Todd & Julie Chrisley Indicted for Tax Evasion

On Tuesday, the couple was indicted on tax evasion charges in Georgia. In the 12-count indictment, obtained by “Extra,” Todd and Julie have been accused of bank fraud and wire fraud conspiracy, among other offenses. Accountant Peter Tarantino was also charged in the indictment with "conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding the filing of a false tax return.”

In a news conference, U.S. Attorney Byung J. BJay Pak alleges that Chrisley “directed the falsifying or creation of false documents and directed Co Conspirator A to submit them” to banks.

The indictment stated that the Chrisleys submitted fake bank and financial statements to get loans worth millions “for their own personal benefit.” The couple are also being accused of sending a fabricated credit report and bank statements showing much more money than they actually had in their bank accounts when they were trying to rent a home in California. They eventually got the lease, but refused to pay rent in October 2014, leading the property owner to threaten eviction.

Pak also accused the Chrisleys of hiding money from the IRS with the use of their company 7C's Productions, which received money that they earned from their TV show. The money received was not declared as income in federal tax returns, according to Pak.

The indictment also noted that the Chrisleys didn't file or pay federal income taxes on time for several years.

Pak stressed, “Just because you're rich and on a TV show doesn't mean that the law is not going to come get you when you commit a federal crime.”

Without naming Tarantino, Todd addressed the indictment on Instagram, accusing a former employee of stealing, “creating phony documents, forging our signatures, and threatening other employees with violence if they said anything.”

Chrisley claims that after being fired, the disgruntled employee retaliated by bringing the “phony documents to the U.S. Attorney's office and told them we had committed all kinds of financial crimes.”

Todd claims the employee was able to get the family charged after a second attempt.

Chrisley emphasized, “I'm telling you all this now because we have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be ashamed of. Not only do we know we've done nothing wrong, but we've got a ton of hard evidence and a bunch of corroborating witnesses that proves it… We know that if and when this goes to court, the truth will prevail and the charges against us will be exposed for the outrageous lies they are.”

Chrisley's lawyers said in a separate statement, "The allegations contained in the indictment are based on complete falsehoods. The Chrisleys are innocent of all charges.”

After an arrest warrant was issued, the Chrisleys surrendered in Atlanta, and are set to have their first court appearance Wednesday.

If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison.

On a separate note, Todd and Julie's son Chase has also been accused of owing $16,000 in back federal taxes from 2014.