ATLANTA, Georgia — Reality TV show stars Todd and Julie Chrisley have been sentenced to prison following their convictions for bank fraud and federal tax evasion.
According to the Associated Press, the Chrisleys was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta. Todd Chrisley, reports say, received a 12-year prison sentence, while his wife Julie received 7 years in prison.
Chrisley Knows Best has been a popular series for many years. Todd Chrisley was recently scheduled to begin filming on two spin-off shows. Sources say the production was suspended pending the outcome of their criminal case.
The prosecutor in the case told the Huffington Post, “The Chrisleys have built an empire based on the lie that their wealth came from dedication and hard work.”
Investigators in the case say the couple provided fake documents to banks in an attempt to garner a loan worth more than $30 million. The Chrisleys’ scheme, officials say, fell apart when Todd filed for bankruptcy at the same time he was “flaunting their wealth and lifestyle to the American public.”