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Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are ‘devastated and disappointed’ after being found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion.
The pair were found guilty Tuesday of running a years-long conspiracy to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million of fraudulent loans.
Prosecutors said they then used the funds to repay previous loans and fund a lavish lifestyle that featured luxury cars, real estate, expensive clothing and travel.
The jury also saw Todd’s ex-business partner confess to helping the couple with their crimes, while also claiming he had a gay affair with the father-of-five.
The Chrisley’s attorney said they plan to appeal the verdict and will ‘continue to fight until they are vindicated.’
Todd and Julie face up to 30 years in prison and will be sentenced in October.
Despite their guilty convictions, USA Network still plans to keep airing Chrisley Knows Best, with the second half season nine set to debut on June 23. It was renewed for a tenth season last month, however industry experts remain skeptical that production will move forward.
Guilty: Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are ‘devastated and disappointed’ after being found guilty Tuesday of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30M of fraudulent loans (pictured in 2019)
A federal jury in Atlanta convicted Todd, 53, of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud on Tuesday.
Julie, 49, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax fraud, wire fraud.
‘Both Chrisleys are devastated and disappointed with the verdict and will be pursuing an appeal,’ the couple’s lawyer Steve Friedberg told People on Thursday.
‘Julie and Todd are so grateful for the love and support shown by their family, friends and fans. They both remain strong in their faith and will continue the “fight” until they are vindicated.
‘They have their priorities in order and are currently concentrating on the welfare of their children and Todd’s mother, Elizabeth Faye Chrisley.’
In addition, the Chrisley’s accountant Peter Tarantino was convicted of conspiring to defraud the IRS and filing two false corporate tax returns on behalf of their film production company.
Like the Chrisleys, he too could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. They will face a judge for sentencing on October 6 at 9.30am.
Their lawyer Steve Friedberg told People on Thursday: ‘Both Chrisleys are devastated and disappointed with the verdict and will be pursuing an appeal. Julie and Todd are so grateful for the love and support shown by their family, friends and fans’
Friedberg added: ‘They both remain strong in their faith and will continue the “fight” until they are vindicated. They have their priorities in order and are currently concentrating on the welfare of their children and Todd’s mother, Elizabeth Faye Chrisley (L)’
Legal woes: A federal jury in Atlanta convicted 53-year-old Todd and 49-year-old Julie of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS, and she was convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice
Aiding and abetting: In addition, the Chrisley’s accountant Peter Tarantino was convicted of conspiring to defraud the IRS and filing two false corporate tax returns on behalf of their film production company
Todd and Julie, who are currently on house arrest, have been married 26 years and share five children: Lindsie, 32; Kyle, 30; Chase, 25; Savannah, 24; and Grayson, 16.
Their show, Chrisley Knows Best, which depicts their seemingly picture-perfect southern lifestyle, is USA Network’s most watched original series.
NBCUniversal, the cable station’s parent company, renewed the show for a tenth season on May 10, a week before their trial began.
However, reality TV industry experts told TMZ the fate of the show remains up in the air because they looming sentencing date doesn’t give Todd, born Michael, and Julie much time for filming.
Sources familiar with the show’s production have described the situation as ‘very fluid,’ noting the network is ‘awaiting the sentencing.’
Additionally, E! Network recently greenlit a new speed-dating match-making series Love Limo hosted and executive produced by the so-called ‘patriarch of perfection.’
Peacock also renewed spin-off Growing Up Chrisley – starring the Chrisley’s children Savannah and Chase – for a fourth season to premiere in July.
Fighting for their lives: Tarantino and the married couple of 26 years – who are now on house arrest – face up to 30 years in prison when they get sentenced on October 6 at 9:30am
Jeopardized: That doesn’t give Todd (born Michael) and Julie much time to shoot the 10th season of their boisterous reality show, which the USA Network had renewed on May 10
Still on? Plus, the E! Network greenlit a new speed-dating match-making series Love Limo hosted and executive produced by the so-called ‘patriarch of perfection’ (2006 stock shot)
‘Life is a party’ Peacock also renewed spin-off Growing Up Chrisley – starring the Chrisley’s children Savannah and Chase (pictured May 11) – for a fourth season to premiere in July
Last Saturday, Todd – who boasts 4.9M social media followers – posted the quote, ‘God doesn’t give us what we can handle. God helps us handle what we are given’ with the caption: ‘Always remember, God is always in control.’
During the three-week trial, it was revealed that the Southern grandfather-of-two’s alleged ex-lover and business partner Mark Braddock – who was granted immunity – was the one who tipped off authorities.
Last Saturday, Todd – who boasts 4.9M social media followers – posted the quote, ‘God doesn’t give us what we can handle. God helps us handle what we are given’ with the caption: ‘Always remember, God is always in control’
‘Please pray for us’: On Wednesday, the Chrisley’s 32-year-old estranged daughter Lindsie Instastoried that she and her family were ‘deeply saddened’ over the verdict and she’s taking a hiatus from her podcasts until ‘the time is right’
2020 family portrait: The Southern grandparents-of-two are also parents of son Kyle, 30; daughter Savannah, 24; son Chase, 26; and son Grayson, 16 (also pictured with Todd’s mother Faye and granddaughter Chloe)
On Wednesday, the Chrisley’s 32-year-old estranged daughter Lindsie Instastoried that she and her family were ‘deeply saddened’ over the verdict and she’s taking a hiatus from her podcasts until ‘the time is right.’
Todd and the breast cancer survivor are also parents of son Kyle, 30; daughter Savannah, 24; son Chase, 26; and son Grayson, 16.
The ninth season of Chrisley Knows Best premieres June 23 on the USA Network.
Excited? The ninth season of Chrisley Knows Best premieres June 23 on the USA Network
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