Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were spotted looking somber, days before they were to learn their fate, after cheating banks out of millions of dollars to fund their lavish lifestyle.
The couple, who were both found guilty of federal bank and tax evasion charges in June, can be seen in exclusive photos on Friday as they drive their black Cadillac Escalade from their multi-million dollar mansion in Brentwood, Tennessee, come out.
A dejected-looking Julie, 49, who bought the lavish property for $3.375 million in April 2019, was snapped pulling out of the driveway with her husband Todd, 53, in the passenger seat.
The couple, who rose to fame through their reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, will be sentenced next week, five months after a jury found them guilty of a year-long tax and bank fraud conspiracy that allowed them to inflate themselves by $30 million to borrow their merit.
Todd and Julie Chrisley were snatched from their Brentwood, Tennessee mansion in their black Cadillac Escalade on Friday
Julie, 49, looked dejected as she pulled out of the driveway with Todd, 53, in the passenger seat
Todd faces 17 and 22 years in prison, Julie 10 to 13 years
In June, a jury found the couple guilty of a year-long tax and bank fraud conspiracy that allowed them to borrow $30 million by inflating their earnings
New court documents filed Monday and obtained by WSB-TV contained a memo in which prosecutors recommended a “long sentence” for the couple.
Todd Chrisley, 53, faces between 17 and 22 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley, 49, faces between 10 and 13 years.
The Chrisleys claim they did nothing wrong, calling their sentencing a “shakedown” and claiming they were the victim of a dishonest ex-employee.
Her sentencing is scheduled for November 21.
The sentencing memorandum, filed by prosecutors on Monday, recommends a “long term” for the couple.
“The gravity of the Chrisleys’ crimes cannot be underestimated. After defrauding community banks of tens of millions of dollars, they hid millions of dollars from the IRS while bragging on TV about how much they spend on designer clothes,” prosecutors wrote.
“And when they learned they were being investigated for these crimes, they involved their own family members and friends to obstruct justice.”
The Chrisleys claim they did nothing wrong, calling their sentencing a “shakedown” and claiming they were the victim of a dishonest ex-employee
Prosecutors claimed the couple took out $30 million in fraudulent bank loans to fund their lifestyle even before their show became a hit
Before getting a reality TV show, Todd was a successful real estate entrepreneur in Georgia
The couple’s multi-million dollar home in Brentwood. Her show showcased her seemingly perfect southern lifestyle
Workers were spotted Friday at the home of Todd and Julie Chrisley in Brentwood, Tennessee
It continued, “The seriousness of their actions is further underscored by the fact that none of the defendants have expressed remorse for their crimes, but continue to blame others for their own criminal conduct.”
The couple is best known for their hit series Chrisley Knows Best, which portrays their seemingly perfect Southern lifestyle and is USA Network’s most-watched original series.
They have been married for 26 years and have five children together: Lindsie, 32; Kyle, 30; hunt, 25; Savannah, 24; and Grayson, 16.
Prosecutors claimed the couple took out $30 million in fraudulent bank loans to fund their lifestyle even before their show became a hit.
They then used a film production company they controlled to hide revenue to keep the IRS from collecting unpaid taxes from Todd Chrisley, prosecutors said.
In June, Todd was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud.
Julie was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax fraud, wire fraud.
Reality TV stars Todd, 53, and Julie Chrisley, 49, face up to 22 years in prison for cheating banks out of millions of dollars to fund their lavish lifestyle
The family is best known for their reality show Chrisley Knows Best, which began in 2014 and is currently ongoing. Pictured: (l-r) Faye Chrisley, Lindsie Chrisley Campbell, Grayson Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley
But before he got a reality TV show, Todd was a successful real estate entrepreneur in Georgia.
The show began in 2014 and continues to air on the USA Network despite its persuasion. They also continue to run their lucrative Apple podcast, Chrisley Confessions.
The couple was partially supported by the testimony of Mark Braddock, a 53-year-old married ex-employee, who told a jury that not only did he help the couple with their plan, but that he and Todd also had a gay affair.
During the trial, it was revealed that Todd Chrisley was having a gay affair with his business partner, who helped him commit fraud before tipping off the police after their romance went awry.
Chrisley hooked up with Mark Braddock in the early 2000s before splitting, an Atlanta judge has been told.
Braddock testified that after the affair ended, the couple remained friends and formed a “brotherhood.”
Braddock, who was required to tell his own wife about the affair before testifying, turned the Chrisleys over to the FBI on tax fraud charges and told the jury he did not want to speak about his affair. Braddock was also granted immunity.
After the affair ended while Chrisley’s former flame worked at Chrisley Asset Management, he claims an anonymous source sent text messages threatening to expose his boss’ relationship and cheating.
The alleged lyrics read, “Pay cash and we’ll shut up.”
Todd and Julie (pictured) claim they did nothing wrong, describing their sentencing as a “shakedown” and claiming they were the victim of a dishonest ex-employee
Todd Chrisley and Braddock eventually paid their blackmailer $38,000, which Braddock withdrew from the bank in four payments of $9,500 before meeting Todd Chrisley in a parking garage.
He turned over the large amounts of cash “in a little bag” to Todd Chrisley to pay the extortionist, he testified.
After the Chrisleys were charged by the FBI with tax evasion, Braddock told jurors his feelings for Todd Chrisley convinced him to help them cheat, he testified.
The former employee created fake tax documents for the reality star, filed them with banks and impersonated Todd Chrisley in emails and phone calls, Insider reported.
Mark Braddock, a 53-year-old married ex-employee, told a jury that not only did he help the couple with their plan, but he and Todd also had a gay affair
After the two fell out, Braddock reportedly wanted to get back at his former lover and created fake email accounts to report the Chrisleys’ criminal behavior to the government and news outlets.
In his opening remarks, Chrisley’s attorney, Bruce Morris, accused Braddock of mistaking him for Todd Chrisley and of being “obsessed” with him.
Braddock has denied these claims. He also said the only time he’s dated a man was with Todd Chrisley.
Chrisley had publicly addressed rumors about his sexuality in 2017, telling The Domenick Nati Show that the rumors “didn’t bother him.”
He has not denied claims that he is gay.
Todd and Julie are pictured at the 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 2017
“To disappoint me it would mean that I don’t agree with someone being gay.
“I don’t think you make that choice. I believe that you are as God made you,” he said on the show at the time.
Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was found guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns
“I’m flattered that people think I could get laid on both sides. So that doesn’t bother me.
“And my wife is flattered that there are as many men wanting her husband as there are women.
“With that being said, I will never have a drought. You, on the other hand, maybe. But Todd will never have a drought.’
Todd and Julie’s former attorney, Peter Tarantino, was also convicted. He was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willful filing of false tax returns.
Prosecutors alleged that the Chrisleys submitted forged documents to banks when applying for loans.
They said Julie Chrisley also submitted a false credit report and fake bank statements when she tried to rent a home in California, and then the couple refused to pay the rent a few months after they used the home.
They used a film production company they controlled to hide revenue to keep the IRS from collecting unpaid taxes from Todd Chrisley, prosecutors said.