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Savannah Chrisley says she will 'fight for justice' for her family, and others 'the system has failed'

Jun 17, 2022, 23:20 IST
Insider
Chase Chrisley and Savannah Chrisley in 2019.Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
  • Savannah Chrisley said in an Instagram post she will continue to stand by her family.
  • Her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were convicted on federal bank and tax fraud charges.
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Reality star Savannah Chrisley is speaking out about her parents' conviction on federal bank and tax fraud convicton charges, saying she would continue to stand by her family and "fight for justice."

On June 7, a jury found Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty of running a yearslong scheme to defraud banks and hide their money from the IRS.

"This life is so cruel and we're all doing the best we can," Savannah Chrisley wrote on Instagram Thursday, in her first post since the conviction. "I will continue to stand by my family and fight for justice. Justice for ourselves and for others that the system has failed."

Chrisley was in the Atlanta courtroom with her brother Chase throughout their parents' three week trial.

Fame and fraud

Todd and Julie Chrisley, who found fame in 2013 when USA Network picked up their reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," manipulated financial records to make it appear that they were wealthier than they were to apply for more than $30 million in loans, which they spent on a luxury lifestyle they couldn't afford, the jury found.

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When the banks caught on to them, the Chrisleys filed for bankruptcy, walking away from $20 million in debt. The couple went on to hide money from the IRS with the help of their former accountant, the jury found.

Lawyers for the couple denied they committed any fraud, and instead put the blame on Todd Chrisley's former business partner, Mark Braddock, who was the one who turned them into the FBI.

Braddock admitted to committing bank fraud, and impersonating Todd Chrisley, and was offered immunity to cooperate with the government.

The Chrisleys' lawyers said Braddock was "obsessed" with the Chrisleys, and that he turned them to protect himself and seek vengeance after Todd Chrisley learned he had embezzled from them.

But prosecutors presented evidence to the jury that Todd and Julie Chrisley continued to manipulate financial records for their benefit after 2012 when Braddock was fired and no longer in the picture.

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When Braddock took the stand, he testified that he and Todd Chrisley had a year-long affair, which Todd Chrisley's attorneyBruce Morris called pure "fantasy."

The Chrisley family stars in "Chrisley Knows Best" and a spin-off of the show.Tommy Garcia/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Feeling let down by God

"Chrisley Knows Best" is focuses on Todd Chrisley's outrageous, tight-knit Southern family, their wealth, and their Christian values.

Savannah and Chase Chrisley star in a spin-off show "Growing Up Chrisley."

USA Network recently renewed both shows.

In her Instagram post on Thursday, Savannah Chrisley said she has recently felt "let down by God," and that her prayers have gone unheard.

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She went on to say that she still believed God uses hardships to prepare people for a greater purpose.

"So I will continue believing in our Lord and Savior…I pray for strength, hope, and love," she wrote. "Thank you to all of those that continue to stand by our sides. This fight isn't over."

An Atlanta federal jury convicted Todd Chrisley of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the US, and tax fraud.

Julie Chrisley was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the US, tax fraud, and wire fraud.

They face up to 30 years in prison at their scheduled sentencing in October.

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Julie Chrisley's attorney, Chris Anulewicz, previously told Insider that they plan on filing an appeal.

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