American reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud, and they were sentenced to 19 years in prison.
On Monday, November 21, Todd and Julie were each given jail terms of 12 and 7 years, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta. In addition, everyone received a 16-month probationary order after serving their full terms.
The two will start serving their sentences on January 15, 2023, according to FOX5. Todd and Julie were convicted in June 2022. Federal prosecutors claim that the two were involved in a significant bank fraud plot and concealed their wealth from tax authorities while leading luxurious lives.
According to USA Network, the reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best follows “the escapades of Atlanta-based self-made billionaire Todd Chrisley and his family.”
Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley created a sophisticated fraud enterprise
Press reports claim that throughout the trial, the prosecution said that the couple submitted fraudulent documents to banks and acquired over $30 million in unauthorized loans.
When Todd and Julie were unable to pay the banks back, they declared bankruptcy. Additionally, according to the prosecution, the pair started their television reality show while bankrupt and “flaunted their money and lifestyle to the American people.” Additionally, they hid the show’s earnings from the IRS, which were allegedly in the millions.
Additionally, the prosecution said that Todd and Julie duped their friends into telling lies under oath and gave the jury false documentation.
Attorneys for Todd argued that the government’s damage estimate was inaccurate and that no proof of Todd’s fraudulent intent to any of the institutions was ever provided by the government.
Additionally, they contended that Todd’s prison term is “disproportionately severe” because his crimes were committed many years ago and he has no prior criminal record. In court, they claimed that Todd shouldn’t receive a sentence of more than nine years in prison.
In the meantime, Julie’s legal team argued in court papers that she played a minor role in the fraud case and that probation with conditions rather than prison time would be the appropriate punishment for her.
The three children of Todd and Julie are named Chase, Savannah, and Grayson. In addition, they are the parents of a 10-year-old child from the former’s first union.
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