Reality TV Star Julie Chrisley Resentenced to 7 Years in Prison Amid Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion Charges

A federal judge reaffirmed Julie Chrisley’s seven-year prison sentence on Wednesday in connection with her conviction for bank fraud and tax evasion, rejecting the reality television personality’s plea for a reduced sentence. Chrisley, alongside her husband Todd, became household names through their show, Chrisley Knows Best, which showcased their family’s opulent lifestyle and strong familial bonds.

The Chrisleys were found guilty in 2022, with the jury determining they conspired to deceive community banks, procuring over $30 million in fraudulent loans. Additionally, the couple was convicted of evading taxes by concealing their income.

A three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld their convictions in June but identified an error in how the trial judge originally calculated Julie Chrisley’s sentence, attributing the entire bank fraud scheme to her. The appellate court directed the case back to the lower court for reevaluation of her sentencing.

Julie’s defense attorney, Alex Little, advocated for a reduced sentence of no more than five years. He asserted that her role in the fraudulent operations was minimal, characterizing her involvement as a series of “sporadic missteps.” Little also highlighted her exemplary behavior during her 20-month imprisonment, which included earning over 70 certificates for personal enrichment.

In court documents, Little emphasized the struggles her two youngest children have faced in her absence, citing difficulty with daily routines.

Federal prosecutor Annalise Peters countered by urging the court to maintain the original seven-year sentence. Peters contended that Julie Chrisley was central to the elaborate fraud scheme and had shown no remorse or acknowledgment of her wrongdoing. Peters also noted that while Chrisley’s good conduct in prison was commendable, it did not erase what she described as an “11-year odyssey of continuous deceit.”

“I feel for Ms. Chrisley’s family,” Peters stated, “but their hardship is an inevitable outcome of her criminal actions.”

Chrisley, donning a navy blue prison uniform and with her once blonde hair now darkened, addressed the court with an apology. “I regret my actions that have led to this point,” she said. Chrisley further described her time in prison as “the most challenging period of my life” and expressed sorrow over the strain it has caused her family. “I can never make amends to my children for what they’ve endured, and for that, I am profoundly sorry.”

Before their rise to fame, the Chrisleys, along with a former business associate, submitted falsified documents to banks in the Atlanta region to secure fraudulent loans. Prosecutors, during the trial, revealed the couple’s extravagant spending on luxury vehicles, designer apparel, real estate, and lavish vacations—all funded through continued loan fraud. When Todd Chrisley eventually declared bankruptcy, prosecutors said, he left behind over $20 million in unpaid loans.

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross, who originally sentenced Chrisley, noted that she had taken factors like Julie’s age, health, and her role as a caregiver into account. At the time, Ross imposed a sentence below the suggested guidelines and what prosecutors had sought. However, she reiterated that the reduction was not based on the total loss amount or the length of time Chrisley was involved, and therefore, her sentence would not be adjusted.

Judge Ross also pointed out that many individuals she has sentenced to prison are parents, adding that most lack the resources or support systems the Chrisleys have. “It pains me each time I witness children suffering as a result,” she said, before adding, “But I remind myself, I did not make the decisions that placed these children in this predicament.”

Two of Julie Chrisley’s adult children, Savannah and Chase, attended the hearing. Outside the courtroom, Savannah—who spoke at the Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump’s presidential bid—criticized the proceedings, claiming that her parents’ prosecution and sentencing were politically charged.

“That’s what happens when you have an Obama-appointed judge,” she remarked as her mother was escorted from the courtroom by U.S. marshals. Judge Ross, indeed appointed by President Barack Obama in 2014, has presided over the case since.

Savannah Chrisley confirmed that her mother would appeal the new sentence.

Todd Chrisley is currently serving a 12-year prison term, with his release scheduled for September 2032. Julie Chrisley, held at a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, is expected to return there following her resentencing. The couple had originally been ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution, but Judge Ross noted on Wednesday that the outstanding amount has now been reduced to $4.7 million.