Todd and Julie Chrisley built a television empire on the premise that they always knew best, but their opulent lifestyle masked a multi-million-dollar bank fraud and tax evasion scheme. Today, the stars of Chrisley Knows Best are serving lengthy federal prison sentences after a federal jury convicted them in June 2022. Their conviction shattered the carefully curated illusion of generational wealth and brought a swift end to their reality television dominance.
The federal prosecution revealed that long before their reality show premiered on USA Network in 2014, Todd and Julie engaged in a systematic conspiracy to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in personal loans. They used fabricated bank statements, audit reports, and fake personal financial statements to secure financing they couldn't otherwise qualify for. Once the money hit their accounts, they used new loans to pay off old ones, sustaining an expensive lifestyle of designer clothes, luxury cars, and real estate until the federal government stepped in.
The Charges and Conviction Details
A federal grand jury in Atlanta indicted Todd and Julie Chrisley in August 2019 on multiple counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion. Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also indicted and convicted on related tax-related charges.
- Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud: The couple submitted forged documents to financial institutions to secure millions in fraudulent loans.
- Tax Evasion: Todd and Julie concealed millions of dollars in income earned from their reality television show from the Internal Revenue Service.
- Obstruction of Justice: Todd Chrisley was convicted of conspiring to defraud the IRS by hiding income and attempting to obstruct a federal audit by shifting ownership of corporate entities to family members.
In November 2022, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Louise Ross sentenced Todd Chrisley to 12 years in prison with 16 years of probation, while Julie Chrisley received a 7-year sentence with 16 years of probation. Tarantino received a 3-year prison sentence.
Where Are Todd and Julie Chrisley Serving Time?
The couple was originally separated into different federal facilities at the start of their sentences in January 2023. Todd Chrisley reported to Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Pensacola in Florida, a minimum-security facility. Julie Chrisley initially reported to Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky.
Following successful appeals and resentencing hearings ordered by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—which found that prosecutors couldn't prove Julie's involvement in the bank fraud from its inception—Julie was resentenced in September 2024 to 84 months (7 years), matching her original term. She was transferred to Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Marianna in Florida.
Life inside these facilities is regimented and starkly contrasts with the high-end boutiques and sprawling mansions featured on their television show. Inmates wake up early for mandatory headcounts, hold prison jobs paying pennies per hour, and live in shared dormitories or cells with strict visitation schedules.
The Unraveling of the Financial Empire
The collapse of the Chrisley household wasn't just a legal disaster; it was a total dismantling of their corporate assets. Before their trial, the state of Georgia investigated the family for state tax evasion, leading to a $2 million settlement with the Georgia Department of Revenue in 2019 after they admitted to owing back taxes from 2008 to 2016.
When federal prosecutors seized their assets and forced the liquidation of real estate holdings, the family's financial scaffolding completely gave way. According to court filings from the U.S. Department of Justice, the restitution ordered by the court totals millions of dollars, meaning any future earnings or remaining assets will be heavily garnished. Their production company, 3 Echoes Productions, and various real estate LLCs were dissolved or placed into receivership.
Impact on the Family and Reality TV Legacy
The absence of both parents fractured the dynamic of the remaining family members. Children Chase, Savannah, and Grayson Chrisley have been vocal about the emotional toll of their parents' incarceration. Savannah Chrisley assumed primary guardianship of her younger brother Grayson and niece Chloe, documenting the struggles of maintaining a household without parental guidance on her podcast, Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator updates show projected release dates that mean the family will remain separated for years to come. Todd Chrisley's scheduled release date is in the mid-2030s, keeping the patriarch behind bars for a significant portion of his remaining career.
Networks and streaming platforms quickly distanced themselves from the brand. USA Network canceled Chrisley Knows Best and its spinoff Growing Up Chrisley, while archived episodes were pulled from several streaming catalogs in the immediate wake of the conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are Todd and Julie Chrisley's prison sentences?
Todd Chrisley is serving a 12-year sentence, and Julie Chrisley is serving a 7-year sentence following her resentencing hearing. Both sentences are served in separate federal correctional facilities in Florida.
Did any other family members go to jail?
No other members of the immediate family were criminally charged or sent to prison. While children like Chase and Savannah testified during proceedings or faced public scrutiny, only Todd, Julie, and their accountant Peter Tarantino faced criminal convictions.
Are the Chrisley children still filming reality TV?
While their original network shows were canceled, the children have explored independent digital content, podcasts, and unscripted projects focused on their family's legal battles and day-to-day survival without their parents.
Will the Chrisleys be released early?
Federal prisoners must serve a high percentage of their sentences under federal guidelines. While good behavior and participation in the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) or first-step act credits can shave off months, both face multi-year confinement before supervised release begins.
