Julie Chrisley’s 7-Year Prison Sentence Stands After Denied Appeal

Julie Chrisley, known for her role on the reality show “Chrisley Knows Best,” will continue to serve her seven-year prison sentence following a federal judge’s decision. This ruling comes after a legal review indicated that the previous court had miscalculated the prison time related to her involvement in a significant fraud scheme.

In a federal court session held in Atlanta, a judge addressed the implications of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ findings. These findings pointed out that there was insufficient evidence to fully support the extent of Chrisley’s participation in the bank fraud scheme that she and her husband, Todd Chrisley, had been convicted of.

The court filing reveals that U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross reaffirmed her earlier ruling while offering a detailed justification for the sentence. During the hearing, which lasted nearly an hour, Chrisley was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She is also required to pay over $4.7 million in restitution, a sum the prosecution claimed she had illegally obtained.

An attorney for the Chrisley family had sought to have Julie’s sentence reduced. However, U.S. attorneys presented strong arguments indicating that Julie was an integral part of the fraudulent activities.

During the hearing, Chrisley expressed remorse for her actions. She acknowledged the profound challenges of her incarceration, stating it has been “the most difficult time in my life.” She conveyed her sorrow for the distress her actions had caused her children.

Judge Ross emphasized that her original sentence was already considered lenient, being less than what the prosecution had initially pursued. Notably, Julie’s children, Savannah and Chase Chrisley, were present at the hearing to support their mother.

Additionally, the judge addressed Todd Chrisley’s case, revealing that he had received over $17 million as a result of his crimes, and he has been ordered to forfeit that amount to the government also.

Following the ruling, Julie Chrisley has returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals. In terms of timelines, Julie is projected to be released from custody in April 2028, while Todd’s release is anticipated in July 2032.

The couple, who portrayed affluent real estate investors on their USA Network series, faced legal challenges after being convicted in June 2022. They were found guilty of various charges, including conspiracy to defraud banks out of more than $36 million and tax evasion.

In addition to these charges, Julie Chrisley was convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud. A few months post-verdict, Todd Chrisley received a sentence of 12 years, while Julie received a seven-year sentence. Both began their sentences in January 2023.

Overall, “Chrisley Knows Best” enjoyed a successful run for a decade, airing from 2014 until 2023. It was complemented by a spin-off, “Growing Up Chrisley,” which focused on the couple’s adult children and aired for four seasons.

Source: USA Today