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Todd Chrisley says fraud convictions have brought him and wife Julie closer together as they prepare for prison: 'Our enemies didn't count on that'
Eve Crosbie
Reality TV personalities Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley were sentenced for bank fraud and tax evasion last year.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images for E3 Chophouse Nashville
Todd Chrisley said that his and his wife Julie's legal troubles have brought them closer together.
On "Chrisley Confessions," Todd spoke about how much "deeper" their relationship has become.
The couple will begin serving their combined 19-year sentence on fraud convictions next week.
Todd Chrisley said that being found guilty of fraud convictions has brought him and his wife Julie Chrisley closer together.
The "Chrisley Knows Best" couple are due to report to prison on January 17 to begin their respective prison sentences after a judge denied their request to extend their surrender date by 21 days on Tuesday.
Despite their days being numbered, the embattled reality TV stars found the time to record a new episode of their podcast, "Chrisley Confessions," in which they generously dispensed advice to listeners dealing with a variety of issues, including family problems, addiction, and faith.
After answering the final fan voicemail, however, Todd turned things inward and discussed how the couple's own problems have been put "out for the world to judge," referencing their very public legal ordeal that culminated in their sentencing in November 2022.
"I believe that our pain has been placed for the world to devour, with so many people wanting to see us fall, wanting to see our destruction," Todd said on Thursday's episode of "Chrisley Confessions."
Julie and Todd Chrisley on their reality TV show "Chrisley Knows Best."
USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
"But what they didn't count on was the power of God," he continued. "They didn't count on God lifting us up. They didn't count on God saying, 'Son, I don't care how many come against you. Me and you together can take on the world.'"
"So that's what our enemies didn't count on," he said. "They didn't count on that."
"Our enemies, when they set out to do this certainly did not count on it growing our family closer together. They didn't count on it driving our children closer to the Lord," Todd continued.
To his wife Julie, Todd added: "They didn't count on how much deeper our relationship was going to go."
Todd went on to say that a lot of "healing" has taken place over the last few months before their impending imprisonment, and said that he will continue to turn to God going forward.
A court sketch shows Todd and Julie Chrisley listen in court as their accountant was sentenced on November 21, 2022
Lauren Lacy
The Chrisleys were convicted in June of defrauding banks out of more than $30 million by providing fake financial statements to make them appear wealthier than they were.
Their sentences were announced in November. Todd, 53, who prosecutors called the "mastermind" of the couple's years-long tax and bank fraud scheme, was sentenced to 12 years at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola.
Julie, 49, who prosecutors believed played a lesser role, was sentenced to seven and will serve her time at Federal Correctional Institution Marianna.
Both were also sentenced to 16 months of probation following their jail time.
Prosecutors proved that the couple used loans to buy expensive cars, take extravagant trips, and live a lifestyle they couldn't afford, while also hiding money from the IRS to avoid paying taxes.
While their reality show was renewed for a 10th season in May 2022, the series and its spinoff show "Growing Up Chrisley," Deadline has reported that both projects will not move forward in light of the convictions.
Todd Chrisley Julie Chrisley Chrisley Knows Best