Todd and Julie Chrisley have been serving their prison sentences since January 2023. The "Chrisley Knows Best" stars were convicted of federal fraud charges and concealing their wealth from tax authorities, resulting in a combined sentence of 19 years.
Initially, Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky. However, their sentences were later shortened, as confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons on September 8, 2023.
In a recent interview with NewsNation's "Banfield," Todd Chrisley discussed his living conditions in prison and alleged retaliation by prison staff for conducting interviews. He claimed that he was denied access to the prison chapel during a service because of his interviews with the media, viewing it as an attempt to intimidate him.
Despite attempts to reach out for comment, Todd Chrisley's attorney and the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola did not respond to inquiries from YEPPOST.com.
Meanwhile, their children, Savannah and Chase Chrisley, have shared updates about the challenging conditions their parents are facing.
The legal case of Todd and Julie Chrisley has garnered significant attention, and ongoing developments continue to unfold.
March 2017: Todd Chrisley is investigated in Georgia
As per WSB-TV, an Atlanta area television station, the head of the family was being investigated by the state due to revelations that he had not paid Georgia income taxes for several years.
August 2019: Todd and Julie Chrisley are indicted
According to NBC News, the reality television stars were indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta on charges including 12 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Additionally, Peter Tarantino, the family accountant, faced charges in Georgia's Northern District.
Despite the charges, Todd Chrisley maintained his innocence in a detailed statement, asserting on Instagram that they had not engaged in any wrongdoing.
"We have no secrets and nothing to be ashamed of," he wrote in part. "We not only believe in our innocence but also possess substantial evidence and numerous witnesses to support it."
October 2019: Georgia tax case against the couple is settled
The couple resolved their Georgia state tax evasion charge by agreeing to pay $147,944.75 to settle the case with the Georgia Department of Revenue. They also received a refund of over $66,000 for tax years 2013 to 2016, as reported by NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta.
Despite this settlement, the couple still faced a federal indictment consisting of 12 counts.
Their representatives informed NBC News that although they were accused of evading nearly $2 million in taxes between 2008 and 2016, they had actually overpaid the state in four of those years.
In a statement released by their representatives, Todd Chrisley expressed gratitude that the Department of Revenue was willing to examine all the evidence, stating, "Julie and I knew all along that we had done nothing wrong and that when the facts all came out, we would be fine."
June 2022: Todd and Julie Chrisley are convicted on federal fraud charges
Following the commencement of their trial in May, Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted on June 7, 2022, of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
As reported by NBC News, investigators alleged that the couple submitted fraudulent documents to secure bank loans and utilized a production company to conceal income from the IRS.
November 2022: Todd and Julie Chrisley are sentenced to prison
On November 21, 2022, Todd Chrisley received a 12-year prison sentence, while Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years, as confirmed by the U.S. attorney's office.
Their accountant, Tarantino, was also convicted of tax fraud for submitting false corporate tax returns on their behalf. Julie Chrisley faced additional convictions for wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
During the proceedings, the Chrisleys' legal representatives asserted that neither of them had deliberately sought to harm the banks, with Todd Chrisley expressing his intention to repay the bank loans.
Furthermore, Julie Chrisley's legal team argued that she played a minor role in the conspiracy and advocated for probation, restitution, and community service instead, as reported by the Associated Press.
The couple's attorney indicated their intent to appeal the verdict.
In a November 29 episode of the "Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley" podcast, Julie Chrisley emphasized that she had never intentionally engaged in wrongful actions.
"I've never intentionally harmed anyone," she expressed to her daughter. "I've never intentionally engaged in anything I wasn't supposed to, and yet here I am."
January 2023: Todd and Julie Chrisley report to prison
On January 17, 2023, Todd and Julie Chrisley reported to their respective prisons. Todd began his 12-year sentence at the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, while Julie began serving her seven-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky.
A few weeks later, Savannah Chrisley provided insight into how her parents were occupying their time behind bars. During a January 31 episode of her "Unlocked" podcast, she revealed that her father was immersing himself in his faith, serving in the chapel, and maintaining communication through email.
Regarding her mother, Savannah shared that Julie was socializing, attending church services, and engaging in activities like playing cards. "My mom has made friends. She's keeping herself occupied. She goes to church," Savannah explained. "She's working. She's playing some spades."
July 2023: Chase Chrisley says the prison environment is a 'nightmare'
Months later, Chase Chrisley recounted visiting his parents and witnessing what he described as "inhumane conditions" during an episode of "Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley" on July 25.
"It's a nightmare," he expressed. "Now they both have no air conditioning. They are both in states where it gets to be 100+ degrees and there's no air conditioning."
Savannah Chrisley further detailed that her mother, in particular, encountered rattlesnakes near her living area in prison. However, Chase clarified that while they weren't specifically rattlesnakes, they were indeed poisonous snakes.
"She just had snakes literally right there where her bed is," Savannah added, with Chase explaining, "And then the way they think to apprehend the snake is to mace it."
September 2023: Todd and Julie Chrisley’s prison sentences are shortened
On September 8, the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Todd Chrisley's release date has been adjusted to January 22, 2033, which is two years earlier than his initial sentence.
Similarly, Julie Chrisley's sentence has been shortened by 14 months, resulting in her new release date being October 19, 2028.
November 2023: Savannah Chrisley shares positive update about her parents' appeals
On November 21, Savannah Chrisley provided an update on her parents' appeal, revealing that the appeals court had granted their request for oral arguments.
"I am freaking out. As you know, we are spending Thanksgiving a little differently this year because I wasn't going to fake it. I wasn't going to do the traditional Thanksgiving we're always used to, but I got a call this morning and the appeals court has granted our oral arguments. So, I literally was sobbing," she shared on Instagram. "It is one step closer to getting mom and dad home."
"It's just amazing," Savannah Chrisley exclaimed.
According to information from UnitedStatesCourts.Gov, a website maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary, oral arguments are a stage in the appeals process where both sides of a case present details before a three-judge panel. The appellate judge will issue a decision either before or after the oral argument, although more than 80% of appeals are decided in the written stage.
"We get to go and argue why mom and dad should be home, so God is good. Thanksgiving win!" she concluded.
December 2023: Todd Chrisley speaks out from prison for the first time
For the first time since entering prison, Todd Chrisley spoke out about his living conditions, revealing the presence of rats, squirrels, and instances of attempted extortion.
"It is so disgustingly filthy. The food is literally, I'm not exaggerating... the food is dated, and it's out of date by, at minimum, a year," Chrisley shared during a phone interview on Chris Cuomo's NewsNation show "Cuomo" on December 11. "It's a year past expiration. And they are literally starving these men to death here. These men are getting, I don't know, they are getting a thousand calories a day."
Additionally, Chrisley disclosed that individuals were reaching out to his daughter, Savannah Chrisley, requesting money for his protection.
"There was a photograph taken of me while I was sleeping and sent to my daughter asking for $2,600 dollars a month for my protection," he claimed.