Why were Todd and Julie Chrisley imprisoned? Reality TV stars released after Presidential Pardon confirmed
Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from prison on 28 May 2025 after receiving a full pardon from President Donald Trump. The couple, known for their reality show Chrisley Knows Best, had been convicted in 2022 for conspiring to defraud banks out of over $30 million and for tax evasion.
Prosecutors accused the Chrisleys of submitting false documents to secure fraudulent loans, then using the funds to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included luxury cars, designer goods and high-end travel. Todd later declared bankruptcy, leaving over $20 million in loans unpaid.
Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Julie to 7 years, along with an order to repay $17.8 million in restitution. A U.S. appeals court later sent Julie's case back for resentencing due to a legal error in how her sentence was calculated.
Trump's pardon followed a call with daughter Savannah Chrisley, where he stated, 'Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope that we can do it by tomorrow.' Savannah previously addressed the Republican National Convention, claiming her parents were targeted due to their conservative values.
Attorney Alex Little welcomed the pardon, saying it 'corrects a deep injustice' and enables the family to rebuild.
The Chrisleys now join a list of high-profile individuals granted clemency by Trump, as part of what he describes as correcting politically motivated prosecutions.
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5 days ago
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Why were Todd and Julie Chrisley imprisoned? Reality TV stars released after Presidential Pardon confirmed
Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from prison on 28 May 2025 after receiving a full pardon from President Donald Trump. The couple, known for their reality show Chrisley Knows Best, had been convicted in 2022 for conspiring to defraud banks out of over $30 million and for tax evasion. Prosecutors accused the Chrisleys of submitting false documents to secure fraudulent loans, then using the funds to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included luxury cars, designer goods and high-end travel. Todd later declared bankruptcy, leaving over $20 million in loans unpaid. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Julie to 7 years, along with an order to repay $17.8 million in restitution. A U.S. appeals court later sent Julie's case back for resentencing due to a legal error in how her sentence was calculated. Trump's pardon followed a call with daughter Savannah Chrisley, where he stated, 'Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope that we can do it by tomorrow.' Savannah previously addressed the Republican National Convention, claiming her parents were targeted due to their conservative values. Attorney Alex Little welcomed the pardon, saying it 'corrects a deep injustice' and enables the family to rebuild. The Chrisleys now join a list of high-profile individuals granted clemency by Trump, as part of what he describes as correcting politically motivated prosecutions.
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Todd and Julie Chrisley pardon: Children Chase and Savannah thanks Donald Trump for freeing their parents
Chase Chrisley has expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump following the presidential pardons granted to his parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were serving time for financial crimes. Todd and Julie Chrisley were fully pardoned by Donald Trump on 27 May, ending their sentences for tax evasion, conspiracy, and fraud charges stemming from a 2022 conviction. Their son, Chase Chrisley, 28, thanked Trump in a statement shared with People magazine, saying he was 'extremely grateful' and thankful to have his family 'together again.' The couple, known for their reality show Chrisley Knows Best, were originally sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison in November 2022. Their sentences were later reduced by roughly two years each. 'I am grateful to God and extremely grateful to President Trump and his entire administration,' said Chase. 'I'm beyond thankful to finally have my parents back home and my family together again.' Chase also took to Instagram to celebrate, posting photos with his brother Grayson wearing 'Make America Great Again' hats and sharing clips of the moment Trump informed the family of the decision. Savannah Chrisley, 27, who assumed guardianship of her younger siblings during her parents' incarceration, had previously expressed hope for a pardon. She claimed that Trump personally called her to share the news. 'I have shed so many tears,' she said. 'The President called me personally as I was walking into Sam's Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both of my parents.' In a video recorded in the Oval Office, Trump said the couple had been 'given a pretty harsh treatment' and announced that their records would be cleared. He spoke to Savannah and Grayson by phone, saying, 'It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean.' The Chrisley family has publicly advocated for the couple's release since their imprisonment. In a statement on 27 May, Savannah called the pardons 'a victory' and pledged to continue speaking out on criminal justice issues. 'For the past two and a half years, I've done everything in my power to fight for my parents' freedom,' she said. 'This moment is the answer to countless prayers... The fight against wrongful convictions and injustice within our prison system is far from over.' Todd and Julie Chrisley were taken into custody in January 2023 after separate appeals were either denied or reversed. They had been found guilty on multiple federal charges related to financial fraud.
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Donald Trump pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley in tax evasion and fraud case
Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality series Chrisley Knows Best, have been officially pardoned by former President Donald Trump in their high-profile tax evasion and bank fraud case. The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The couple, aged 56 and 52, were convicted in 2022 on multiple charges of tax evasion and bank fraud and began serving prison sentences in January 2023. Since then, they have consistently appealed their convictions, arguing they received excessive punishment. Donald Trump, now 78, granted the full presidential pardon, citing what he described as "pretty harsh treatment" of the Chrisleys. In a phone call to their children, Trump expressed sympathy and optimism about their release, saying, 'It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean.' The Chrisleys rose to fame with their USA Network reality show, which documented the wealthy family's lifestyle. Their legal troubles began after investigations revealed falsified financial documents to secure loans and evade taxes. The pardon brings a dramatic turn to the couple's long-running legal battle and has already sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters view it as justice served, while critics argue it reflects celebrity privilege and political favoritism. This development is part of a broader wave of high-profile pardons as Trump maintains public influence amid ongoing political activities. Further details on the Chrisleys' release and legal status are expected in the coming days.
