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It seems todd and Julia Chrisley did don’t know best when it comes to their finances. On November 21, Todd, 53, and Julie, 49, were sentenced to 12 and 7 years in federal prison, respectively, after being convicted of federal crimes including bank fraud, tax fraud and wire fraud. And now, as the empire that has fallen Chrisley knows best Family created crumbs around them, their children – Lindsie33, kyle31, chase26, savannah25, Grayson16th, and adopted daughter, chloe10, — are forced to pick up the shards. HollywoodLife spoke ONLY to Chrisley’s former family member Alexus Whitbywho was married Todd’s eldest son Kyle for four years, from 2014 to 2018. (Todd and Julie had previously attempted to subpoena Alexus in an independent civil trial. She claimed Todd was trying to pressure potential witnesses like her to lie). Alexus told us that she felt her combined 19-year sentence was just punishment. “It’s actually easy considering they don’t have accountability,” she said during our interview.
In June, a federal jury in northern Georgia convicted Todd and Julie on five counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States and one count of tax fraud. Julie was also charged with one charge of wire fraud and one charge of obstruction of justice. After her sentencing hearing late last month, US Attorney Ryan Buchanan said in a Ministry of Justice press release that Todd and Julie “filed false bank statements, audit reports, and personal financial reports with the community banks in Georgia to obtain $36 million in loans.” The press release said the duo “spent the money on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel — and used new fraudulent loans to pay off old ones.” For their part, Todd and Julie still maintain their innocence. That’s what her lawyers said that they plan speak to.
“I think they were aware of what they were doing. The jury saw evidence that Todd and Julie knew it was wrong.” Alexus, who was married to Kyle when he stood due to Todd’s guardianship admitted substance abuse problems,” told us. “They lied to get money off loans. They lied to everyone about their wealth. It’s very likely they thought that would happen too. They’re the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde,” added she added.
Read our interview below to find out what else Alexus says about her former in-laws.
HollywoodLife: When and how did you meet Kyle?
Alex: I met Kyle on Facebook in 2012. That was 10 years ago and we were both around 21. We have mutual friends. When I met Kyle there was no show, just an idea about the show.
HollywoodLife: When you married Kyle, what did his father, Todd, think of your marriage?
Alex: We originally got married in April 2014. Todd was furious and had our marriage annulled as Kyle’s adult guardian. We then remarried later that year when the guardianship was lifted. He seemed ok with us dating, but totally against our getting married and starting something permanent. Based on what I was told by Kyle, this led me to believe that Todd did not introduce himself to Kyle with a woman of color like me.
HollywoodLife: Has Todd ever changed his feelings towards you?
Alex: My parents are Jamaican. Having a Caribbean background and growing up in France, race wasn’t a factor for me when I fell in love with Kyle. Over time, as he watched me nurture and support his son, I think Todd grew to love me and change his attitude. Since we both had fathers who were real estate magnates, we had similarities in our backgrounds.
HollywoodLife: How was Kyle’s relationship with his father during your marriage?
Alex: Kyle has done well when he has had little to no contact with his father. When Kyle reunited with his father shortly before the arraignment, he told me that he intended to retract everything he had said bad about him and that he wanted me to write an affidavit to do the same. I declined. That was part of our marital problems.
HollywoodLife: What do you think prosecutors were trying to prove in their recent trial?
Alex: I think they wanted to prove that Todd was dishonest and that there were holes in his story. Todd and Julie have been very tight-lipped about why they do the things they do.
HollywoodLife: From your point of view, do you think Todd and Julie knew what they were doing was wrong?
Alex: I think they were aware of what they were doing. The jury saw evidence that proved they knew what they were doing was wrong. They lied to get money from loans. They lied to everyone about their wealth. They are the modern day Bonnie and Clyde.
HollywoodLife: Do you think they received a fair punishment?
Alex: I think her conviction was easy given her complete lack of accountability. It is very likely that they thought this would happen as well.
HollywoodLife: How old was Kyle’s daughter Chloe when you met Kyle?
Alex: Chloe was a few months old when she started dating Kyle. Todd was in guardianship of Kyle when I met him due to the issues surrounding his addiction. Chloe was already living with Todd and Julie and Chloe’s mother. My heart goes out to Chloe. Children deserve a stable environment.
HollywoodLife: Are you still talking to Kyle?
Alex: Not at all. The last time I saw him was in court earlier this year.
HollywoodLife: If you could say one thing to Todd, what would it be?
Alexus: I would like an apology for the hurtful remarks made about me on public broadcasts and for his attempts to undermine me, which have cost me thousands that I can never recoup. I don’t expect this will ever happen. I want him to know that I forgive him in advance and that I am praying for him, Julie and her entire family.
HollywoodLife: What about the rest of the Chrisley family?
Alex: I will always have a special place in my heart for Kyle, Lindsie, Nanny Faye, Chloe and Kyle’s mother Teresa.