(5MinNewsBreak.com) – In a striking judicial move, conservative TV star Julie Chrisley has been re-sentenced to seven years in prison for bank fraud and tax evasion.
Political motivations are being alleged by her family, deeply frustrating many who see this as an overreach of power.
Julie Chrisley, a former star of “Chrisley Knows Best,” was re-sentenced by a federal court in Atlanta to seven years in prison after being found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion.
The Chrisleys, who once enjoyed a lavish lifestyle on their hit TV show, now face serious consequences.
Julie and her husband Todd Chrisley were found guilty of securing $36 million in fraudulent loans and evading more than $500,000 in taxes.
Although originally sentenced to seven years, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals identified a legal error that led to a new sentencing hearing, AP reports.
Despite her attorney’s pleas for leniency, arguing she was only a minor player in the fraudulent activities and had shown good behavior in prison, Julie was handed the same sentence.
The federal prosecutor contended that Julie Chrisley played “a core part” of the scheme and did not express genuine remorse.
“I apologize for my actions and what led me to where I am today,” Julie Chrisley stated in court.
She also noted that her time behind bars had been tremendously difficult and emotionally taxing on her family, cited by Newsweek.
Her restitution owed has been significantly reduced from an initial $17.8 million to $4.7 million.
The Chrisleys’ extravagant spending on luxury items and false document submissions to obtain fraudulent loans have only added to their public disgrace.
Importantly, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross pointed out that many defendants, who also have children and far fewer resources, receive harsh sentences for similar crimes.
The judge emphasized that her ruling took into account the relevant mitigating factors.
In a statement, Savannah Chrisley condemned the sentence as politically motivated.
She vowed to appeal the ruling, claiming bias against her family due to their conservative ties and public notoriety.
Currently, Todd Chrisley is serving a 12-year sentence in a minimum-security prison in Florida, while Julie Chrisley is expected to be returned to a facility in Kentucky.
The nation’s attention remains fixated on the Chrisleys, with critics saying the justice system targets those who defy liberal ideals.
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