Multimillion-dollar real estate developer couple Todd and Julie Chrisley are set to appeal their "difficult" prison sentence, their attorney has said.
The couple - who were the stars of the hit US reality series Chrisley Knows Best - were sentenced on Monday (November 21) to a total of 19 years in federal prison for tax evasion, as previously reported.
The Chrisleys were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in June and were sentenced this week after government prosecutors claimed that the pair used false documents in order to get $30 million in bank loans. The lawyers also alleged that they failed to pay back another $20 million in debt.
Consequently, Todd, 53, was sentenced to 12 years in prison plus 16 months probation, while his 49-year-old wife Julie received a seven-year sentence with 16 months probation, per WSB-TV Atlanta.
According to Variety, Todd and Julie managed to conceal the millions of dollars they earned from their reality TV show from the Internal Service Revenue (IRS).
The outlet also reported on the extreme ways the couple appeared to flaunt their wealth, with trial prosecutors stating: "Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by jumping from one fraud scheme to another, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every corner. Their 'empire' was built upon the backs of defrauded community banks that collapsed while Todd Chrisley used the stolen money to fly to Los Angeles for bi-weekly haircuts."
Soon after their sentencing, the couple's 25-year-old daughter revealed during her latest podcast episode that she would be taking custody of her 16-year-old brother and 10-year-old adopted sister following her parents' impending prison sentences.
"I come home Tuesday, and I have custody of a 16-year-old and a 10-year-old, and we spend our first Thanksgiving, not as a family," she had said.
Now, Todd and Julie are set to appeal their sentence as they claim their 10-year-old daughter has been left "suicidal" at the prospect of their lengthy sentences, The Daily Mail reported. The pair apparently made the plea during their sentencing, telling the judge that their daughter "doesn't want to live if [her] mom goes away."
An attorney acting on behalf of the couple told NBC News that an appeal was "planned," saying: "Yesterday was a difficult day for the Chrisley family. But Todd and Julie are people of faith, and that faith gives them strength as they appeal their convictions."
"Their trial was marred by serious and repeated errors, including the government lying to jurors about what taxes the couple paid. Based on these issues, we are optimistic about the road ahead," they said.
