Julie Chrisley, the reality TV star known from “Chrisley Knows Best,” had her sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion thrown out on Friday. A federal appeals court ordered a lower court to redo her punishment, citing a “narrow issue” in the original sentencing.
Julie and her husband, Todd Chrisley, were convicted in 2022 for defrauding community banks out of over $30 million through fraudulent loans. They were also found guilty of tax evasion by hiding their earnings while flaunting an extravagant lifestyle. Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also convicted of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and filing false tax returns.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions but found a legal error in how the trial judge calculated Julie Chrisley’s sentence. The appellate panel ruled that the judge improperly held her accountable for the entire fraud scheme, starting in 2006, without specific evidence of her involvement that early.
Alex Little, the Chrisleys’ attorney, expressed mixed feelings, stating, “We’re pleased that the Court agreed that Julie’s sentence was improper, but we’re obviously disappointed that it rejected Todd’s appeal.”
Before their reality TV fame, the Chrisleys and a business partner submitted false documents to Atlanta banks to obtain loans. Prosecutors accused them of using the money for luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate, and travel, and using new fraudulent loans to pay off old ones. Todd Chrisley eventually filed for bankruptcy, leaving more than $20 million in unpaid loans.
Julie Chrisley was originally sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and Todd received 12 years. They were also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.
Their defense argued that an IRS officer lied during the trial and that prosecutors didn’t correct the false testimony. They also claimed insufficient evidence for the convictions. Tarantino’s lawyer requested a new trial, arguing his client was harmed by being tried with the Chrisleys, but this was denied.
The appellate judges found only one error: the trial judge held Julie responsible for the entire scheme from 2006 without specific evidence. The panel ruled there was enough evidence of her involvement from 2007 onwards.
Julie Chrisley will now be re-sentenced to determine the correct loss amount attributable to her.
Todd Chrisley, 56, is in a minimum security prison in Pensacola, Florida, with a release date in September 2032. Julie Chrisley, 51, is in a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, due for release in July 2028. Tarantino, 61, is held in a minimum security prison in Montgomery, Alabama, and will be released in August next year.
