Reality TV Stars Face Up to 20 Years in Prison for Tax Fraud

Reality TV stars Todd, and Julie Chrisley were motivated by greed when they engaged in a massive bank fraud tax evasion scheme, concealing their wealth from tax authorities. According to federal prosecutors, they flaunted their lavish lifestyle, arguing that reality TV stars should face lengthy prison sentences.

The Chrisleys rose to prominence through their show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which follows their close-knit, boisterous family. They were convicted on federal charges in June and will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in a hearing that begins Monday and is expected to last Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, federal prosecutors determined the upper end of the sentencing guideline range for Todd Chrisley is nearly 22 years and about 12 and a half years for Julie Chrisley using a process that calculates a sentencing guideline range based on several factors. Prosecutors wrote in court that the couple should be ordered to pay restitution.

“The Chrisleys have built an empire on the lie that their wealth was earned through hard work and dedication,” prosecutors wrote. “The unanimous verdict establishes the truth: Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by hopping from one fraud scheme to the next, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every turn.”

TV Stars Found Guilty

The Chrisleys disagree with the government’s calculation of guidelines. Todd Chrisley’s attorneys argued in a filing that he should not be sentenced to more than nine years in prison and that the judge should sentence him below the guidelines’ lower end. Julie Chrisley’s attorneys wrote that probation with special conditions and no prison time would be a reasonable sentence for her.

In June, the Chrisleys were both found guilty of bank fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS. Julie Chrisley was also found guilty of wire fraud and obstructing the administration of justice.

The couple’s accountant, Peter Tarantino, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and willfully filing false tax returns. He will be sentenced alongside the Chrisleys.

According to prosecutors, the couple submitted forged documents to banks and obtained more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. When Todd Chrisley declared bankruptcy, they walked away from their obligation to repay the loans once that scheme fell apart.

While in bankruptcy, they began their reality show and “promoted their wealth and lifestyle to the American public,” according to prosecutors. When they started making millions of dollars from their show, they hid the money from the IRS to avoid paying taxes.

Fraud and obstructive behaviour

Prosecutors wrote that the Chrisleys submitted a false document to a grand jury investigating their crimes and then convinced friends and family members to tell lies while testifying under oath during their trial. Prosecutors wrote that neither of them has shown any remorse and has instead blamed others for their own criminal behaviour.

Prosecutors wrote, “The Chrisleys are unique given the varied and wide-ranging scope of their fraudulent conduct and the extent to which they engaged in fraud and obstructive behaviour for a prolonged period of time.”

In a court filing, Todd Chrisley’s lawyers stated that the government never produced any evidence that he intended to defraud any of the banks and that the loss amount calculated by the government was incorrect.

They also pointed out that the offences he was convicted of occurred long ago. He has no serious criminal history and medical conditions that “would render incarceration disproportionately harsh,” they wrote.

Letters from friends and business associates demonstrating “a history of good deeds and striving to help others” were submitted by his lawyers.

TV Stars Seek Probation

According to his lawyers, people who rely on Chrisley, including his mother and the “scores of people” employed by his television shows, will suffer while he is imprisoned.

They urged the judge to sentence him to less than the guideline range, followed by supervised release and restitution.

Julie Chrisley’s attorneys stated in a filing that she played only a minor role in the conspiracy and was not present when the loans mentioned in sentencing documents were obtained.

Her lawyers requested a sentence of probation, restitution, and community service because she has no prior convictions, is an asset to her community, and has “extraordinary family obligations.”

The Chrisleys have three children, one of whom is 16 years old, and have full custody of Todd Chrisley’s son from a previous marriage’s 10-year-old daughter. According to the filing, Julie Chrisley is the primary caregiver for her ailing mother-in-law.

Her attorneys presented letters from family and friends demonstrating that she is “hardworking, unfailingly selfless, devoted to her family and friends, highly respected by all who know her, and strong of character.”

If the judge sentences both Chrisleys to prison, Julie Chrisley’s lawyers have asked that their sentences be staggered so that she can remain supervised until her husband’s sentence is completed or until their granddaughter turns 18.

VOR News