Savannah Chrisley reveals mom Julie's heartbreaking words to her after her sentence was overturned

By Kelsi Karruli For Dailymail.Com 18:16 03 Jul 2024, updated 18:41 03 Jul 2024

Savannah Chrisley has revealed the heartbreaking words her mom, Julie, uttered to her after her sentence was overturned as she begged her daughter to stay by her side.

The 34-year-old has been fighting for her parents' freedom after they were put behind bars for tax evasion in 2022. 

At the time, Julie, 51, received a prison sentence of seven years when she was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion, alongside her 55-year-old husband, Chrisley Knows Best star Todd Chrisley, who received a 12-year sentence.

However, on Friday, a panel of judges from the US Circuit Court of Appeals reevaluated Julie's sentence and decided to overturn it.

Now, Savannah - who has been acting as a bonus mom to her younger family members - has shared the bitter truth about the 'really big news' as she detailed how her mom's reaction 'broke her heart.' 

In an episode of her Unlocked podcast, Savannah discussed the overturned sentence and shared an update on her mom's mental health.  

She revealed that Julie had an overwhelming amount of emotions surrounding her release.

Savannah said: 'She's like, "I know you want to have your own life and I want you to do that, but for the first few months, you're going to have to stay with me."' 

The 34-year-old admitted that it 'broke her heart' to hear those words.

Savannah noted that she wanted to make sure her mom's mental health would be a priority upon her release. 

She added: 'I have to let her process things. There's going to be a lot of things when she comes home that is not going to be easy and the PTSD that these men and women suffer from being in prison is horrendous.' 

The 34-year-old reality TV star revealed that her goal was to welcome her mom home for Thanksgiving after her seven-year sentence was overturned. 

She confessed that if her mom came home in time for the holidays, life would be 'so much better.' 

'Now we sit and wait, hopefully, no more than 90 days to go for that hearing. Hopefully, she comes home. If she comes home, oh, my gosh, life will be so much better.

'I'm making it my goal that by Thanksgiving she is home.' 

Savannah also explained that she was worried about the heightened press that would surround her and her siblings once her mom got home. 

On Friday, a three-judge panel from the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals decided to reevaluate Julie's sentencing.

Initially, Julie was found responsible for the fraud scheme dating back to 2006, however, the judge has now ruled that there was no evidence of her involvement before 2007, partially exonerating her from the conspiracy, The Sun reported.

Julie's case will now return to a lower court for resentencing, providing an opportunity for a potentially reduced prison term for her punishment over what the appellate panel called a 'narrow issue.'

'We're pleased that the Court agreed that Julie's sentence was improper, but we're obviously disappointed that it rejected Todd's appeal,' Alex Little, an attorney for the couple, said in an email message to the AP.

He said the Chrisley family was 'hopeful for more good news in the future.'

The reality star couple was found guilty in July 2022 of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans.

The Chrisleys were also found guilty of tax evasion by hiding their earnings while showcasing an extravagant lifestyle.

Todd was sentenced to 12 years and wife Julie was given seven years behind bars, heading off to prison in January 2023.

Since then, Savannah has been raising brother Grayson, 17, and 11-year-old niece Chloe, while filming a new reality show with the kids, 27-year-old brother Chase Chrisley, and Nanny Faye.