Julie Chrisley, known for her role in the reality TV show “Chrisley Knows Best,” achieved a significant legal victory on Friday when a federal appeals court overturned her seven-year prison sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions against both Julie and her husband, Todd Chrisley, but found a legal error in how the trial judge calculated Julie’s sentencing.
The Chrisleys were sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison in November 2022 after being found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Todd Chrisley was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, which was later reduced by two years. Julie Chrisley was given a seven-year sentence, which was reduced by 14 months in September 2023.
The three-judge panel from the appeals court identified a legal error solely in the calculation of Julie’s sentencing. According to The Associated Press, the panel found that the trial judge did not properly identify the evidence used to hold Julie liable for losses incurred before 2007. As a result, the court vacated her sentence and pretrial detention, requiring the lower court to make the necessary factual findings and calculations to determine Julie’s loss, restitution, and forfeiture before resentencing her.
Todd and Julie Chrisley’s lawyer, Alex Little, expressed mixed feelings about the court’s decision. “We’re pleased that the Court agreed that Julie’s sentence was improper, but we’re obviously disappointed that it rejected Todd’s appeal,” Little said. The Chrisley family remains hopeful for more favorable outcomes in the future.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the Chrisleys submitted fake documents to banks when applying for loans. Julie was also accused of submitting a false credit report and fake bank statements when trying to rent a house in California. Annalise Peters, a representative of the United States Attorneys’ Office, stated that the evidence was “overwhelming at trial” that the Chrisleys had “conspired to evade the IRS.”
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Julie Chrisley’s convictions included conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. She was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Julie reported to the satellite minimum security camp at the BOP facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
Todd Chrisley was convicted of similar charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. He reported to the minimum security facility, Federal Prison Camp Pensacola.
The Chrisleys’ former accountant, Peter Tarantino, was sentenced to three years in prison for willfully filing false tax returns. Peters argued that Little had not shown any “actual compelling prejudice that results from this.”
The Chrisleys experienced a minor court victory in 2019 when the Georgia Department of Revenue cleared them of a $2 million state tax evasion charge. The Department of Revenue dropped its claim that the couple owed more than $2.1 million in unpaid state taxes, penalties, and interest, updating the total outstanding debt to under $110,000.
The Chrisleys gained fame with their reality TV show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which followed their tight-knit family on the USA Network. The show, along with its spinoff “Growing Up Chrisley” and the upcoming Todd Chrisley-hosted dating show “Love Limo,” was canceled following the couple’s conviction.
The couple spent millions on designer brand clothes, luxury cars, and real estate, including two mansions in Nashville, Tennessee, reportedly worth about $9 million. In addition to prison time, the couple has been ordered to pay more than $17 million in restitution to the banks they defrauded.
Despite their legal troubles, the Chrisleys have maintained a strong public presence. Before reporting to prison, Todd Chrisley shared a now-removed Instagram post of a religious song performance, captioning it with “HE is always on time… #fightthegoodfight.” Julie Chrisley has also discussed mental health on her daughter’s podcast, emphasizing the importance of family and resilience.
The Chrisleys’ legal battles have been closely followed by their fans and the media. Their case highlights the complexities of the legal system and the challenges of navigating high-profile financial fraud cases. As the lower court prepares to resentence Julie Chrisley, the public will be watching closely to see how this next chapter unfolds.
