for UMMC Yekaterinburg, a powerhouse professional women’s basketball team, during the W.N.B.A. off season.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/12/08/world/brittney-griner-russia-ukraine-news