Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are speaking out about how they are feeling following their convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion earlier this month. The couple was sentenced to a combined 19 years in jail for their crimes.
On the episode of their podcast titled “Chrisley Confessions” which was released on Wednesday, Todd Chrisley shared his realization that his current circumstances had brought him closer to God.
“There have been times when I have not been as near to God when I have not been living out my faith the way that I should have been when I have not been praying the way that I should have been praying. And the more I felt from Christ, the more it appeared like the pieces of my life were falling apart “he shared with his partner of 26 years at the time. “But right now, when we are in the midst of this storm, I have the distinct impression that I am closer to God than I have ever been before. On the other hand, I frequently find myself yelling out because, as you may well know, the Bible instructs people to cry out to God and scream at him. You know that I’ve been saying that a lot lately because of all that we’re going through at the moment. You’ve heard me say things like, “God, please, I’m pleading with you to hear me.” I am completely at a loss for what to do next. I am requesting that the truth be brought to light. I am requesting that you bring light to a situation where there is darkness. I am requesting that our adversaries be brought to light.'”
The Chrisleys have steadfastly asserted their innocence, stating that they were unaware that a worker on their payroll was committing fraud against the government on their behalf. In spite of this, a judge ruled that they were responsible for lying about their wealth in order to defraud financial institutions into lending them money and for failing to pay their taxes while concealing their assets from the Internal Revenue Service for a number of years. While Todd received a sentence of 12 years, his wife, who was also convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice, received a term of 7 years. After that, the judge placed both of them on probation for a period of sixteen months.
The cast members of Chrisley Knows Best eventually came to the conclusion that they needed to acquire the skills necessary to conform to the biblical principle of welcoming one’s adversary to one’s table.
According to Todd, he has not arrived there yet.
The words that came out of his mouth were, “I just think that God has a lot more work to do in me to get me to that position.”
Julie continued by saying, “Yes, for certain we are still a work in progress.”
She referred to a “strong” teaching that she heard this week, which stated that everyone has to live each day as if it were their last. Her goal is to “live above my circumstances” and “see the light at the end of the tunnel,” and that is where the focus of her efforts is right now.
On Tuesday, Julie appeared as a guest on another podcast, which was hosted by her daughter Savannah and was titled Unlocked. During the episode, the women discussed how the legal issues facing the Chrisleys are affecting Chloe, the couple’s granddaughter whom they have raised, who is now 10 years old. Both Savannah and Julie have noticed that, as of late, Chloe acts as though she is listening to headphones, but in reality, she is only listening in on what they are saying to one other. They said that she is seeing therapists at the moment.
After the punishment, Savannah is responsible for taking care of both Chloe and her younger brother Grayson, who is 16 years old.
It is not yet apparent whether the family will continue to star in their own reality shows.