The context here is the rich and powerful. A reality show actor is not in that group and doesn't have those priveledges. Prosecuting someone like that does not make the powerful uncomfortable by setting a precedent so it's done all the time.
But the only time one of their in-group is sent to prison is when it hurts other rich and powerful.
There are investment fraud prosecutions literally all the time, they just get 5-10 years in prison usually, not life. They aren't on national news because few people know the scammer or the victims.
But the only time one of their in-group is sent to prison is when it hurts other rich and powerful.