Well, Tamra Judge took a victory lap once details about Ryan Boyajian’s legal woes surfaced. It seems that Jennifer Pedranti, Ryan’s fiancée, had a different response. During the end of the Season 18 Real Housewives of Orange County finale, news hit that Ryan was reportedly implicated in a theft and gambling scheme. Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, had an interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Photo Credit: Casey Durkin/Bravo via Getty Images
It is alleged that Ippei wired cash from Shohei’s bank account to pay off his debts from illegal gambling. So, Ryan was accused of being the middleman who worked with the bookie. Turns out, that wasn’t true.
Ryan and other “associates” were accused by some of gambling with the cash at casinos. Allegedly, Ryan is now cooperating with the investigation. It was confirmed he has full immunity in this case.
Jennifer Pedranti shares her take on Ryan Boyajian’s legal saga
Jenn and her co-stars discussed the stunning turn of events in a segment on Bravo’s HQ. “I’m telling you, when that article hit, I didn’t see Ryan all day. Ryan went left, I went right, our phones were blowing up, my mom and dad were in the middle of France on a trip like, ‘Are you OK? Is Ryan going to jail?'” Jenn explained. “I truly felt like the world stopped, and that is not an exaggeration.”
She continued, “We were reached out to and [they] said, ‘Hey, ESPN wants to write this article. Ryan’s name was mentioned because of your platform, and he’s friends with the bookie,'” Jennifer stated.
“We were like … ‘Why is Ryan’s name being mentioned?’ Ryan was like, ‘Well, yeah, then just say they’re best friends and we support them through what they’re going through and Ryan’s not a bookie.'” Jenn added, “They were like, ‘Perfect.'”
Next, Jenn explained that this messy scandal wasn’t news to her and Ryan. “I think what people don’t understand is we have known the situation for a long time. Those are our best friends and we are with them all the time,” she said.
“There’s nothing about [Ryan] that I don’t know and there’s nothing about me that he doesn’t know. We just are best friends and we communicate really well.” Jenn continued, “I love that man so much. I’m so grateful for him.” Well, I guess the engagement is still on then!
Jenn’s RHOC co-stars weigh in
Meanwhile, Jenn’s friends and co-stars gave their two cents. “From everything that I’ve gathered and read and heard, I don’t know how you consistently go to Vegas, on private jets, and spend money like crazy, and lose $4 million at the table, and have millions of dollars going into an account with your name on it, and you don’t know anything,” Emily Simpson said. “For how long can you consistently say, ‘I just didn’t know’?” she asked. “That’s not a defense.”
Then Gina Kirschenheiter said, “It wasn’t great, and it doesn’t read great for him.” Plus, Shannon Beador added, “I don’t really know everything about Ryan’s legal situation. And, again, it’s not my business.” She continued, “Jenn says everything is OK. Everything’s gonna be OK. So I’m hoping that it is for both of them. Unlike some, I wish the best for people.”
Next up was Alexis Bellino. “I love Jenn, and I just want to support my friend,” Alexis remarked. “I mean, it’ll unfold how it unfolds. But at this point, I’m just going to support Jenn.”
And, finally, Tamra, with her suspicious gut, spoke a few words. “He keeps claiming he’s innocent. I guess time will tell,” she said. And for once, I agree with Tamra. Fingers crossed Jenn emerges unscathed by this legal scandal.
The Real Housewives of Orange County continues on Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.
