Reality TV star and "Chrisley Knows Best" matriarch Julie Chrisley has been resentenced to seven years in prison for her role in a bank fraud and tax evasion scheme. Her husband, Todd Chrisley, was also sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 2022.
On Wednesday, Julie Chrisley was resentenced to seven years in prison for her involvement in a bank fraud and tax evasion scheme. Chrisley, who starred in the reality TV show "Chrisley Knows Best," was originally sentenced to seven years in prison in November 2022 but had her sentence reduced by 14 months in September 2023.
Chrisley's attorney, Alex Little, argued that she played a minor role in the crimes and should receive a reduced sentence. The prosecution, however, maintained that Chrisley was an active participant in the scheme and deserved a lengthy prison sentence.
Julie Chrisley Resentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Tax Evasion and Bank Fraud
In a statement to the court, Chrisley apologized for her actions and expressed remorse for the harm she had caused her family and others.
"I apologize for my actions and what led me to where I am today," Chrisley said. "Prison has been the most difficult time in my life and has been hard on my family."
Julie Chrisley Resentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Tax Evasion and Bank Fraud
Chrisley's husband, Todd Chrisley, was also sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 2022. The couple was convicted of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans, as well as conspiring to defraud the IRS.
The Chrisleys' legal team has vowed to appeal the sentences, arguing that there were errors in the trial. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals still upheld the convictions against Julie and Todd Chrisley, but the resentencing showed some leniency towards Julie.
Julie Chrisley Resentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Tax Evasion and Bank Fraud
The couple will each have to complete 16 months of probation following the end of their prison sentences. They are scheduled to report to prison on January 17, 2023.
The Chrisleys were indicted in August 2019 on bank fraud and tax evasion charges. The couple was accused of using fraudulent documents to obtain loans from community banks and then using the money to fund their lavish lifestyle. They were also accused of concealing their income from the IRS.
In June 2023, a three-judge panel found a legal error in how the trial judge calculated Chrisley's sentencing for the bank fraud scheme. This led to her resentencing on Wednesday.
The Chrisleys' legal troubles have had a significant impact on their family. The couple's children, Lindsie, Kyle, Chase, and Savannah, have all spoken out about the toll the situation has taken on them.
Lindsie Chrisley, the couple's eldest daughter, has said that the legal battles have been "heartbreaking" and "draining."
"It's been a rollercoaster of emotions," Lindsie Chrisley said. "I've been angry, I've been sad, I've been hurt, and I've been betrayed."
The Chrisleys' children have also been impacted financially by their parents' legal troubles. In June 2023, it was reported that the couple's assets had been frozen and that their children were struggling to pay their bills.
The Chrisleys' legal saga is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of financial responsibility. The couple's actions have not only landed them in prison but have also caused irreparable harm to their family and their legacy.
