Chrisley Family’s TV Return Amid Prison Scandal

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The Chrisleys are making their return to reality TV.

According to People, the well-known Chrisley family is slated to appear in a brand-new Lifetime documentary series, as of now referred to as “The Untitled Chrisleys Project“.

The series will trace the lives of former stars from “Chrisley Knows Best,” including Savannah Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, Grayson Chrisley, Chloe Chrisley, along with their grandmother Nanny Faye, as they cope with the legal issues faced by their parents Todd and Julie Chrisley, who are currently serving time for tax evasion and bank fraud.

As per the show’s synopsis, “The Chrisleys are no longer the ones who know it all, but they’re making an effort to support one another. The family must navigate the hurdles of upholding the Chrisley name and heritage, as they deal with their parents being in prison, managing mainly through phone conversations and occasional visits.

And Savannah, 27, and Chase, 28, certainly have a lot on their plates.

While Savannah takes care of her younger siblings Chloe and Grayson, she’s been relentlessly working towards securing a Presidential pardon to release her parents. This is the update from the latest announcement on May 21st. On the other hand, Chase is dealing with personal challenges as he establishes his new venture, all while managing his relationship with girlfriend Jodi.

Following Todd’s and Julie’s imprisonment, which started in 2023 with sentences lasting ten and seven years (their expected release dates are 2032 for Todd and 2028 for Julie), the family has found themselves adapting to a changed lifestyle.

This show offers an intimate, raw glimpse into a family’s life at a pivotal moment. Their experiences will either fortify their bonds or risk irreparable damage. The series follows the genuine Chrisley family as they tackle this fresh chapter in their lives.

The recently approved TV show signifies the Chrisleys’ comeback to television, as they haven’t been on it since “Chrisley Knows Best” concluded in 2023 after a run of ten successful seasons.

Regarding the situation of Savannah, Chase, and their group following the legal difficulties of their parents, Savannah has lately opened up about the distress caused by the incarcerations of Todd and Julie.

During their return home, I’ve previously informed them that over the past two and a half years, if they arrive thinking they can save people as if nothing significant occurred, then I won’t be part of it. This was expressed by Savannah on her Unlocked podcast on May 13 while conversing with Julie’s grandmother, Nanny Pam. “I’ve made that clear,” she said, and Mama has assured, “That won’t happen.

She added, “If we’re all planning to reunite, it requires a rigorous, week-long therapy session for everyone. That’s the only effective approach to resolve our issues.

Keep reading for a closer look at Todd and Julie’s legal woes.

The recently approved TV show signifies the Chrisleys’ first comeback to television since their show, “Chrisley Knows Best,” on USA ended in 2023 after a span of ten seasons.

Regarding the impact on Savannah, Chase, and their companions after their parents faced legal issues, Savannah herself has lately spoken openly about the emotional strain caused by Todd and Julie’s incarcerations.

During a conversation on her podcast “Unlocked” on May 13, Savannah made it clear that she had previously informed them about her experiences over the past two and a half years. She expressed that if they return home under the assumption they can save people without acknowledging the past events, then she will no longer be part of their plans. Nanny Pam, Julie’s mother, has also assured Savannah that this is not going to happen.

As a lifestyle expert, let me share my thoughts: “To truly reunite effectively, I strongly advocate for a focused, week-long therapeutic retreat where everyone participates. This is essential if we’re to address and resolve all outstanding issues in depth.

Keep reading for a closer look at Todd and Julie’s legal woes.

In August 2019, Todd Chrisley and his wife Julie were accused by a federal grand jury in Atlanta on charges such as wire fraud, conspiring to commit bank fraud, and defrauding the U.S. government. As per reports from NBC News, the alleged fraud activities began in the mid-2000s and encompassed evading approximately $2 million in state taxes between 2008 and 2016, as well as concealing over $1 million from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

A day prior to the issuance of the indictment, Todd asserted that he and his spouse were not guilty, and instead suggested that a loyal employee was embezzling from and extorting them.

In his Instagram post, he declared, “We have no secrets and are not embarrassed about our actions. Not only are we confident we haven’t done anything wrong, but we have substantial proof in the form of evidence and numerous supporting witnesses to back us up.

Three years passed before the cast members from Chrisley Knows Best found themselves standing trial. Over a span of three weeks, numerous testimonies were heard, with the defendants, who maintained their innocence, ultimately being convicted on all charges related to tax evasion and bank fraud on June 7, 2022.

As a lifestyle advisor, I find myself sharing insights on a recent case where I, along with my associate and our accountant Peter Tarantino, have been implicated in an alleged scheme. According to the U.S. attorney’s office, we are said to have collaborated on a decade-long plan to deceive banks out of over $30 million. Peter Tarantino, who was tried alongside us, is part of this accusation as well.

It’s clear from today’s results that fame, fortune, or status won’t shield you from the consequences when you choose to deceive, swindle, and pilfer. As an ardent fan of justice, I can’t help but say, the blindfold of Lady Justice doesn’t waver, no matter who you are. And as Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated in June 2022, the guilty verdict on all counts for these three defendants serves as a stark reminder that financial crimes ultimately don’t pay off.

Approximately five months after the event, the Northern District of Georgia handed down a sentence for Todd – 12 years in prison, while Julie received a sentence of seven years. In comparison, Peter was given a sentence of three years in prison.

For approximately ten years, I, as part of the defendants’ group, have been involved in a deceitful act that swindled banks out of tens of millions of dollars. Simultaneously, we neglected to fulfill our federal income tax obligations. This revelation was made by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan in a statement issued in November 2022. The lengthy sentences they received underscore the magnitude of our criminal scheme and should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone considering manipulating our nation’s community banking system for illicit personal profit.

In September 2023, the length of Julie and Todd’s sentences was reduced. Specifically, Julie is now expected to be discharged a year and a half sooner, in August 2024, while Todd will be freed two years ahead of his initially planned 2035 release date.

It’s undeniable that Todd and Julie are exemplary inmates who were given lengthy prison terms, according to their attorney, Jay Surgent, in September 2023. He stated that Todd’s sentence has been reduced to ten years, while Julie is now serving a five-year term.

In January 2023, the pair began serving their individual prison terms. Todd was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie served her sentence at a separate federal correctional facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

Approximately half a year following the incarceration of Julie and Todd, Savannah Chrisley publicly discussed their well-being. She disclosed that during their imprisonment, there was no communication between them.

195 days passed without exchanging words, as expressed in her August 2023 Instagram post. My heart aches deeply… I implore you all for fairness and justice!

She also pushed back at rumors about their time in prison.

She found it amusing because one of them commented, “He’s let himself go,” as she shared on her Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley podcast. Interestingly, it should be noted that hair dye is not available in prison commissaries. Hence, his gray hair is unavoidable! However, if I were to meet him now, I would tell him to keep the gray look. Indeed, it suits him well and he has a fantastic prison barber.

Meanwhile, Todd voiced his concerns regarding the mistreatment he experienced at the federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, while being confined.

He mentioned during a call on the December 2023 edition of Cuomo that the food was not fresh. Specifically, it had surpassed its expiration date by a year.

He went on to say, “There are rats and squirrels infesting the storage area where the supplies are kept. They hid themselves under plastic sheets and then ripped open the ceiling due to mold damage. As a result, they discovered a deceased cat up in the ceiling, which eventually fell onto the food.

Besides the disturbing events in the cafeteria, he claimed that someone additionally sought to blackmail his relatives.

He mentioned that a photo was secretly taken of him as he slept and subsequently sent to his daughter. He then requested a monthly payment of $2,600 for his protection.

In my role as a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to share a personal experience that resonates deeply with me. As the guardian of my younger siblings Grayson and Chloe, I’ve found myself navigating life amidst the sentences handed down to their parents. The absence of regular contact between them has undeniably left an impact on all of us. It’s been a challenging journey, but it’s also taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and the importance of maintaining strong family bonds.

In a conversation with TopMob News in March 2024, she disclosed that the last time they had contact was the day they were taken to federal prison. She claimed there has been significant backlash directed towards her father due to our vocal criticisms concerning the prison conditions.

Indeed, she claimed that the prison authorities were obstructing a significant amount of his email communication with her mother.

Without intending to make it all about her, she confessed that there were moments when it became overpowering for her.

Savannah expressed on her podcast “Unlocked” in April 2024 that she struggles with the sensation that those close to her, such as her parents, feel left behind by life. Similarly, she sometimes experiences this feeling with people in her own life because it seems like they carry on living without a thought for what has happened or is happening to her.

She went on, “I’m finding it hard to catch my breath, you see. It’s not just about our financial situation with the children or my role as a parent, but also my personal relationships.

In June 2024, I was overjoyed to learn that my seven-year prison sentence had been overturned by a three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. While they upheld my convictions, this esteemed court determined that the judge during my 2022 trial made an error in calculating my sentencing as a reality star.

In their decision, the judges explained that the district court failed to specify the evidence it used to convict Julie for losses prior to 2007. As a result, they were unable to locate this evidence themselves in the court records. Consequently, the judges have decided to overturn Julie’s sentence and send the case back to the district court. The district court is now responsible for establishing the facts required to calculate Julie’s loss, restitution, and forfeiture, as well as for sentencing her again based on this new information.

The judge assigned her case to a lower court for deciding any adjustments in her sentence, whereas Todd’s sentence remains unchanged.

After having her prison sentence overturned three months ago, an Atlanta court eventually confirmed a seven-year sentence for Julie once more. In a heartfelt manner, she expressed remorse – not only to the court but also to her kids.

In a court setting on September 25th, as reported by People, Julie expressed, “Over the years, I’ve given plenty of thought to what I wish to convey. I regret my behaviors and the circumstances they’ve brought us to.” She continued, “I’ve spent 20 months in prison, but looking back, it’s been more like the time leading up to this trial that I’m sorry for – specifically, for the actions that have led us here today.

She’s made every possible effort to reconnect with her family, learning new abilities such as operating a forklift and serving food professionally. She admitted, “This phase of my life has been the toughest. I can never fully repay my children for their struggles, and for that, I am truly sorry.

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2025-05-21 20:22