Federal Jury Finds Todd and Julie Chrisley Guilty on All Counts
By: Haven Orecchio-Egresitz (Insider)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guiltyon all charges relating to running a yearslong conspiracy to defraud banks and hiding their money from the IRS.
The Atlanta federal jury convicted Todd Chrisley of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud.
Julie Chrisley was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax fraud, wire fraud.
Their former attorney Peter Tarantino was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns.
The Chrisleys' face up to 30 years in prison.
The celebrity couple, who found fame in 2013 when USA Network picked up their reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," were accused by federal prosecutors of manipulating financial records making it appear that they were wealthier than they were to apply for more than $30 million in loans, which they spend on a luxury lifestyle they couldn't afford.
When the banks caught on to them, the Chrisleys filed for bankruptcy, walking away from $20 million in debt. The couple went on to hide money from the IRS, with the help of Tarantino, prosecutors argued.
Jurors began hearing testimony in the case on May 17, with the trial spanning nearly three weeks.
They began deliberating on June 3.
The Chrisley family stars in "Chrisley Knows Best" and a spin-off of the show. Tommy Garcia/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Chrisleys blamed a former business partner
The Chrisleys' main defense was that the man who turned them into the FBI was also a fraudster.
Mark Braddock, who was part owner of Todd Chrisley's real estate foreclosure business, Chrisley Asset Management, admitted that he had created fake documents to send to banks to get loans on behalf of himself and the Chrisleys.
He also admitted to impersonating Todd Chrisley on multiple occasions.
Todd Chrisley's attorney, Bruce Morris, tried to convince jurors that emails from his client's account — in which fraud is apparent — could have been sent by Braddock, who was given immunity by the government.
The emails themselves were produced to the government by Braddock, and Morris argued they could also have been faked.
Braddock testified that he had a year-long affair with Todd Chrisley and committed fraud on his behalf because of lingering feelings he held for him.
Bruce Morris said in court that Chrisley denied the affair and Braddock was "obsessed" with Chrisley.
Attorneys for the Chrisleys and Tarantino didn't immediately return requests for comment.
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Not really a fan of theirs yet holy cow.
All that money they made and trying to hide it?
fame, illicit sex, bank fraud and tax fraud........ there's something so familiar sounding about that....
I know, I was trying to not go there. Haha
According to the one guy, he is saying the gay rumors are true... Just a fraud all around.
Side note, it is weird for me not adding a u in certain words. I am trying to change my ways as I am sick of the squiggly red lines.
... that's why I usually wear sunglasses all the time.
Why is that? Were you originally taught British English? We don't ADD a "u", Americans REMOVE it. I guess Webster realized it was necessary to simplify the English language for Americans.
"accused by federal prosecutors of manipulating financial records making it appear that they were wealthier than they were to apply for more than $30 million in loans"
Basically they did the same thing dishonest Donald did, they just didn't have good enough attorneys or the ability to leverage other properties to pay off the loans based on fraudulent collateral.
Hell, these days one can just ignore subpoenas and not even show up to testify.
Trump has good attorneys?????
The ones fighting his tax evasion seem to be somewhat competent, they've kept him out of jail so far. The ones he hired to file the election fraud cases were all jokes because no competent attorney takes a case they know they are going to lose.
The family that cheats together spends quality jail time together.
Do married couples share a cell? Do they have double beds instead of bunks? If they're incarcerated for a long time, will they also get a crib in their cell? With private jails, there could be VIP cells, maybe with a bath en suite.
They are stuck at home now. Cannot spend over a thousand dollars.
Todd and Julie Chrisley have been remanded to house arrest until their sentencing