Todd & Julie Chrisley Speak Out About Their Prison Sentences

Julie and Todd Chrisley on 'Chrisley Knows Best'
USA Network / courtesy Everett Collection

Disgraced reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley have been opening up for the first time since being sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison for fraud and tax evasion.

The couple spoke on their Chrisley Confessions podcast about their impending prison sentence and how they’re living every day like it’s their last. Reading a quote from author Priscilla Shirer, Julie said, “Age is just a number, and since we don’t know our death date,.” (via ETOnline)

Agreeing with his wife’s sentiment, Todd added, “Yesterday doesn’t matter. Today is what we have. Tomorrow belongs to God because we’re not promised tomorrow.”

Julie went on to say that she is handling this stressful time by remembering that her children are watching. “The difficulties I’m going through, how I handle it… they’re watching that as well. If I handle it right, they’re watching; if I screw it up, they’re watching,” she explained.

“And so, for me as a parent, I want to try to make sure that I do it right more than I do it wrong because I know they’re watching,” she continued. “And I know it will prepare them for difficulties, unfortunately, that they will have later in life.”

In November, the Chrisley Knows Best stars were found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud, including falsifying documents to obtain $30 million in bank loans and concealing millions of dollars from the IRS they had made from their USA Network reality show. Todd was given a 12-year sentence, while Julie was sentenced to seven years.

The pair are trying to keep a brave face as they take on the challenges ahead. “You have to live above your circumstances; you have to know that your circumstances are not forever, that they will eventually change and you’re going to come out the other side, and that you’re going to be given the strength you need to get through it,” Julie shared. “But that’s sometimes hard to accept, I think, when you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“There are dark days; we all have dark days,” Todd added, “and we can choose to sit and wallow in it, or we can get up.”




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  1. G

    GoldCar

    I think by the grace and mercy of God we all go through things in life that we've done. But don't Judge because that's God's job. I love the Chrisley Family and by TV they are a part if my life. What ever happens l will always support them. Blessings 🙌

    35 3

    1. O

      OrangeCoathanger

      Sorry. But you may actually need a life if you think these people are part of your

  2. O

    OliveSnow

    Yes they made bad choices, didn’t pay taxes and scammed. But you know how many celebrities and politicians live their lives like this on a daily basis and never get looked at, let alone go to prison. Don’t judge them. You never truly know why they felt like they needed to portray themselves as rich and famous when they were not. Something is missing inside them. Very sad.

    23 2

    1. G

      GreenPlane

      Look at Al Sharpton….. guess they are bending over backwards enforcing the law…..

    2. G

      GoldBottleOpener

      Al Sharpton comes to mind on this. How many millions does he owe the IRS? Haven’t seen him in court.

  3. B

    BlueHelmet

    It is true that if that would’ve been a regular citizen the punishment would've been the same yes and they would’ve been in jail already but either way I think that the punishment for their crime it’s way too harsh. These type of crimes should get you house arrest or something like that. Worse crimes are being committed and given much less sentence time or none at all.

    22 1

    1. L

      Lisa

      that house arrest just gives them time to TAKE more money and do stupid shows, what if it was your money???

  4. P

    PurpleMustache

    Sentences extremely harsh. House arrest or such would be better. Good people that made a mistake. Good luck and God Bless you both

    22 4

    1. P

      PurplePopsicle

      A mistake is something that you do unintentionally, fraud is intentional….

      1 1

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    BlueChefHat

    Although they did wrong 12 and 7 yrs is a bit harsh I think there not going to do any good in jail yeah it’s the punishment they were handed down and they deserve to be punished but make them pay or do community service there is kids involved or at least leave Julie with the kids but I am heartbroken for them all but you do the crime and now it’s time to pay the crime!!!

    18

    1. G

      GreenBone

      Bill Cosby had a family too!!

      2 1

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        Lisa

        And so did O.J. , they belong in prison and make them pay back the 30 million or take EVERYTHING they have.

        1

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        BlueHelmet

        Completely Different charges.

        2

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        GreenBone

        And they’re still running his shows on TV & he’s making money off those reruns, SICKENS ME THAT IT ISN’T OFF THE AIR!!

        1

    2. B

      BlueHelmet

      I completely agree… 12/7 yrs is way too harsh for these charges. Community hours and/or home jail time would have been right.

      17 1

  6. O

    OrangeScissors

    I don’t judge anyone that is gods job. My family and I are standing by the chrisley‘s no matter what.. our god will watch over them and protect them through this difficult time WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

    18 1

  7. O

    OrangePopcorn

    You say that you want to be careful how you handle your prison sentence because your children are watching. If you were that concerned with your children watching, then you would not have broken the law to start with.

    28 15

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      PurpleBottleOpener

      Absolutely! Now they want to be role models?!

      2 2

    2. O

      OrangeCoathanger

      100% and God was watching too when they misled their children. So t surprise me that they hid money under their kids names too and put them in jeopardy as well

  8. C

    CyanCandy

    They are only showing concern because they have been caught red handed.. should have thought about how your “BEHAVIORS “ effect your children prior to stealing $$. You CANT depend on your faith all of a sudden when you should have been honest and not deceitful all along.. hypocritical….

    11 1

  9. C

    CyanScissors

    What gets me is how much they well more Todd is always on his kids to do things right, to act very proper especially out in public. He is constantly molding them and he makes them do the time for their (crimes) not acting right or breaking any rules. All the while he was busy breaking all the rule, I’d be kinda mad at them if u was his kids. Guess they were living almost double lives,The public and very private lives, it’s sad they were not the same. I do wish they would of let Julie serve her time on house arrest so she could be the mother still to the 2 younger kids. This could really do harm especially on the granddaughter 🥲

    13 3

  10. G

    GreenBowtie

    I think they have been judged way to harshly. Politicians get by with worse! Who are we to judge? We are not to judge, that’s left up to God. I love the Chrisley family! They had such a good, funny, moral show. It’s such a shame this has happened. But not one of us is perfect. We all make mistakes!

    6

  11. G

    GoldPizza

    I think they are being made examples of, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, LETS ALL OPEN UP THOSE CLOSETS AND SEE WHAT COMES OUT !!! Let them pay back the money, and do the rest of there lives helping other people, because that is what they have always done…Have a little compassion, they may have done something wrong, I don’t know, but they certainly don’t deserve to go to jail for 12 years and 7 years…Let’s start changing they way we do things in this country…Let’s give the Chrisleys a chance to make things right, let them prove to us that they are good people, I believe they have learned a huge lesson already…let them stay with there family, take all there money, their house, but DONT TAKE AWAY THERE LIVES …. I beg the judge to please, please reconsider the sentences they have handed down….I once asked Todd Chrisley for something, times were hard and I needed help, not a hesitation, it was sent to me…they are good people, let them prove it, please don’t punish them like this….

    5

    1. O

      OrangeCoathanger

      When you defraud the banking systems we all pay the price. Let’s. It forget that

  12. R

    RedApple

    Look at what all these politicians are doing but yet we are voting for them. Go figure! I think they went down a little hard on them. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

    6 1

  13. G

    GreenTurtle

    I think the sentencing is to steep or harsh. Others kill people and do not get as much time. Big politicians in high places do bigger crimes similar and get less and very little sentences.

    “FAIR JUSTiCE 4 Todd and Julie”

    5 1

  14. L

    Lisa

    I don't understand anyone feeling sorry for them. They broke the law. And yet they are still doing podcasts today. WHEN WILL THEY GO TO PRISON!! If that had been me , I would already be there. !! Fame of sorts does not mean free ride !!

    6 2

    1. P

      PurpleBottleOpener

      They didn’t make a “mistake”, they willingly manipulated and defrauded. There was intent. They deserve to be punished like anyone who commits a crime.

      11 4

      1. L

        Lisa

        I agree 1000 percent

        1. P

          PurplePopsicle

          I don’t think the time that they got was harsh, just because you’re on a reality show shouldn’t matter, and the daughter (savanna) is in some kind of denial because she’s now a advocate for people who have been wrongly accused by the judicial system. I’m thinking like WHAT, does she not know what they have actually done.

          1

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            GoldTeepee

            Yes i agree the least they can do is come clean w/ their kids- so their kids are not struggling w/ they are innocent & going to jail for nothing, which imo is much harder to deal w/ then her parents telling Savanna what they did do & are guilty of & this is the price of being dishonest.. Not saying she shldnt support her parents no matter what, but she is tortured thinking that they are going to jail innocent..

      2. P

        PurpleFlame

        Yep! Criminal defense attorney for 26 years and I totally agree. The tax payers ultimately will absorb the loans they fail to pay back. Lying on your taxes is one thing. Fraudulently taking out millions of dollars of loans is another. It’s theft if you ask me

    2. R

      RedQuill

      You are a cold person. Obviously you do not understand the FEDERAL legal system. I think the sentences are harsh.

  15. G

    GoldPuzzle

    I would like to offer hope,love they are still an amazing family, actually they had the best show on TV yeah I still love them

    3

  16. C

    CyanPin

    Did you ever think about the consequences and your children while scaming the banks? They say children are resilient and your sentences are tough but it didn't have to happen. I pray for all of you.

    4 1

  17. O

    OlivePaw

    Oh, BooHoo! Deal with it. You should have just accepted what God blessed you with. Which is a lot more than most people have! Enjoy prison! You deserve it!

    3 1

    1. R

      RedQuill

      Christian?

  18. C

    CyanScissors

    They got what they had coming. Fake ass thief’s.

    1

  19. C

    CyanWeights

    I firmly believe they knew exactly what they were doing and deserve to be punished for their greed, too bad the children are the ones to suffer. They are lucky they didn’t get the full sentence. House arrest would not be a punishment for the crime.

    2 1

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    GreenBone

    Why does this not surprise me? They all always did what they wanted with no real thoughts about right or wrong- so why wouldn’t they have also spent their money with little to no regard! I don’t feel sorry for them & hope they have to serve their full sentences… really low when you also bilk your elderly mom/mother-in-law out of her life savings!!

    1

  21. G

    GreenBee

    Trump has done worse and still free so guys just keep the faith God got y’all 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💗😘

    2 1

    1. G

      GreenBone

      He SHOULD BE IN JAIL- He caused the death of people & he should be barred from ever running again. He’s a conman & liar- who thinks he wouldn’t have a worse response should he run/win in 2024!! In his trumpy brain he thinks he’s the king of the USA!

  22. O

    OrangeCandy

    He will be very popular in prison. 2 hour showered with a line-up down the corridor.

    3 2

    1. C

      CyanCandy

      Bwahahaha!!! They’ve been playing stupid games for years and now they’re gonna get stupid prizes. Don’t feel bad for either of them. Besides Todd likes to play drop the soap. Him and bubba will be real happy married in a jail cell.

  23. O

    OliveFan

    If they did some of this then make them pay the fines and give them house arrest for awhile. These sentences were WAY ENTIRELY to harsh! I mean and to beat it all what is the government going to do with the money anyways!. Most likely something else stupid like sending it to send it to another country to help them instead of even leaving it in this country to help support our troops so they don’t have such a hard time when they come home screwed up for the war the government taught them and yet when they come home can’t even get a decent job. Or something decent and worthwhile to help our citizens. They should’ve been given house arrest or probation or something no where near what the sentences they were given. MURDERER’S in this country get less time. This is ridiculous! 19 years behind bars and 32 months of probation is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS! This country needs to get their priorities straightsend it to another country to help them instead of even leaving it in this country to help support our troops so they don’t have such a hard time when they come home screwed up for the war the government taught them and yet when they come home can’t even get a decent job. Or something decent and worthwhile to help our citizens. They should’ve been given house arrest or probation or something no where near what the sentences they were given. MURDERER’S in this country get less time. This is ridiculous! 19 years behind bars and 32 months of probation is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS! This count

  24. O

    OrangeCoathanger

    That’s all our tax dollars they took Let’s not forget that

  25. B

    BlueHelmet

    They caught themselves doing wrong and we all have experience with penalties so move on God has plan for all ,

  26. O

    OliveFlower

    I agree.. terrible example to the kids to say tax evasion and fraud is ok in order to obtain lavish lifestyle.. they’re egomaniacs

  27. G

    GreenBowtie

    I guarantee the only reason they’re going to jail is because of something they can’t control, y’all don’t believe that a “higher power” source can do whatever they want to ruin people’s lives just because they won’t do what the network or whoever owns the network wants them to do .

  28. O

    OliveCone

    If u feel the crime is to harsh then look at life they took 30 million in fraud with banks and other things where they are serving there time is a joke it is more like a vacation from the real world I like the show and family but what they did is way to much they new what they were doing and did it anyways to live a life style they couldn’t afford. U may not agree but it is the facts.

  29. B

    BlueRadio

    My problem is they sentenced them all this prison time , but violent criminals and repeat felons , get in and out like it’s a hotel , I’m sorry I have a abusive husband with restraint orders for 18 yrs for myself and my kids whom he also abuse I found out later, he has so many serious offenses, he has escaped, stole the police car, lead them on a high speed chase and fought 18 officers , he did not serve that long for any of his many felons ,

  30. P

    PurplePizza

    They were very foolish and in a big sense DUMB!!!

  31. G

    GoldChilli

    I like the christy family. I don’t think they should have got the time they got. They should have got community service. An house arrest. Prayers for you guys. An your family

  32. C

    CyanRaindrop

    God bless them 🙏💪❤️ I think they should of got the bracelet on both of them

  33. O

    OliveChefHat

    I totally agree with many of you! I love the Chrisley family. I can name several Illinois governors & politicians that have done way more than them & haven’t been punished or their jail time was so little. Look at all the politicians who avoid paying taxes, pay to play bribes, & become millionaires while in office on the backs of their constituents! It’s ridiculous!

    My thoughts & prayers are with the Chrisley’s.

  34. O

    OrangeRaindrop

    Hahaha I love it because they’re materialistic and snotty people who believe they are above everyone but their smoking mirrors. They’re frauds and if it was us they would not care about any one of us. Todd is the worst example of a father and husband he should’ve tried to spare his wife and I am surprised he didn’t have her charged with everything. Have fun in prison wait until you have to shit in front of strangers and get used to nasty food and no one is going to cater to you. Lmfao!! Wish I could be a fly on the wall.

  35. G

    GreenPlane

    I think that people are ticked off at you both, but that’s because you took their entertainment away from them….. reality TV, is creating some strange ideas of fame.

  36. P

    PurplePuzzle

    I think their punishment ir over the top too harsh! How bout old Wilkie Nelson? Did he go to prison for avoiding taxes? Heck no! I think taxes are stupid anyway!

    1. G

      GoldScooter

      Its Willie Nelson that was 30 40 years ago alot has changed bc I remember this it was alot of money but he paid it all back alot of us thought the irs screwed him over just like they did the Chrisley ?

  37. G

    GreenCoffee

    I too love the pair of blessed people! So they had law trouble, is it my business?No!! They will serve their time and come out with learned knowledge. I pray for both of them and their children!! All of them !! This is a very stressful time for Them not us. God loves you and so do your devoted fans!!

  38. C

    CyanCandy

    TODD AND JUILIE shouldn’t be worried bout there behaviors after the fact of getting caught stealing and frauding people out of $$ they STOLE.. they knew all along it was wrong .. and NOW they are worried bout there behaviors of what there children think.. tgen you want to rely on your FAITH to see you thru all this.. so hypercritical .. you cant cuss on your show .. steal $$ act like the devil.. then all of a sudden rely on your faith to get you thru this… GOD NEVER LEFT YOU ..🤦‍♀️you dont fly so high that you dont bump your hiney (butt) when you fall.. you reap what you sow.. should have been worried bout your image while you were doing deceitful wrong things.. Ive no sympathies..

  39. R

    RedGoggles

    PARDON!!

    1. G

      GoldBug

      Hey you , go to jail with them

    2. G

      GoldScooter

      I wish they could get pardon but it was a federal trial and going to federal prison. I think both prisons are in Florida