A federal jury in Atlanta convicted reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty of all charges of bank fraud and tax evasion on Tuesday.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the couple was facing charges after allegations that they swindled $30 million from local banks between 2007 and 2012. They are best known for their time on the reality TV series “Chrisley Knows Best,” which premiered in 2014 and was followed by a spinoff show called “Growing Up Chrisley.” The Chrisleys face a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail. Sentencing will take place on October 6.
Todd and Julie Chrisley Found Guilty of Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion, Face Up to 30 Years in Prison https://t.co/n04h0RCOoe
— People (@people) June 7, 2022
The Chrisleys allegedly overstated their net worth in order to secure loans after selecting smaller banks with less stringent security standards than larger, more well-known banks, according to the three-week trial. The Chrisleys’ bankruptcy filing in 2012 wiped $20 million in debt, which was also under investigation.
Prosecuting attorney Annalise Peters claimed the Chrisleys hid millions of dollars in revenue from their reality television program and dodged taxes dating back to 2009.
Todd Chrisley’s lawyer, Bruce H. Morris, said the Chrisleys were victims of Mark Braddock, who handled the Chrisleys’ firm, Chrisley Asset Management, and pointed the finger of blame at him, stating he was responsible for the fraud.
“As today’s outcome shows, when you lie, cheat, and steal, justice is blind as to your fame, fortune, and position. In the end, when driven by greed, the verdict of guilty on all counts for these three defendants proves once again that financial crimes do not pay,” Keri Farley, an FBI Atlanta special agent, said in a statement.
