Todd and Julie Chrisley are pardoned by Donald Trump

On May 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced he was pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley.

Todd and Julie Chrisley Receive Presidential Pardons

Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their prominent roles in the USA Network reality series Chrisley Knows Best, captured audiences from 2014 to 2023 with their portrayal of a wealthy Southern family. Todd Chrisley, presented as a successful real estate investor, cultivated an image of a self-made multimillionaire with an extravagant lifestyle. However, this public persona was eventually challenged by serious legal issues. The Chrisley's legal troubles became widely known in August 2019 when they were indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment included 12 counts against them, such as conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Prosecutors alleged that the couple had engaged in a scheme to defraud community banks in the Atlanta area by submitting falsified financial statements and other documents to obtain more than $36 million in personal loans.

Reactions and Controversy 

The decision has sparked heated debates. Supporters argue that the Chrisley's were targets of an unfair judicial system, while critics claim the pardon sends the wrong message about accountability. Some legal experts question whether celebrity influence played a role in the outcome. Todd and Julie, however, are focusing on rebuilding their lives. Their next steps remain uncertain, but speculation is growing about a new reality TV project chronicling their legal battles, redemption, and family reunion.

Details behind the case and the Chrisley's criminal activity

They reportedly used these fraudulently obtained funds to support their lavish lifestyle, purchasing luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate, and funding travel, even taking out new fraudulent loans to pay back old ones. According to the Department of Justice, after spending the money, Todd Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, walking away from over $20 million in fraudulently obtained loans. Todd had previously filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2012, listing $4.2 million in assets against $49.4 million of debt. In addition to bank fraud, Todd and Julie Chrisley were accused, along with their accountant Peter Tarantino, of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Prosecutors claimed they operated a loan-out company and placed corporate bank accounts solely in Julie Chrisley's name to evade the collection of half a million dollars in delinquent taxes owed by Todd Chrisley. When the IRS requested information about accounts in Julie's name, they allegedly transferred ownership to a relative to further conceal their income. The Chrisley's also failed to file tax returns or pay taxes for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was convicted of filing false corporate tax returns for the loan-out company, claiming it earned no money or distributions in 2015 and 2016. The Chrisley's were also accused of attempting to obstruct justice before and during their trial. Despite these serious charges, Chrisley Knows Best continued to air and was even renewed for an eighth season. However, after a trial in Atlanta lasting nearly three weeks, Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty on all counts on June 7, 2022. These included charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax evasion. Julie Chrisley received an additional conviction for obstruction of justice. Peter Tarantino was also convicted of multiple tax-related violations. On November 21, 2022, U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross handed down their sentences. 

Todd Chrisley, 54, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Julie Chrisley, 49, received a sentence of seven years in federal prison, also followed by three years of supervised release. Peter Tarantino was sentenced to three years in prison. The court also ordered Todd and Julie Chrisley to pay restitution, which was later determined to be $17.8 million. Both Chrisley Knows Best and its spin-off Growing Up Chrisley were cancelled following the sentencing. Todd and Julie Chrisley began serving their sentences on January 17, 2023. Todd was sent to Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie reported to Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Prison Life

While incarcerated, Todd Chrisley reportedly focused on reading, working out, and deepening his faith. He maintained daily contact with his children and emailed Julie every day. Todd described Julie as resilient during her time in prison. 

Their sentences were later reduced by more than a year in September 2023. In June 2024, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Chrisley's convictions but found that the district court had miscalculated Julie Chrisley’s sentencing guidelines. They vacated her sentence and sent the case back for resentencing. At a hearing on September 25, 2024, the district court again imposed a 7-year term for Julie and reaffirmed the restitution order. At the time of his pardon, Todd's scheduled release date was April 2032, and Julie's was January 2028. 

Prior to their federal convictions and subsequent pardon, Todd and Julie Chrisley had settled a state tax case with the Georgia Department of Revenue for less than $150,000. They also won a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia in a lawsuit claiming they were unfairly targeted in the state's tax evasion investigation by a former director of the Department of Revenue's special investigations unit. A significant turn of events occurred on May 27, 2025, when President Donald Trump announced he was pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley. During a publicly released phone call from the Oval Office to the Chrisley's daughter, Savannah, Trump stated his intention to grant full presidential pardons "by tomorrow," remarking that they had received "pretty harsh treatment". 

The White House confirmed the following day that Trump had signed the warrants. Todd Chrisley was released from the federal prison in Pensacola, Florida, on May 28, having served two and a half years. Julie Chrisley was released from the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, shortly after Todd's release that same day. Savannah Chrisley was present outside the prison in Pensacola awaiting her father's release, expressing immense gratitude and describing the process as "insane".

She claimed that prosecutors had her father's head "on a dart board" before his sentence. Savannah stated that Trump's pardon "literally came out of nowhere" and she was in shock that the president personally informed her that her family would be reunited. Upon their release, Todd and Julie Chrisley were reunited in Nashville, Tennessee. Alice Marie Johnson, Pardon Czar, reportedly claimed the Chrisley's were unjustly targeted by a "weaponized justice system," although legal analysts countered that their unanimous jury convictions were affirmed on appeal and the case was supported by extensive evidence.

Following their release and pardon, the Chrisley's are set to return to reality television. Lifetime had previously greenlit "The Untitled Chrisley's Project" to focus on the family's experiences while Todd and Julie were incarcerated. Savannah Chrisley confirmed that production resumed with Todd and Julie back home, stating they are "ecstatic" about their "new start at life". Todd Chrisley commented that they are "blessed" to return to television, as they now have a "much bigger story to tell". Experts have weighed in on their rapid comeback, with some cautioning that "redemption is a grind, not a headline" and must be earned through humility and substance rather than just being on camera. Despite their return to the spotlight, Todd Chrisley's net worth is estimated to be negative, at -$18 million.

This is largely attributed to the court order to pay $17.8 million in restitution. The couple has reportedly sold some real estate holdings, including a Nashville-area estate, which may be related to fulfilling the restitution order. h season, Todd and Julie Chrisley were indicted by a federal grand jury on 12 counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. The indictment alleged they had submitted falsified financial statements to banks to secure over $30 million in loans. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Todd and Julie Chrisley conspired to defraud community banks in the Atlanta area to obtain more than $36 million in personal loans.

Before the federal convictions and subsequent pardon, Todd and Julie Chrisley settled a state tax case with the Georgia Department of Revenue for less than $150,000, down from an initial $2.1 million charge. They also won a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia in a lawsuit claiming they were unfairly targeted in the state's tax evasion investigation by a former director of the Department of Revenue's special investigations unit, Joshua Waites. 

Following their release, the Chrisley's are set to return to reality television. Lifetime had previously greenlit "The Untitled Chrisley's Project" focusing on the family's experience while Todd and Julie were incarcerated. Savannah confirmed that production had resumed with Todd and Julie back home, and that they are ecstatic about their "new start at life". Todd Chrisley stated they are "blessed" to return to television as they have a "much bigger story to tell now". Experts have weighed in on their rapid comeback, with some cautioning that "redemption is a grind, not a headline" and must be earned through humility and substance, not just being on camera. One expert suggested that a strong comeback is built on humility and outworking the scandal, rather than trying to outshine it. Another expert noted that a celebrity's comeback is framed by the substance of the underlying charges and conviction, and that relatability is important for likability and marketability.

Despite the return to television, Todd Chrisley's net worth is estimated to be negative, at -$18 million, largely due to the order to pay $17.8 million in restitution. The couple has reportedly sold some real estate holdings, including a Nashville-area estate for $5.2 million in April 2023, which may be related to the restitution order.

Trump reportedly told the Chrisley's' daughter, Savannah, during a publicly released phone call from the Oval Office that he intended to grant full presidential pardons “by tomorrow,” stating they had received "pretty harsh treatment". The White House confirmed the next day that Trump had signed the warrants. Todd Chrisley was released from federal prison in Pensacola, Florida, on May 28, after serving two and a half years. 

Julie Chrisley was released from the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, shortly after Todd's release. Savannah Chrisley was present outside the prison in Pensacola awaiting her father's release, expressing gratitude and calling the process "insane". She claimed that prosecutors had her father's head "on a dart board" before his sentence. Savannah stated that Trump's pardon "literally came out of nowhere" and that she was in shock that the president took the time to tell her family would be reunited. Upon their release, Todd and Julie Chrisley were reunited in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Before the federal convictions and subsequent pardon, Todd and Julie Chrisley settled a state tax case with the Georgia Department of Revenue for less than $150,000. They also won a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia in a lawsuit claiming they were unfairly targeted in the state's tax evasion investigation by a former director of the Department of Revenue's special investigations unit. Following their release, the Chrisley's are set to return to reality television.

What's next for the Chrisley Family?

Lifetime had greenlit "The Untitled Chrisley's Project" focusing on the family's experience while Todd and Julie were incarcerated. Savannah confirmed that production had resumed with Todd and Julie back home, and they are "ecstatic" about their "new start at life". Todd Chrisley stated they are "blessed" to return to television as they have a "much bigger story to tell now". Experts have weighed in on their rapid comeback, with some cautioning that "redemption is a grind, not a headline" and must be earned through humility and substance, not just being on camera. Despite the return to television, Todd Chrisley's net worth is estimated to be negative, at -$18 million, largely due to the order to pay $17.8 million in restitution. The couple has reportedly sold some real estate holdings, including a Nashville-area estate, which may be related to the restitution order.