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Todd and Julie ChrisleyThe lawyer is talking about starting his business their prison sentences on Tuesday.
Alex Little of Burr & Forman LLP – the attorney for Todd, 53, and Julie, 50 – opened up about alleged wrongdoing by prosecutors that may have contributed to the Chrisley is Best Known star inside appeal to their beliefs.
“At the very beginning of this case there was an unfounded investigation by the Georgia Department of Revenue,” Little said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “The court has already found this to be unconstitutional and it is necessary stop the whole matter in its tracks. That did not happen. And that’s certainly one of the things we’re pursuing in the appeal.”
“The second part, one of the IRS officers testified if the Chrisleys paid any taxes,” he said. “Certainly, we think, it prejudiced the jury and we believe it will be the basis for a new trial.”
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HELP: Todd and Julie Chrisley report to prison to serve sentences for fraud and tax evasion.
Little also spoke on the decision to pursue an appeal in an attempt to get it justice for its customers.
“There are different players at each step in a criminal prosecution,” Little said ET. “You have the prosecutor who brings a case, you have the jury and the judge to try the case, and then you have the appeals court. .”
He continued, “Those are different people, and you can believe that you are victimized in lower cases and can expect to stop (the appeals court) if you continue to appeal.”
The lawyer argued that his clients wanted to prove their innocence and show “they are the same people they used to be.”
“They haven’t done these things and they will fighting to clear their names,” he added.
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No remorse was shown amid legal proceedings.
“It is true that the court wants to hear the defendants who have accepted the responsibility,” he explained. “But it is also difficult to accept responsibility when you have not done what you are accused of.
“It is a tragedy that any innocent person faces when they are convicted and sentenced,” he added. “I’ve had people who were found not guilty of murder ten years later and all that time some in the court believed they weren’t showing remorse when they were really innocent.
On Tuesday, Todd checked into Pensacola Federal Prison Camp to begin his 12-year prison sentence, while Julie reported to the Federal Correctional Institution and Marianna Federal Prison Camp to serve her seven-year sentence. .
The Chrisleys were punished in November after a the jury confirmed the couple in June a multi-million dollar bank fraud and tax evasion scheme. Todd and Julie were also ordered to serve an additional 16 months of probation upon their release from prison.
RELATED VIDEO: Chase Chrisley Affirms ‘God Is With Us’ As Parents Julie and Todd Spend First Day in Jail
After the sentencing, Little said the family is “hopeful” for the future as they plan to appeal the charges in a court of law. information received by PEOPLE.
“Yesterday was a difficult day for the Chrisley family. But Todd and Julie are people of faith, and that faith gives them strength when they ask for their beliefs,” said Little. “Their trial was marred by serious and repeated errors, including the government’s lying to the jury about the taxes paid by the couple. In these cases, we believe the road ahead.”
HELP: Lindsie Chrisley’s attorney breaks down Todd and Julie’s new deal amid the impending jail sentence.
It’s their daughter Lindsey ChrisleyMusa Ghanayem’s lawyer told PEOPLE in December what could happen for Todd and Julie during their appeal.
“Enforcement will take place when a new trial is ordered, they have to redo the whole process,” he said. “If there is a case that is not correct, it can be sent back down to be correct(ed). Usually, the appellate panel will make a decision, make a decision, and sometimes send it back down to enforce that decision.
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PEOPLE has reached out to Little for additional information on the Chrisleys’ appeal.