The Chrisley Knows Best actors’ trial began in May 2022, more than two years after Todd and Julie Chrisley were charged with many charges of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy.
On May 17, Todd, 53, and Julie, 49, appeared in court in Atlanta for the beginning of the case. Assistant US Attorney Annalise Peters stated during the opening comments that the two lied about their income to banks in order to obtain a loan of more than $30 million.
According to Insider, Peters asserted in court that they withheld money from the IRS, saying that “they make up paperwork and they lie through their teeth to get whatever they want, whenever they want it.”
In response, the attorney for the USA stars claimed that Mark Braddock, a former employee of Todd and Julie, had impersonated Todd after being fired in 2012 to commit the crimes behind the couple’s back. In her remarks to the jury, Peters referred to Braddock as a “fraudster,” but she asserted that Todd and Julie’s alleged deception persisted after he was fired.
Peters claimed that Todd, Julie, and Braddock “targeted” community banks and engaged in “scrapbooking,” or the act of copying and pasting pieces of financial records, with the intention of concealing the money.
In 2019, Todd, who has been married to Julie since 1996, refuted the accusations.
“It all began back in 2012, when we learned that a dependable employee of ours had been seriously stealing from us. I won’t go into details, but it encompassed a lot of pretty nasty things, like fabricating paperwork and signing them without our consent while threatening to harm other workers if they spoke up. He unlawfully bugged our home, which we even found out about,” the user wrote on Instagram. To get revenge, he presented the U.S. Attorney’s office with a number of his fictitious documents and claimed that we had engaged in numerous financial crimes, including tax evasion and bank fraud. That certainly caught their interest, but after we had a chance to introduce him and explain what he had done to us, they realised it was all nonsense and sent him on his way.
At the time, Todd said the former worker “persuaded a separate set of detectives at the U.S. Attorney’s office not only to reopen the case but also to offer him immunity from prosecution for his own crimes and pursue charges against us.”
“I’m telling you all this now because we have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be embarrassed of,” he declared at the time. Not only do we know we haven’t done anything wrong, but we also have a tonne of concrete proof and numerous witnesses who agree with us to back it up.
Read on for more information on the case:
What Are Todd and Julie Chrisley Charged With?
Five counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and one case of tax fraud were brought against Todd and Julie. According to The Tennessean, Julie is also accused with one count of wire fraud and one count of obstructing justice. She has been charged with fabricating phoney bank records and a fictitious credit report in order to rent a house.
Peter Tarantino, the couple’s accountant, is also in court because he faces charges of conspiring to cheat the government and two counts of knowingly filing fake tax forms.
Tarantino, Todd, and Julie have all entered a not-guilty plea.
Who Is Mark Braddock?
Insider claims that Braddock testified in court that he became acquainted with Todd in the early 2000s after meeting him at their respective children’s schools. Till 2012, he was employed by Todd’s foreclosure management companies. Braddock stated that he generated phoney Microsoft Word documents to lie about Todd and Julie’s income in order to make them appear wealthier so that they could allegedly obtain loans. The government granted Braddock immunity in exchange for his assistance.
Morris, the attorney representing the Chrisleys, asserted that Braddock was “obsessed” with Todd and contacted the FBI on their behalf “both defence and retaliation He said Braddock had also stolen money from the couple.
What Did Todd and Julie Chrisley Spend Their Money On?
Todd and Julie, according to Braddock, were “Spending more money than they were bringing in included hiring three housekeepers, purchasing a luxury vehicle, and paying Todd’s airfare from Atlanta to California for bi-monthly hair appointments at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
“Braddock claimed the twosome received at least $60 million in loans, and alleged that the man need $500,000 to $600,000 per month just to break even.
When questioned about Todd’s assertion that he spends $300,000 annually on clothing—a claim he made on Chrisley Knows Best—the TV personality’s attorney suggested the programme wasn’t entirely accurate.
“It all contributes to the sizzle. Morris reportedly told Insider, “It’s all a part of the show. All of it is a part of the performance.
Former employee of Todd Chrisley claims that they had an intimate relationship. Todd and Julie Chrisley are accused of embezzling $30 million.
Todd Chrisley’s Former Employee Alleged They Were ‘Intimate’
“I was involved in providing him with what he need. We shared a deep, personal friendship. According to Insider, Braddock said in court that after their purported one-year romantic relationship ended, the two men had a “brotherhood” and business relationship.
The Blackmailer Claims
In court, Braddock asserted that Todd paid $38,000 in cash to an unnamed blackmailer who sent texts to Todd and Braddock threatening to reveal their alleged affair and dishonest conduct.
Todd and Julie Chrisley are accused of embezzling $30 million. Lindsie Chrisley testifies about them.
Richard Shotwell, Invision, AP, and Shutterstock
Lindsie Chrisley Testifies
Todd Chrisley’s eldest child has previously referred to him as a “monster” and claimed that he and brother Chase Chrisley threatened to make public the purported sex tape she had with them. She asserted there was no sex tape and that Todd had not attempted to blackmail her in court, according to Insider. The court reportedly reprimanded her for not taking the prosecutor’s questions seriously as well.
Closing Statements
Morris continued to criticise Braddock in his conclusion.
The Chrisleys’ attorney stated on June 2 that Mark Braddock “is the perfect picture of reasonable doubt,” calling the allegations of an affair “fantasy.”
In addition, the attorney disputed claims made by the government regarding supposed emails between the couple and Braddock ordering their former employee to alter bank records. The emails Mark Braddock provided would have been created by AOL if they had actually existed, according to Braddock.
The jury then started to deliberate.
What Was the Verdict?
On June 7, the jury came to a verdict and found the couple guilty on all counts. The twosome, according to a statement from their lawyer, were “disappointed in the verdict” and are planning to appeal. It was planned to sentence at a later time.
Was the Trial Filmed?
Us verified that the court hearings were not captured for Chrisley Knows Best one day after the couple received their decision. Part 2 of the ninth season of the show “was taped before the trial,” a source claimed.
Savannah Speaks Out
“This life is so unfair, yet we’re all trying our best,” I’ll keep supporting my family and seeking justice. In a post on social media on June 16, Todd and Julie’s oldest daughter stated, “Justice for ourselves and for those that the system has failed.” “Recently, I’ve felt betrayed by God and as though my persistent prayers have gone unanswered. But I do think He will utilise every trial and tribulation we go through to make us stronger and get us ready for a larger purpose.
So I’ll keep trusting in our Lord and Savior, Savannah said. I ask for perseverance, faith, and love. We appreciate everyone who has continued to support us. The struggle continues.
What Are Todd and Julie’s Next Steps?
The two will be sentenced on October 6, 2022. After hiring three new attorneys to their team several weeks after the June 7 verdict, Todd and Julie were given a 30-day delay to seek for acquittal. In documents submitted on June 14, the pair stated that the postponement was “essential” to allow for careful preparation of their argument and to study court transcripts.
Building Their Legal Team
The Chrisleys wanted to have three additional attorneys join their defence team before their sentencing hearing, bringing the total number of attorneys on their team to five, according to court documents obtained by Us in June. Two of the new hires are experts in entertainment law, appeals, and criminal defence cases. The couple had previously requested an acquittal after being found guilty.
Gaining More Support
On June 27, Us magazine said in an exclusive interview with the CEO of Superior Marketing, who has worked with the family, particularly Chase, that he will continue to support the group despite their ups and downs. “They are a decent family with strong values, therefore I will continue to assist them, David stated in a statement. “I believe that the public only sees the side of people that appears on television. I wish people could realise how fantastic they really are. I simply feel horrible that they are receiving so much bad press. I stand with them since I’ve seen the family’s finer side.”
When it comes to working with the Chrisley family, the businessman said he wasn’t sure what the “future will contain.” He continued, “I truly don’t know what is going to happen or what is not going to happen because sentencing isn’t until October. “I’m hoping I’ll stick with them.”
Requesting a New Court Date
The Chrisleys and Peter submitted a request in September 2022 asking the court to postpone their October 6 sentence date until November 21 or later. The request has not yet been granted by the judge.
Sentencing Date Postponed
The sentencing date for the Chrisley Knows Best actors was delayed from October 6 to November 21 in September 2022.
Facing Their Sentencing
On November 21, the couple’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to start. According to ABC News, Todd may receive a term of up to 22 years in jail, while Julie could receive a maximum of 12 and a half years. Their son Grayson had been hurt in a car accident a week before and required medical attention, according to TMZ.
After receiving a sentence in a fraud case, Todd and Julie Chrisley’s chances of winning an appeal are “quite slim,” a legal expert claims.
The Appeal
In a December 2022 episode of their Chrisley Confessions podcast, Todd and Julie disclosed that they had filed an appeal in their tax fraud case after receiving sentences of 12 and 7 years in jail, respectively.
I believe the appeal was filed yesterday or the day before yesterday, so we are unable to discuss the case at this time, Todd stated. “Our lawyers informed the courts that they intended to appeal this,”
So don’t assume we’re trying to hide something from you because we’re not allowed to tell you anything, he said. The problem is that we’ve been told we can’t.”
What Are Their Sentences?
Julie received a seven-year sentence in November 2022, while Todd received a 12-year prison term. The two will also have to complete 16 months of probation.
Chuck Chrisley Julie Chrisley’s Sentences Commencing in January 2023
Beginning Their Sentences
On January 17, 2023, the pair reported to prison, days after the judge turned down their request to postpone the commencement of their sentences by three weeks. Julie reported to the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, while Todd turned himself in at the minimum security FPC Pensacola facility in Florida. Julie was re-designated to the Kentucky facility in December 2022 after initially being assigned to FCI Marianna in Jackson County, Florida, which is a two-hour drive from Pensacola.
Black suit: Todd and Julie Chrisley Accused of Living Beyond Their Means on $30 Million in Loans: Everything You Need to Know
Could There Be a Retrial?
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in January 2023, the Chrisleys’ lawyer, Alex Little, gave an explanation of why they think they would receive a retrial.
The Georgia Department of Revenue conducted an illegal search at the outset of this investigation, according to Little. “This court has previously ruled that was unlawful, which ought to have put an end to the entire issue. That did not occur. And on the appeal, that is unquestionably something we are pursuing. The second point is that an IRS agent testified regarding the Chrisleys’ tax payments. We firmly feel that this had an impact on the jury and that a fresh trial will be necessary as a result.”
