ATLANTA (AP) — On Wednesday, Julie Chrisley, the reality TV star, was scheduled for a re-sentencing after an appeals court mandated a review of her original sentence related to bank fraud and tax evasion charges.
Julie and her husband, Todd Chrisley, rose to fame through their show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which showcased their affluent lifestyle and close-knit family dynamics. In 2022, a jury convicted them of conspiring to deceive community banks, securing over $30 million in fraudulent loans. Additionally, they were found guilty of tax evasion for concealing their income.
The Chrisleys weren’t alone in the courtroom; their accountant, Peter Tarantino, faced charges as well. He was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and for submitting false tax returns.
In June, a three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed the convictions of the Chrisleys and Tarantino but identified a legal miscalculation in Julie Chrisley’s sentencing. They noted that the trial judge incorrectly held her accountable for the entire bank fraud operation instead of focusing on her specific involvement. Consequently, they remanded her case for re-sentencing.
As part of a recent filing, federal prosecutors argued for reinstating Julie Chrisley’s initial seven-year sentence. In contrast, her defense attorneys requested a reduced sentence, suggesting that a five-year term would be more appropriate, particularly highlighting the difficulties their two youngest children have faced in her absence.
The prosecution previously laid out details of the fraudulent activities during the trial, alleging that prior to their rise as television personalities, Julie and Todd, alongside a former business partner, presented false information to acquire loans from Atlanta-area banks. They allegedly diverted these funds toward extravagant expenditures on luxury items, real estate, and travel, while using new fraudulent loans to cover existing debts. This cycle culminated in Todd Chrisley’s bankruptcy, where he reportedly evaded over $20 million in loan obligations.
Julie Chrisley was initially sentenced to seven years in federal prison, while Todd received a longer term of 12 years. They were also ordered to repay $17.8 million in restitution.
In their appeals, both Chrisleys contested various elements of their convictions and sentences, while Tarantino sought to have his conviction overturned and a new trial granted. However, the appellate court identified only a single sentencing error, clarifying that the judge had erroneously attributed the entire bank fraud operation’s timeline starting from 2006 to Julie, without credible evidence linking her to that year’s activities. Nonetheless, they acknowledged sufficient evidence connecting her to fraudulent actions beginning in 2007.
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Todd Chrisley, 56, is currently incarcerated in a minimum-security federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, with a scheduled release date in September 2032. Meanwhile, Julie Chrisley, 51, has been held at a facility in Lexington, Kentucky. Tarantino, 62, is residing in a halfway house near Atlanta, with an anticipated release in March.
