‘Chrisley Knows Best’ Stars Todd and Julie’s Fraud Trial: Updates, Everything We Know

Indicted

The Chrisley Knows Best stars were indicted on five counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of tax fraud in August 2019. Julie was also charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. Additionally, the mother of three has been accused of creating a fake credit report and false bank statements to rent a home.

Todd Denied the Claims

Todd denied the allegations in a lengthy Instagram post in August 2019. “It all started back in 2012, when we discovered that a trusted employee of ours had been stealing from us big time. I won’t go into details, but it involved all kinds of really bad stuff like creating phony documents, forging our signatures, and threatening other employees with violence if they said anything. We even discovered that he illegally bugged our home,” he wrote at the time. “To get revenge, he took a bunch of his phony documents to the U.S. Attorney’s office and told them we had committed all kinds of financial crimes, like tax evasion and bank fraud. That got their attention all right, but once we had a chance to explain who he was and what he’d done to us, they realized it was all a bunch of nonsense and they sent him on his way.”
The businessman then claimed that the former employee “persuaded a different set of investigators at the U.S. Attorney’s office not only to reopen the case but also to grant him immunity from prosecution for his own crimes and bring charges against us.”
“I’m telling you all this now because we have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be ashamed of,” he concluded. “Not only do we know we’ve done nothing wrong, but we’ve got a ton of hard evidence and a bunch of corroborating witnesses that proves it.”

Trial Begins

Their trial began on May 17, 2022, in Atlanta. During the opening statements, Assistant US Attorney Annalise Peters claimed that Todd and Julie exaggerated their earnings to banks to borrow more than $30 million.

“They made up documents and they lie through their teeth to get whatever they want, whenever they want it,” Peters said in court, according to Insider. The attorney also alleged that the pair hid funds from the IRS.

Accusations

The reality stars’ attorney, Bruce Morris, responded by stating that Todd and Julie’s former employee Mark Braddock committed the crimes behind their backs. Braddock allegedly committed the fraud by impersonating Todd after he was fired in 2012. However, Peters claimed that Todd and Julie’s alleged fraud continued after the former employee was terminated.

Peters argued that it was Todd, Julie and Braddock’s goal to “hide money” and they “targeted” community banks by editing financial documents.

According to Insider, Braddock told the court that he and Todd became friends in the early 2000s and he worked for the USA Network star’s foreclosure-management businesses until 2012. Braddock testified that he created fake Microsoft Word documents to lie about Todd and Julie’s income to make them look wealthier in order to acquire loans. The government gave Braddock an immunity agreement in exchange for his cooperation in the trial.

Todd and Julie’s attorney claimed that Braddock was “obsessed” with the father of five and went to the FBI for “protection and revenge.” He also claimed Braddock stole from the pair.

How Did Todd and Julie Spend Their Money?

During the trial, Braddock claimed that Todd and Julie were “spending more than they were making.” The couple paid for three housekeepers, purchased expensive cars and paid for the Chrisley patriarch to go to California from Atlanta twice a month for hair appointments at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

“He needed $500,000 to $600,000 a month just to stay even,” Braddock stated, adding that the pair were given at least $60 million in loans.

What Was Todd and Braddock’s Relationship Like?

Braddock claimed he and Todd had an “intimate” relationship during their decade-long friendship. “I was complicit in giving him what he needed. We had a personal relationship of an intimate nature. I would do whatever he needed to get done,” Braddock testified, adding they had a “brotherhood” and business relationship following their alleged one-year intimate relationship.

Lindsie Chrisley Speaks Out

Todd’s eldest daughter, Lindsie Chrisley, called her estranged father a “monster” while testifying. She added that her brother, Chase Chrisley, threatened to release her alleged sex tape. However, the “Coffee Convos” podcast host insisted the sex tape doesn’t exist.

Closing Statements

During his closing statement, Morris slammed Braddock for making claims about his alleged affair with Todd as “fantasy.”
“I suggest to you that Mark Braddock is the very picture of reasonable doubt,” the attorney said on June 2.
Deliberations began on June 3.

A Verdict Is Reached

On Tuesday, June 7, Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of all charges by an Atlanta federal jury, In Touch can confirm. The couple face up to 30 years in prison. 

Todd was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud. While the Chrisley matriarch was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax fraud and wire fraud.

Their former accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns.

Plans to Appeal

Todd and Julie’s lawyer revealed their plans to appeal shortly after the guilty verdict was announced. “We are disappointed in the verdict. We plan an appeal,” Morris told Us Weekly.

The couple’s lawyer, Steve Friedberg, shared a similar sentiment. “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. They both remain strong in their faith and will continue the ‘fight’ until they are vindicated,” he told People. “They have their priorities in order and are currently concentrating on the welfare of their children and Todd’s mother, Elizabeth Faye Chrisley.”

Todd and Julie React to Their Verdict

Todd and Julie broke their silence regarding the guilty verdict during the June 16 episode of their podcast, “Chrisley Confessions.”

“It has been a whirlwind,” Todd said. “Lot of moving parts, lot of things going on in our lives and a lot of seeing God’s movements right now.”

“We wanted to let everyone know that it’s a very sad, heartbreaking time for our family right now,” the Chrisley patriarch continued. “But we still hold steadfast in our faith, and we trust that God will do what he does because God’s a miracle worker — and that’s what we’re holding out for.”

Julie added the pair are “alive and kicking,” noting that they’re appreciative for the support they received following the verdict.

“It’s a tough time right now, but we are grateful for each and every one of you that has taken the effort,” Todd said. He then said prayers are the “greatest gift” they can receive. “We’re grateful and appreciative of it.”

Sentencing Hearing

On November 21, Todd and Julie received their sentences in the fraud case. A judge sentenced Todd to 12 years in prison and Julie to seven.

“[November 21, 2022] was a difficult day for the Chrisley family. But Todd and Julie are people of faith, and that faith gives them strength as they appeal their convictions,” the family’s attorney, Alex Little, told In Touch in a statement the following day.  “Their trial was marred by serious and repeated errors, including the government lying to jurors about what taxes the couple paid. Based on these issues, we are optimistic about the road ahead.”

Did Todd and Julie Chrisley Gain Bail?

Todd and Julie’s request for bail was denied on January 11, 2023. The decision meant that they were required to report to prison on January 17.

Did Todd and Julie Chrisley Report to Prison?

They both reported to their separate prisons on January 17. Todd is serving time at Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola, while Julie reported to Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky.

Prior to beginning their sentences, a representative for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) exclusively revealed to In Touch if the couple will be able to communicate behind bars. “An inmate may be permitted to correspond with an inmate confined in any other penal or correctional institution if the other inmate is either a member of the immediate family, or is a party or witness in a legal action in which both inmates are involved,” the rep explained.

An Appeal

More than a year into their prison sentences, Todd and Julie’s attorney, Alex Little, argued on behalf of the couple in federal appeals court on April 19, 2024.

The attorney argued that there was misconduct during the trial, alleging that “the evidence suggested that the prosecutors here worked in concert with the witness.”

“First, the issue that was discussed that came out in the redirect and then the re-cross of Officer Betty Carter was whether the Chrisleys had paid taxes in the post-conspiracy period,” Little said to the court, according to People. “Now, the district court below confirmed that that would have a potential prejudicial effect on the defendants leading the jury to believe that they had not paid their taxes, that they weren’t interested in paying taxes, that they were untruth type of person who could commit fraud charged in the other acts. That effect spills over not just to the tax charges but to all of the fraud charges in this case.”

Annalise Peter — a representative of the United States Attorney’s​ Offices — argued against the appeal, noting “the evidence was overwhelming at trial that the Chrisleys had taken a number of steps to evade the IRS and they conspired to evade the IRS.”

Peter Tarantino’s attorney, Don Samuel, was present in court and argued that his client had not been “complicit in the crime committed” by the reality TV couple. He also added that his client “didn’t have a duty to ensure that all taxes were paid.”

Neither Julie nor Todd was present at the hearing, but their daughter Savannah spoke to reporters after the hearing and reported that her parents were “doing as best as they can,” according to The Associated Press.