NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 20: Julie Chrisley (L) and Todd Chrisley attend the grand opening of E3 Chophouse Nashville on November 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images for E3 Chophouse Nashville)
The stars of Chrisley Knows Best were found guilty on Tuesday of committing fraud and tax evasion to prop up the lavish lifestyle depicted in the series. A federal jury determined that Todd and Julie Chrisley defrauded local Georgia banks of as much as $30 million in loans by submitting doctored paperwork to obtain them.
The couple was also found guilty of conspiring to not pay income taxes on their earnings from the USA reality show, which premiered in 2014 and is going to air its 10th season this month.
Along with the several fraud and tax crimes charges they were hit with, their accountant Peter Tarantino was found guilty of submitting two phony corporate tax returns on behalf of the Chrisleys. Julie Chrisley was also convicted on an obstruction of justice charge for submitting a fraudulent document to a grand jury.
The U.S. Attorney for Northern Georgia, Ryan K. Buchanan, who investigated the case along with Georgia branches of the IRS and FBI announced the guilty verdict as part of a Department of Justice press release and said they would “continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute white-collar criminals who flout the law.”
“As today’s outcome shows, when you lie, cheat and steal, justice is blind as to your fame, your fortune, and your position,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
Over many years, the Chrisleys used the money obtained in these loans to purchase luxury cars, designer clothes, lavish vacations and once the money ran out they’d pay it back with another loan. According to the prosecutor’s finding, they didn’t pay any taxes over the years 2013 through 2016 and operated a company just in Julie’s name to avoid back taxes on their income owed to Todd.
It seems like their reign of financial terror will be winding down after being served these convictions. USA has yet to comment on the status of Chrisley Knows Best in the wake of these legal proceedings.
Both Chrisleys and Tarantino will be sentenced for their crimes on October 6.
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