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11-21-2022 11:12 AM
this is a complete update today... I know there is another thread going on, but wanted to give all the details of why they were found guilty....
FILE - Todd Chrisley, left, and his wife, Julie Chrisley, pose for photos at the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Todd and Julie Chrisley were driven by greed as they engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle, federal prosecutors said, arguing the reality television stars should receive lengthy prison sentences. They were found guilty on federal charges in June and are set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in a hearing that begins Monday, Nov. 21. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
ATLANTA (AP) — Todd and Julie Chrisley were driven by greed as they engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle, federal prosecutors said, arguing the reality television stars should receive lengthy prison sentences.
Peter Tarantino, an accountant hired by the couple, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and willfully filing false tax returns. He is set to be sentenced along with the Chrisleys.
Prosecutors have said the couple submitted fake documents to banks and managed to secure more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. Once that scheme fell apart, they walked away from their responsibility to repay the loans when Todd Chrisley declared bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy, they started their reality show and “flaunted their wealth and lifestyle to the American public,” prosecutors wrote. When they began making millions from their show, they hid the money from the IRS to avoid paying taxes.
The Chrisleys submitted a false document to a grand jury that was investigating their crimes and then convinced friends and family members to tell lies while testifying under oath during their trial, prosecutors wrote. Neither of them has shown any remorse and they have, instead, blamed others for their own criminal conduct, prosecutors wrote.
“The Chrisleys are unique given the varied and wide-ranging scope of their fraudulent conduct and the extent to which they engaged in fraud and obstructive behavior for a prolonged period of time,” prosecutors wrote.
Todd Chrisley's lawyers wrote in a court filing that the government never produced any evidence that he meant to defraud any of the banks and that the loss amount calculated by the government is incorrect. They also noted that the offenses of which he was convicted were committed a long time ago. He has no serious criminal history and has medical conditions that “would make imprisonment disproportionately harsh,” they wrote.
His lawyers submitted letters from friends and business associates that show “a history of good deeds and striving to help others.” People who rely on Chrisley — including his mother and the “scores of people” employed by his television shows — will be harmed while he's in prison, his lawyers wrote.
The Chrisleys gained fame with their show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which follows their tight-knit, boisterous family. They were found guilty on federal charges in June and are set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in a hearing that begins Monday and is likely to extend into Tuesday.
Using a process to calculate a sentencing guideline range based on several factors, federal prosecutors determined the upper end of that range is nearly 22 years for Todd Chrisley and about 12 and a half years for Julie Chrisley. The couple should also be ordered to pay restitution, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
“The Chrisleys have built an empire based on the lie that their wealth came from dedication and hard work,” prosecutors wrote. “The jury's unanimous verdict sets the record straight: Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by jumping from one fraud scheme to another, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every corner.”
The Chrisleys disagree with the government's guideline calculations. Todd Chrisley's lawyers wrote in a filing that he should not face more than nine years in prison and that the judge should sentence him below the lower end of the guidelines. Julie Chrisley's lawyers wrote that a reasonable sentence for her would be probation with special conditions and no prison time.
The Chrisleys were convicted in June on charges of bank fraud, tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Julie Chrisley was also convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
They urged the judge to give him a prison sentence below the guideline range followed by supervised release and restitution.
Julie Chrisley's lawyers wrote in a filing that she had a minimal role in the conspiracy and was not involved when the loans discussed in sentencing documents were obtained. She has no prior convictions, is an asset to her community and has “extraordinary family obligations,” her lawyers wrote, as they asked for a sentence of probation, restitution and community service.
The Chrisleys have three children together, including one who is 16, and also have full custody of the 10-year-old daughter of Todd Chrisley's son from a prior marriage. Julie Chrisley is the primary caregiver to her ailing mother-in-law, the filing says. Her lawyers submitted letters from family and friends that show she is “hard-working, unfailingly selfless, devoted to her family and friend, highly respected by all who know her, and strong of character.”
If the judge does sentence both Chrisleys to prison, Julie Chrisley's lawyers asked that their prison terms be staggered so she can remain on supervised release until her husband is done serving his sentence or until their granddaughter turns 18.
11-21-2022 11:49 AM
Another reality couple guilty of fraud.
Jen Shah from RHW of Salt Lake awaiting sentencing in Dec
" She pled guilty to count one, conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. The US attorney dropped count two, conspiracy to commit money laundering, per Page Six. Jen apologized for her actions. "
" When asked what she did, Shah responded: “Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value. We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55. I am so sorry,”
according to Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press. "
11-21-2022 12:07 PM
Maybe they will get one of those "Life Behind Bars" TV shows....???
11-21-2022 12:07 PM
@skatting44 wrote:Another reality couple guilty of fraud.
Jen Shah from RHW of Salt Lake awaiting sentencing in Dec
" She pled guilty to count one, conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. The US attorney dropped count two, conspiracy to commit money laundering, per Page Six. Jen apologized for her actions. "
" When asked what she did, Shah responded: “Wire fraud, offering services with little to no value. We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55. I am so sorry,”
according to Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press. "
@skatting44 So many reality "Stars" are just crooks... people that are dishonest and liars. Interesting...
11-21-2022 12:07 PM
Do the crime; do the time. No sympathy for these people.
They shouldn't receive special treatment, either. They weren't worried about the treatment of others with their fraudulent behaviors.
11-21-2022 12:31 PM
Agree with you . they should get sentences as non celebrities do .
Jen Shah and her business partner frauded and bilked many senior citizens , all the while she galavanted around the RHW show dressed in expensive outlandish outfits .
11-21-2022 12:41 PM
Never heard of them.....
11-21-2022 01:54 PM
I never liked that guy, just a gut feeling. Knew who he was, but never watched his show. I say to give them the maximum sentances. They knew what they were doing. Fraud is fraud. Tax evasion is tax evasion. People that commit those crimes make if more expensive and harder on the rest of us who play by the rules.
11-21-2022 02:40 PM - edited 11-21-2022 02:40 PM
What is with the tv networks casting people who apparently have FBI investigations and bankruptcy filings before their shows? And how stupid are they to go on a reality show and garner more attention?
I am not familiar with the Chrisley's but I have watched RHSLC and Jen Shah is a piece of work. Interesting to see how big a book gets thrown her way. Her mother put up her home while she was still pleading innocence. Wonder if that gets taken for resititution and fines. I can't even imagine a daughter allowing her retired mother to do it in the first place, innocent or apparently not.
11-21-2022 03:25 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this. The first year it was on, was fun. After that, didn't really watch it anymore.
You know, they all (reality) shows, have to put on an entertainment show. Bet thery're egged on!!! Otherwise, why do so many end up in trouble.
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