'Chrisley Knows Best' stars Todd and Julie Chrisley face 10 to 22 years in federal prison for $30M fraud

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"The seriousness of the Chrisleys' crimes cannot be understated. After they defrauded community banks out of tens of millions of dollars, they hid millions of dollars from the IRS, all while going on television to boast about how much they spend on designer clothes," prosecutors wrote, according to Daily Mail. "And when they learned that they were under investigation for those crimes, they involved their own family members and friends to obstruct justice."

It continued, "The seriousness of their actions is further underscored by the fact that neither defendant has expressed remorse for their crimes, instead continuing to blame others for their own criminal conduct." 

The couple is famous for their popular reality TV show 'Chrisley Knows Best' which is USA Network's most-watched original series. The show depicts their picture-perfect lifestyle. The couple has been married 26 years and has five children: Lindsie, 32; Kyle, 30; Chase, 25; Savannah, 24; and Grayson, 16.

Prosecutors claimed that the couple took out $30 million in fraudulent bank loans to fund their aristocratic lifestyle, even before the show became popular. Prosecutors also added that the couple used a film production company to hide their earnings to keep the IRS from collecting unpaid taxes owed by Todd Chrisley. 

Todd was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax fraud in June, while Julie was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax fraud, wire fraud.

Todd was also a successful Georgia real estate entrepreneur. Despite their conviction, the show continues to air on USA Network. They also continue to run their lucrative Apple podcast called 'Chrisley Confessions'. 

The couple was brought down by the testimony of Mark Braddock, 53, a married ex-employee of the Chrisleys who told a jury that not only did he assist them in the scheme but also had a gay relationship with Todd. A judge in Atlanta was told that Todd moved in with Braddock in the early 2000s before breaking it off.

Braddock testified that after the affair ended, the pair stayed friends and formed a "brotherhood". Braddock has been granted immunity. He even had to pay large amounts of cash "in a little bag" for Todd to pay the blackmailer. 

Peter Tarantino, Todd and Julie's former attorney, was also convicted. He was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and intentionally filing false tax returns. The Chrisleys allegedly submitted fake documents to banks when applying for loans. Prosecutors also said that Julie submitted a false credit report and fake bank statements when trying to rent a house in California. After they started using the home, they refused to pay rent for a few months.