Julie Chrisley tried to avoid a prison term by saying her adopted daughter, Chloe, is “suicidal” and would take her own life if Julie went to prison.
Julie, 49, and her husband Todd Chrisley, 53, took full custody of Chloe after their son Kyle and Chloe’s mother couldn’t care for her due to his mental history and drug addiction.
On Monday, Julie and Todd were sentenced to seven and 12 years in prison after they were convicted in a $30 million tax fraud case.
The Chrisleys were found guilty on criminal bank fraud and tax evasion charges in June. Prosecutors said they filed false documents to take out $30 million in fraudulent bank loans.
The couple used the cash to fund their lavish lifestyle before they were stars in their own reality TV series.
During her sentencing hearing on Monday, Julie pleaded with the judge to have mercy on her and her adopted daughter.
“To hear your 10-year-old say she doesn’t want to live if their mom goes away, no child should feel that way,” Julie said while fighting back tears.
US District Judge Eleanor Ross was sympathetic, however, she said the “greed and flamboyance” in their case could not be ignored.
Judge Ross said parents being separated from their children was common in the prison system and not grounds for leniency.
“It is heartbreaking, but it has to be burdened by the defendants,” she said, before adding that Julie never expressed remorse or responsibility for her crimes.
“I’ve never heard any acceptance of any crime. I’ve never really heard any admission to any wrongdoing or any remorse,” Judge Ross said.
“I have no reason to doubt that both Chrisleys have good hearts. But, I cannot ignore the greed and flamboyance in this case.”
RELATED: Todd and Julie Chrisley Guilty of $30 Million Tax Evasion, Face 30 Years in Prison
Todd tearfully pleaded with the judge for a reduced sentence for Julie for the benefit of Chloe, and their injured son Grayson Chrisley.
The 16-year-old was seriously injured after his truck collided with another vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday.
Grayson told police he couldn’t remember the accident and he was rushed to a hospital with a possible brain injury.
The Chrisleys are best known for their reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, which premiered in March of 2014.
NBC Universal reportedly canceled Chrisley Knows Best and “Growing Up Chrisley” after the judge sentenced the couple to prison.
Todd will serve out his sentence at FCI Pensacola, and Julie will do her time at FCI Tallahassee, aka Club Fed — the same prison where Ghislaine Maxwell is serving her sentence.
Judge Ross ordered the couple to surrender to prison officials in January 2023 so they can spend the Christmas holiday with their family.
