Julie Chrisley, a star from Chrisley Knows Best, will stay in prison. A federal judge in Atlanta confirmed her seven-year sentence. She appeared in court on September 25, seeking a lighter sentence.
This was after part of her conviction for tax evasion and bank fraud was overturned in June. However, the judge denied her request, so Julie must complete her sentence.
Julie, now at a Kentucky federal medical center, spoke to the court in tears. She apologized for her actions and their impact on her family.
“I’ve had years to think about what I’ve wanted to say, and I’m sorry for my actions and the situations that led us to where we are today,” she said. Her children, Savannah and Chase Chrisley, watched from the gallery.
Savannah Chrisley and Chase Chrisley say they are disappointed in the judge upholding Julie Chrisley’s prison sentence of 84 months. They say they feel the judge personally attacked the family with false allegations in the court @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/K54TGcdX2l
— Eric Perry (@Ericperrytv) September 25, 2024
A Heartfelt Apology from a Mother Behind Bars
Julie Chrisley, 51, has been in prison since January 2023. In court, she expressed remorse for her role in the fraud case and its toll on her family. “I can’t ever repay my children for what they’ve had to go through, and for that, I am so sorry,” she said, her voice cracking.
Julie explained that she spent her time in prison learning new skills, from driving a forklift to serving food. She has tried to stay connected with her family despite the circumstances.
Savannah Chrisley has spoken about her mother’s situation on her Unlocked podcast. Yesterday, she expressed fears about the hearing. “I am so ready to have my mom at home,” Savannah admitted, sharing her anxiety over the resentencing.
“There is so much fear in my life right now pertaining to my mom’s resentencing… I don’t want to jeopardize her freedom because of things that I say.”
Unfortunately for Savannah Chrisley and the Chrisley family, the judge ruled the original sentence was sufficient. So, Julie must spend several more years in prison.
A Legal Battle with Twists and Turns
Julie Chrisley’s seven-year sentence stems from her 2022 conviction alongside her husband, Todd Chrisley, for tax evasion and bank fraud. Todd, 55, is serving a 12-year sentence in Florida.
Both reality stars were found guilty of using fake documents to get loans and evade taxes while living a lavish lifestyle.
In June 2024, a three-judge panel gave Julie hope. It overturned her sentence, ruling there wasn’t enough evidence to hold her responsible for the full fraud scheme.
“The district court did not identify the evidence it relied on to hold Julie accountable for losses incurred before 2007,” the judges stated. This ruling led to a resentencing hearing, where the case was handed back to the lower court.
Despite the June ruling, on September 25, the judge upheld Julie’s sentence. Julie’s legal team hasn’t commented yet.
However, the family’s lawyer was optimistic. He believed they could challenge the convictions. The basis? An “illegal search” that started the investigation.
Family Support Amid Continued Legal Struggles
Despite the legal setbacks, Julie Chrisley’s children remain steadfast in their support. Both Savannah and Chase attended the resentencing. They wanted to support their mother in her legal battle.
Julie, who also shares son Grayson, 18, with Todd, broke down as she apologized to her children for the hardship her conviction has caused. “This has been the most difficult part of my life,” she told the court.
Savannah has been vocal in defending her parents during their legal troubles. She often uses social media and her podcast to express frustrations and updates.
Meanwhile, her brother Chase has been quieter. However, both siblings supported their mother when the judge confirmed the seven-year sentence.
