Savannah Chrisley opens up about her life after her parents imprisonment

ABC News

20 Apr 202410:06

Summary

TLDRSavannah Chrisley, a reality TV star from the show 'Chrisley Knows Best,' is actively working to free her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, who are serving prison sentences for multiple counts of bank fraud and tax evasion. Despite the hardships, Savannah remains hopeful and prayerful for a new trial, believing in the justice system's ability to hold people accountable while also ensuring the government's accountability. As she navigates her parents' legal battles, she also manages her role as the legal guardian for her younger siblings and continues to work on a new reality show that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at her life during this challenging period. Savannah's resilience is further tested by personal tragedies, including the loss of her former fiancé in a motorcycle accident and her new relationship with Robert Shyer, whose ex-wife is charged with plotting to murder him. Through it all, she stays grounded, relying on the support of loved ones and her faith.

Takeaways

🚪 Savannah Chrisley is actively working to get her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, out of prison, expressing hope and faith in the legal process.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Chrisleys, known for their reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best,' are facing prison sentences for multiple counts of bank fraud and tax evasion.
🤔 Savannah and her family argue for a new trial, questioning the truthfulness of a witness and the prosecution's knowledge of any false testimony.
🏡 Savannah has taken on the role of legal guardian for her teenage brother Grayson and 11-year-old niece Khloe since her parents' incarceration.
💔 The family dynamics have been significantly impacted, with holidays and family events being particularly challenging without Todd and Julie present.
🏢 Savannah bought her home in Nashville with earnings from her reality show, indicating her financial independence from her parents.
🛑 The reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best' was cancelled following the legal troubles of the family, leading to a significant shift in their public image.
💰 Federal prosecutors accused the Chrisleys of building an empire on fraudulent means, spending money on luxury items and using new loans to pay off old ones.
📉 The Chrisleys were indicted on 12 counts including bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy, which led to their current sentences.
🏫 Savannah's father is serving his sentence in a minimum-security prison in Florida, while her mother is in a federal medical center in Kentucky.
📈 Savannah is planning a third reality show that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at her life while advocating for her parents' release.

Q & A

Who is Savannah Christley trying to get out of prison?
-Savannah Christley is trying to get her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, out of prison.
What is the reason for Todd and Julie Chrisley's imprisonment?
-Todd and Julie Chrisley are serving prison sentences after being convicted of multiple counts of defrauding banks and evading taxes.
What is the primary issue argued by the Christley family during the hearing?
-The primary issue argued is whether one of the witnesses testified falsely and whether the prosecution had any knowledge of that, which they believe could lead to a new trial for Todd and Julie.
What reality show are Todd and Julie Chrisley known for?
-Todd and Julie Chrisley are known for the reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best'.
How has Savannah been supporting her family since her parents' imprisonment?
-Savannah has become the legal guardian for her teenage brother Grayson and 11-year-old niece Khloe, taking them to visit their parents in prison and trying to maintain a sense of normalcy.
What is the status of the reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best'?
-The show 'Chrisley Knows Best' was cancelled after the indictment of Todd and Julie Chrisley on charges of fraud and tax evasion.
What sentence did Todd Chrisley receive after the trial?
-Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
What is Savannah's stance on the government's role in the legal system?
-Savannah believes in a system that holds people accountable, but also one where the government should be held accountable as well.
How did Savannah meet her new boyfriend, Robert Shyer?
-Savannah reached out to Robert Shyer via social media after hearing about the alleged plot against him, offering support as someone who understands being in the public eye.
What is the current project Savannah is working on related to her family?
-Savannah is working on a third 'Chrisley' show, which is a behind-the-scenes look at her life while her parents are still behind bars.
What is the family's attorney, Alex Little, arguing in regards to the conviction of Todd and Julie Chrisley?
-Alex Little argues that there's a reason for appeals in the legal system and that it's possible for wrongfully convicted individuals to be released, implying that the Chrisleys' conviction may be flawed.
What are the conditions like that Todd and Julie Chrisley have complained about while in prison?
-Todd and Julie Chrisley have complained about poor conditions, including filthy environments and food that is outdated by at least a year.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Hopeful Advocacy for Parents' Freedom

Savannah Chrisley is actively working to free her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, from prison. The couple, known for their reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best,' are serving sentences for defrauding banks and tax evasion. Savannah, accompanied by her family and new boyfriend, pleads their case in court, expressing hope and faith in the judicial system. The family argues for a new trial, questioning the truthfulness of a witness's testimony. Savannah, who grew up in the public eye, now shoulders the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings as their legal guardian. Despite the challenges, she remains grounded, supported by loved ones, and has even found new love with Robert Shyer after the tragic loss of her former fiancé. The Chrisleys maintain their innocence and are fighting for justice.

05:01

🏛️ Legal Battle and the Reality of Imprisonment

In 2019, Todd and Julie Chrisley were indicted on 12 counts, including bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy. Prosecutors claim the couple built their empire on lies about their wealth, labeling them as career swindlers. The Chrisleys allegedly used fraudulent loans to fund a luxurious lifestyle and failed to file or pay taxes from 2013 to 2016. Despite the public perception, the family's attorney, Alex Little, argues that the justice system is not perfect and that there is room for appeal in cases of wrongful conviction. Todd is serving his sentence in a minimum-security prison in Florida, while Julie is in a federal medical center in Kentucky. The family struggles with the harsh reality of their situation, including poor conditions in prison, as they continue to fight for Todd and Julie's freedom. Savannah Chrisley shares her emotional journey through her podcast, 'Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley,' and is working on a new reality show that aims to capture her parents' potential return home.

10:02

📺 The End of a Reality Era

The Chrisley family's reality show, 'Chrisley Knows Best,' which showcased their affluent lifestyle and family dynamics, came to an abrupt end when the legal troubles began. The show's cancellation left the family isolated as they faced public scrutiny and the challenges of Todd and Julie's imprisonment. Despite the setbacks, Savannah Chrisley remains committed to her family and continues to advocate for her parents' release. The family's story serves as a reminder of the complexities of fame, the consequences of alleged financial crimes, and the resilience required to navigate through personal and public adversity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Savannah Chrisley

Savannah Chrisley is the daughter of Todd and Julie Chrisley, who are the central figures of the reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best.' She is actively involved in efforts to get her parents released from prison, which is a central theme of the video. Savannah's actions and feelings are a significant part of the narrative, illustrating her commitment to her family and the challenges she faces.

💡Reality Show

A reality show is a genre of television programming that documents supposedly unscripted real-life situations and features ordinary people instead of professional actors. In this context, 'Chrisley Knows Best' is a reality show that has brought the Chrisley family into the public eye, and the video discusses the impact of the show on their lives and the legal issues they are facing.

💡Federal Courthouse

A federal courthouse is a building where U.S. federal courts conduct their judicial proceedings. In the video, Savannah Chrisley arrives at a federal courthouse in Atlanta to plead her parents' case, highlighting the legal setting and the seriousness of the charges against her parents.

💡Defrauding Banks

Defrauding banks refers to the act of deceiving or cheating banks, typically through dishonest means to obtain money, credit, or other benefits. Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted of multiple counts of defrauding banks, which is a key reason for their imprisonment and a central issue in the video.

💡Tax Evasion

Tax evasion is the illegal act of willfully attempting to evade or defeat the assessment or payment of taxes owed. It is mentioned in the video that the Chrisleys were also convicted of tax evasion, adding to the severity of their legal troubles.

💡New Trial

A new trial is a legal procedure where a case is retried due to various reasons such as errors in the initial trial. The Chrisley family and their attorney argue for a new trial, asserting that there may have been false testimonies, which is a pivotal point in their quest for justice as depicted in the video.

💡Legal Guardian

A legal guardian is a person who has the legal authority to make decisions for another individual who is deemed unable to make such decisions for themselves, often due to age or incapacity. Savannah Chrisley is the legal guardian for her teenage brother Grayson and her 11-year-old niece Khloe, reflecting her new responsibilities in the absence of her parents.

💡Reality TV

Reality TV is a form of television programming that documents unscripted situations involving real individuals, often highlighting their personal lives and relationships. Savannah Chrisley came of age on reality TV, and the video discusses her experiences and the impact of being in the public eye from a young age.

💡Motorcycle Crash

A motorcycle crash refers to an accident involving a motorcycle. The video mentions that Savannah lost her former fiancé in a motorcycle crash, which is a significant personal tragedy that she has had to overcome.

💡Public Eye

Being in the public eye means being the subject of public attention or media interest. Savannah Chrisley and her family have been in the public eye since the debut of their reality show in 2014, and the video explores the challenges and implications of this exposure.

💡Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows individuals or entities to eliminate or repay some or all of their debts under the protection of the federal bankruptcy court. The video discusses the financial and legal consequences the Chrisleys faced, including allegations of fraudulent activities that led to their bankruptcy.

💡Wrongfully Convicted

Wrongfully convicted refers to a situation where a person is found guilty of a crime they did not commit. The video mentions the possibility of wrongful conviction in the context of the Chrisleys' case, emphasizing the family's belief in their innocence and the flaws in the justice system.

Highlights

Savannah Chrisley is actively working to get her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, out of prison.

She expresses hope and faith in the legal process, believing in the importance of accountability for all, including the government.

Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted of multiple counts of bank fraud and tax evasion, stemming from their reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best'.

The family and their attorney argued for a new trial, questioning the truthfulness of a witness and the prosecution's knowledge of it.

Savannah has taken on the role of legal guardian for her teenage brother Grayson and 11-year-old niece Khloe since her parents' incarceration.

She discusses the emotional toll of holidays without her parents and the difficulty of maintaining normalcy for her siblings.

Savannah's new boyfriend, Robert Shyer, supports her in court; his ex-wife is charged with plotting to murder him.

The Chrisleys' reality show was cancelled after their indictment, leading to a significant shift in their public image.

Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years and Julie to seven years in prison for their crimes.

The family's attorney, Alex Little, argues that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction and that the system allows for appeals in such cases.

Savannah is advocating for her parents' release, stating her belief in their innocence and the need for a fair legal process.

Todd and Julie have complained about the conditions they are facing in prison, with Todd describing the environment as filthy.

The Bureau of Prisons responded to the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to providing quality food and a healthy environment.

Savannah is producing a new podcast, 'Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley', where she shares her personal journey and emotions.

She is also working on a third reality show that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at her life while her parents are in prison.

Savannah expresses her hope that the reality show can capture her parents' return home and that she can achieve personal milestones with them present.