Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who gained fame through their show “Chrisley Knows Best,” are currently serving time in prison after being convicted of federal charges related to bank fraud and tax evasion.
Along with their accountant, Peter Tarantino, the Chrisleys’ lawyers are now challenging various aspects of their convictions and sentences in a federal appeals court.
In June 2022, a jury found the Chrisleys guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans, as well as tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Julie Chrisley was also convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Tarantino was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns.
The Chrisleys’ lawyers argue that an IRS officer lied on the stand about the couple owing taxes, and that prosecutors knowingly presented and failed to correct this false testimony. They also claim that the trial judge wrongly allowed certain evidence without requiring prosecutors to show it wasn’t obtained during an unlawful search. Additionally, they argue that prosecutors failed to provide enough evidence to convict the Chrisleys of tax evasion and conspiracy.
Julie Chrisley’s lawyers argue that she should be acquitted on the bank fraud charges, and that her sentence, including $17.2 million in restitution, should be wiped away and she should be resentenced on the remaining counts.
Prosecutors maintain that there was sufficient evidence at trial to support the charges and jury verdicts, and that the evidence was properly obtained and admitted. They also argue that the judge was right to deny an evidentiary hearing or new trial on the Chrisleys’ assertions that the IRS agent lied.
Tarantino’s lawyer argues that his client was harmed by being tried with the Chrisleys, and he is urging the court to reverse Tarantino’s conviction and grant him a new trial.
The appeals court will hear arguments from lawyers representing the Chrisleys, Tarantino, and federal prosecutors on Friday in Atlanta.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.