
Who is Savannah Chrisley? Todd and Julie Chrisley daughter that pushed for pardon
Todd and Julie Chrisley are out from behind bars after President Donald Trump pardoned the two on tax evasion and fraud charges. On May 30, the whole Chrisley family came together to speak, including the couple's biggest advocate, their daughter Savannah.
Savannah Chrisley has made a name for herself in her quest to get her parents pardoned. But her actions went a bit beyond the usual sphere of writing a petition to the president for a pardon. Savannah Chrisley was vocal to the media and even took to the stage at the Republican National Convention in 2024 to plead her parents' case and of them being "persecution" by a "two-faced judicial system" that persecutes "Christians and conservatives that the government has labeled extremists or even worse."
The plea apparently was heard by Trump and he called Savannah Chrisley personally to tell her in a social media video on May 27, to tell her about her parents' pardon.
Here's everything to know about the former reality star from Tennessee and her quest to free her parents.
The former reality television star is Todd and Julie Chrisley's middle daughter.
Chrisley is mostly known for her appearances in "Chrisley Knows Best," "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test," and "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens." Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, the 27-year-old reality TV star lives in Middle Tennessee where in addition to podcasting, she also works in real estate.
She won Miss Tennessee Teen USA in 2016 and placed in the top 15 at Miss Teen USA 2016. This year she was revealed as the "Afghan Hound" on the "Wizard of US" night of "The Masked Singer."
After Trump's announcement of Todd and Julie Chrisley's pardon, Savannah reported getting ready for their return.
"We're getting some clothes together for mom and dad, getting their room put together upstairs, and I'm just speechless. I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with my family along the way and for loving us and supporting us," she said.
On May 28, Julie and Todd were back in the Nashville area.
Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty in June 2022 of committing tax evasion and defrauding community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. Julie Chrisley was also convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
In November 2022, the couple was originally sentenced to 12 and seven years in prison, respectively. They also received an order of 16 months probation from U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta, news outlets reported.
A few weeks ago, the Chrisleys were further ordered to turn over $30,000 held in an Alabama trust fund to help pay for their $17 million judgment after their guilty verdict.
Todd was sentenced to 12 years at Florida's Federal Prison Camp Pensacola while Julie received a seven-year sentence at Kentucky's Federal Medical Center in Lexington.
The two began their prison sentences in January 2023.
While Trump mentioned trying to get Julie and Todd Chrisley out by May 28, which happened.
The couple was released from their respective federal prisons in Florida and Kentucky that day and were on the "way home to Nashville," according to the family's legal representation.
The Chrisley family moved from Atlanta to Nashville in 2015.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Todd, Julie Chrisley daughter Savannah Chrisley pushed for pardons
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Pardoned Or Not, ‘Chrisley Knows Best' About Tax Evasion
In 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced to prison for, among other things, tax fraud. The celebrity couple known best for their reality TV show titled 'Chrisley Knows Best' became famous, in part, for their impression of living a lavish lifestyle. However, it was all a sham, which led to them being convicted of financial crimes. In unexpected news, President Trump has pardoned the Chrisleys. This article discusses their crimes, how what they did for tax evasion differs from legal tax avoidance, and what their pardoning might mean for tax enforcement during Trump's second term. According to the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Todd and Julie Chrisley's fraudulent activity began when the couple defrauded community banks in Georgia. The couple used falsified bank statements, financial records, and personal financial information to obtain over $36 million in loans from these banks. Additionally, the Chrisleys provided false financial documents to the IRS, suggesting they made less money than expected. Reporting lower income than earned is tax fraud, leading to those charges. As time continued, the couple ran out of options to continue this fraud, which led to them filing for bankruptcy, ultimately casting a bright light on their fraudulent activity. While there was a host of financial crimes committed by the Chrisleys, their main issues ultimately came down to using fake tax information to obtain loans from financial institutions and then providing different false tax information to the taxing authorities, leading to them committing tax evasion. While even the IRS states that taxpayers are not required to pay more taxes legally than what the tax law explicitly specifies, they also cannot provide false information to lower their tax liabilities. This distinction often leads to taxpayers' confusion when assessing the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Tax avoidance occurs when taxpayers lower their tax liability via a deduction or credit. For instance, a taxpayer can buy a home by borrowing money and receive a mortgage interest itemized deduction. This deduction was passed into law by Congress to increase incentives for home ownership. While this activity results in the home owning taxpayer having a lower tax liability than a taxpayer who does not own a home, it is not considered evasion because it was legally obtained. Similar tax deductions exist for donating to charitable organizations, excessive healthcare expenses, paying state and local income taxes, among others. Taxpayers also might have legal tax avoidance by way of tax credits. Credits also lower a taxpayer's tax liability. However rather than reducing their taxable income, a tax credit lowers the taxes owed themselves. Because of this, tax credits are even more valuable than tax deductions. Common tax credits include the child tax credit, the lifetime learning tax credit, and the earned income tax credit. This decrease in tax liability via legal deductions and credits stands in stark contrast to the activities of Todd and Julie Chrisley, who only had lower tax liability because they underreported their income. Because their behavior was deliberate and careless, it was deemed tax evasion, which contributed significantly to the harsh sentence they faced. Furthermore, the Chrisley's also faced sweeping criticism by impeding the investigation process by not timely filing tax returns in many years as well as not cooperating with the tax authority. Trump pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley for their crimes sends a message about the administration's stance on tax enforcement. In particular, the Chrisley family is connected with Trump as Todd and Julie's eldest daughter, Savannah, was among the limited speakers during the 2024 Republican National Convention. This connection parallels Trump's pardoning of Paul Walczak for his tax crimes. According to The New York Times, Walczak's mother attended a $1 million dinner supporting Trump. While it is not unusual for the President to issue pardons, especially when the individuals are connected with the President, the timing of this one is quite unusual as it took place during the first few months. Presidents typically reserve these pardons for the end of their term as the pardoning activity has the potential to signal policy and preferences that can impact their administration. In this case, Trump has signaled his willingness to overlook a relatively straightforward tax fraud among a celebrity couple, plausibly (and potentially solely) due to their support for him. According to Kiplinger, this action can signal Trump's willingness to condone these actions and activities to his supporters. A Forbes contributor suggests that Trump's decisions erode confidence in the tax system. The IRS continues to have a questionable future. According to The Washington Post, Trump has effectively removed any funding increases the agency was supposed to receive from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Bloomberg reports that Trump's proposed $9.8 billion budget for the IRS would be approximately 20% lower than last year's budget of $12.3 billion. As the funding for the IRS continues to be under fire, these actions to pardon wealth tax cheats are yet another piece of the puzzle, creating the image that tax enforcement among wealthy taxpayers may be of low importance.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Todd Chrisley Comments on His Post-Prison Body and Residual Botox That ‘Didn't Wear Off'
Todd Chrisley got real about his time in prison. Chrisley, 56, opened up about his daily routine in the Pensacola Federal Prison Camp while chatting about how the media thought he looked 'jacked' in a press conference on Friday, May 30. 'I had nothing to do other than to read and to work out,' he said. Todd, who was arrested with his wife Julie Chrisley for fraud, continued, 'I worked out every morning at 10:45 until 12, with my buddies there, and I read, and my walk with Christ became deeper, and I talked to my daughter every day [and] to Chase to Grayson.' (The couple shares Chase, 28, and Grayson, 19, along with daughter Savannah, 27. Todd is also the dad of Lindsie, 35, and Kyle, 33, whom he shares with his ex-wife Teresa Terry.) Todd added, 'I was able to email with Julie every day. Maybe it's all the residual Botox that didn't wear off.' The Biggest Bombshells From Todd Chrisley's 1st Press Conference Since Pardon Todd was released from prison following a presidential pardon from Donald Trump earlier this week. Todd and Julie, 52, were arrested in 2019 for tax evasion, bank and wire fraud, and conspiracy charges. They were both found guilty in 2022, and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie was given seven years. They were also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution. The couple maintained their innocence and got their sentences reduced by nearly two years in September 2023. Elsewhere in the press conference, Todd explained how grateful he was to be out of prison. Todd Chrisley Jokes Around, Daughter Savannah Says He Got 'Jacked' in Prison After Release 'I want to thank first and foremost my lord and savior because that's who got me through it,' he said, gushing that Savannah helped advocate for her parents. 'She has fought a long fight and for any parent to see their child fight this hard, it's a double-edged sword. It's a blessing and then your heart breaks because your child has been placed in that position.' He added: 'Even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do. It could be you. It could be any of you.'


New York Post
16 hours ago
- New York Post
Inside the opulent mansion where Todd and Julie Chrisley will live after leaving prison
Imprisoned reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley have been pardoned by President Donald Trump—just over two years after they were sentenced to a collective 19 years behind bars for tax evasion and bank fraud. The TV personalities, who shot to fame in 2014 with their hit reality series 'Chrisley Knows Best,' were found guilty in 2022 of conspiring to defraud Georgia banks out of more than $36 million in personal loans and tax evasion. Advertisement At the time, Todd, 56, who served time at the Federal Correctional Institution Pensacola in Florida, received a 12-year sentence, which was later reduced to 10 years. Julie, 52, was handed a seven-year sentence, which she served at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, KY. Since their conviction, the couple's daughter, Savannah, 27, has fought to have their sentences overturned, issuing public pleas for government support, while alleging that her parents were being subjected to 'beyond inhumane' conditions behind bars. 8 Todd and Julie Chrisley, reality couple from 'Chrisley Knows Best,' has been pardoned by President Trump and are headed to Nashville. chasechrisley/Instagram Now, the budding real estate agent—who is raising her brother, Grayson, 18, and her 12-year-old niece, Chloe, in her parents' absence—has taken a major step forward in her fight for her parents' freedom after Trump phoned her to say that he plans to pardon both Todd and Julie—who are now home and flexing their freedom online. Advertisement 'It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean,' the president said during the conversation, which was videotaped and shared by his communications advisor Margo Martin on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'I hope we can do it by tomorrow. I don't know them, but give them my regards,' Trump told the 27-year-old, who is in the process of filming a new reality series about how her life was turned upside down by her parents' convictions. Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Savannah later took to TikTok to celebrate the news, donning a gold-and-white MAGA baseball cap, while telling viewers how much she was 'freaking out' over the announcement. Advertisement 'I have shed so many tears. The president called me personally as I was walking into Sam's Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both my parents. So both my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow. And I still don't believe it's real,' she admitted. 8 'The president called me personally as I was walking into Sam's Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both my parents,' Savannah Chrisley said on TikTok. 'I still don't believe it's real.' Instagram/@savannahchrisley 'The fact that the president called me—I will forever be grateful for President Trump, his administration and everyone along the way,' she added. 'We're getting some clothes together for Mom and Dad, getting their room put together upstairs, and I'm just speechless. I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with my family along the way and for loving us and supporting us,' she said. Advertisement She ended the video by thanking the Trump administration: 'My parents get to start their lives over. President Trump didn't just commute their sentences. He gave them a full, unconditional pardon. So for that, I am forever grateful. 8 Todd Chrisley speaks as his attorney Alex Little and daughter Savannah Chrisley listen during a news conference in Nashville on Friday. REUTERS 'Thank you, President Trump. I vow to stand next to you and your administration and expose the corruption and continue fighting for the men and women who are in prison. I will repay your kindness to every person I meet. Thank God for a president like Donald J. Trump.' Following their release, the family made sure to boast their freedom—and their new appearances. Savannah documented her parents' release from prison in a series of clips shared to her Instagram Story. In one video, Todd was heard gushing about his release as he confessed that he had gotten 'jacked' during his time behind bars. Todd flexed his bicep muscles while he sat in the back of the car, urging his daughter to 'feel his muscle' Stay up to date on recently pardoned reality star, Todd Chrisley Advertisement 'Y'all I'm not gonna lie, it's hard,' Savanah said in the clip. Prior to their imprisonment, the Chrisley family was known for flaunting their lavish lifestyle, which included the purchase and sale of several luxurious homes. In April 2019, Julie bought a posh property in Brentwood, TN, for $3.4 million, having snapped it up from former hockey pro Mike Ribeiro, who had been playing with the Nashville Predators. The Chrisleys renovated the mansion and, just two months later, put it back on the market for $4.75 million. Advertisement 8 Julie and Todd Chrisley during season 4 of their reality show. USA Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection However, they struggled to sell it and took it off the market a year later. Built in 2013, the 12,753-square-foot mansion is outfitted with high-end finishes. Highlights include a formal dining room with hand-painted wallpaper, a rec room, a wine cellar, an indoor sport court, and a wood-paneled office with a decorative ceiling. Set on an acre, the grounds boast a covered patio with a fireplace and barbecue station, as well as a pool and spa. Advertisement For a time, the family used the property as their main residence, having relocated from their former home in the Belle Meade neighborhood of Nashville when it started to draw 'unwanted attention from tourists.' 8 In April 2019, Julie bought a posh property in Brentwood, TN, for $3,375,000. It was sold in 2023. The Belle Meade home was purchased by the family for $1.6 million in 2016, when they relocated from Atlanta to Nashville. The home quickly earned its own celebrity profile after being featured on their hit series. Built in 2014, the four-bedroom, 5,229-square-foot home features a living room with multiple sets of French doors, an open kitchen with a large island, a wet bar, and two fireplaces. Advertisement Measuring a little over a half-acre, the outdoor space includes a level lawn and a patio. 8 Savannah Chrisley's Nashville, TN home. Christopher Oquendo for NY Post In 2020, ownership of the Belle Meade property was transferred to Savannah, and it is understood that this is the home where Todd and Julie will live as soon as they are freed. They finally managed to sell their Brentwood property in 2023, netting $5.2 million for the home in an off-market transaction that was arranged while the duo was behind bars. Todd and Julie have a long history of buying and selling homes in Atlanta, before they moved to Nashville. In 2006, Todd purchased a 16-acre estate in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood. He paid an eye-watering $9 million for the eight-bedroom European-style mansion. 8 After making a name for themselves on reality TV, the couple moved from Atlanta to Nashville in 2016, and will be living with Savannah in the family's Lynwood Boulevard mansion. According to reports, he lost the property to foreclosure in 2012. In the show's first season, the family lived regally in a nine-bedroom, 30,000-square-foot pile in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell. Located in a gated community, the property offered landscaped grounds, along with a heated saltwater pool and hot tub, an outdoor terrace with a fireplace, and a children's playground. 8 Chrisley Knows Best cast from left: Faye Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, Chloe Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, Grayson Chrisley. USA Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection Initially listed in 2007 for $7 million, the mansion bounced on and off the market for years before finally selling for $1.2 million in 2014. To maintain camera-ready appearances for their show, the Chrisley family leased a posh place in Suwanee, GA, in 2014. It was the backdrop of their program after they had to leave their Roswell estate. Built in 2006, the 7,800-square-foot mansion sits on the sixth hole of the River Club golf course. The custom-built residence features built-ins, teak flooring, fireplaces, an office, and a formal dining room. The primary suite has a fireplace, dual closets, and golf course views—and it was often the focus of scenes in the show. When it came on the luxury rental market in 2016, the monthly lease was a steep $8,000. Unrelated to any Chrisley shenanigans, the mansion popped on the market in February for $1,949,000 and was sold a month later for $1,868,000. The family also laid claim to another Atlanta-area home. The four-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot brick house in Alpharetta was reportedly the home of Todd's mother, known as 'Nanny' Faye on the show. It was purchased for $452,900 in 2005, and in 2017, it was sold for $540,000.