Federal Judge Resentences Julie Chrisley to Seven Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion Charges
Julie Chrisley, known for her role on the reality TV show “Chrisley Knows Best,” has been resentenced to seven years in prison by a federal judge. This comes after her conviction on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. Chrisley had requested a reduced sentence, but the judge declined.
In 2022, Julie and her husband Todd Chrisley were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of over $30 million in fraudulent loans. They were also convicted of tax evasion for hiding their earnings. The couple gained fame through their show, which showcased their extravagant lifestyle and close-knit family.
A three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions but identified a legal error in how Julie’s sentence was calculated. The panel found that she was held accountable for the entire bank fraud scheme when determining her sentence. As a result, her case was sent back to the lower court for resentencing.
During the resentencing hearing, Julie’s attorney argued that she played a minor role in the crimes and made dramatic mistakes. He also highlighted her good behavior during her time in prison so far, where she has taken advantage of enrichment opportunities and received numerous certificates.
On the other hand, federal prosecutor Annalise Peters urged the judge to reimpose the original seven-year sentence. Peters argued that Julie was an integral part of the fraudulent scheme and had not shown remorse or admitted wrongdoing.
Julie addressed the court wearing a navy blue prison uniform with dark brown hair instead of her usual blond locks. She apologized for her actions and acknowledged that being in prison has been incredibly difficult for both herself and her family.
Before becoming reality TV stars, Todd Chrisley along with his wife submitted false documents to banks in Atlanta to obtain fraudulent loans according to prosecutors during their trial. They accused them of spending lavishly on luxury items while using new fraudulent loans to pay off old ones before filing bankruptcy.
U.S District Judge Eleanor Ross explained that when she initially sentenced Julie, she considered factors such as age, health conditions as well as being responsible for young children and elderly parents at home; therefore imposing a below-guidelines sentence based on these circumstances rather than loss amount or duration involved with criminal activities.
