Julie Chrisley
| Julie Chrisley | |
|---|---|
| Born: | January 9, 1973 South Carolina, United States |
| Charges: | |
| Sentence: | 7 years in federal prison; Pardoned May 2025 |
| Facility: | Federal Medical Center, Lexington |
| Status: | Released (May 28, 2025) - Presidential Pardon |
Julie Hughes Chrisley is an American reality television personality best known for starring alongside her husband Todd Chrisley in the USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best.[1] In 2022, she was convicted of federal charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. She was sentenced to seven years in federal prison but received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in May 2025.[2]
Background
Julie Chrisley was born on January 9, 1973, in South Carolina. She married Todd Chrisley in 1996, and together they raised five children—including three from Todd's previous marriage and two biological children, Chase and Savannah. The family resided in Atlanta and later Nashville, where they built a lifestyle centered on real estate, business ventures, and eventually reality television.[1]
In 2014, the Chrisley family began starring in Chrisley Knows Best, a reality series that followed their daily lives and portrayed them as a close-knit, affluent Southern family with a sharp wit. Julie was featured prominently as the family matriarch, often serving as a mediating presence between her husband's demanding personality and their children. The show became popular for its humor and family dynamics, running for nine seasons.[3]
The series spawned several spinoffs, including Growing Up Chrisley, which followed children Chase and Savannah, and Chrisley Knows Best: Behind Closed Doors.
Criminal Case
Federal Investigation
In August 2019, a federal grand jury in Atlanta indicted Julie and Todd Chrisley on 12 counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax evasion.[4] Prosecutors alleged that the couple had engaged in a multi-year scheme to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans.[3]
The Fraud Scheme
According to the indictment, Julie Chrisley played an active role in the fraud scheme that operated from approximately 2007 to 2012. Prosecutors presented evidence that she:
- Participated in creating and submitting false financial documents to banks
- Helped conceal income from their reality television show from the IRS
- Assisted in hiding money through a company controlled by her family
- Failed to file tax returns from 2013 through 2016[5]
The scheme involved submitting fabricated bank statements, fake audit reports, and inflated financial statements to obtain loans that funded the family's lavish lifestyle—the same lifestyle later showcased on their reality television program.[4]
Obstruction of Justice
In addition to the fraud charges, Julie Chrisley was charged with obstruction of justice. Prosecutors alleged that after the investigation began, she created a false document—a fabricated credit report—and provided it to investigators in an attempt to derail the investigation.[4]
Trial and Conviction
The trial took place in U.S. District Court in Atlanta in May and June 2022. On June 7, 2022, a federal jury found both Julie and Todd Chrisley guilty on all counts. Julie was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit tax evasion, and obstruction of justice.[4]
Federal prosecutor Annalise Peters argued that Julie was a "core part" of the fraudulent scheme and not merely a passive participant influenced by her husband.[6]
Sentencing
On November 21, 2022, U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross sentenced Julie Chrisley to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The couple was jointly ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.[4]
Incarceration
Julie Chrisley began serving her sentence in January 2023. She was initially assigned to Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky, a facility that provides medical care for female federal inmates. She was later transferred to another federal facility.[1]
In September 2023, her sentence was reduced by 14 months for good behavior.[1]
Appeals
Julie Chrisley's legal team aggressively pursued appeals:
2024 Appeal
On June 21, 2024, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Julie Chrisley's seven-year sentence. The appeals court ruled that the original trial judge had miscalculated her sentence because there was "insufficient evidence" to establish that Julie was involved in the bank fraud scheme from its inception in 2006.[7]
While the appeals court upheld all of her convictions, they ordered that she be resentenced by a lower court.
Resentencing
Julie Chrisley was resentenced on September 25, 2024. Her attorney, Alex Little, argued that she deserved a reduced sentence of no more than five years, characterizing her as a "minor player" whose offenses were "dramatic mistakes." He also noted her good behavior during the 20 months she had already served.[6]
However, federal prosecutor Annalise Peters urged the judge to reimpose the original seven-year sentence, arguing that Julie had shown no remorse, offered no apology, and admitted no wrongdoing. Judge Ross agreed, reimposing the seven-year sentence and noting that Julie remained "a core part" of the fraud.[6]
Following the resentencing, the restitution amount was reduced from $17.8 million to $4.7 million.[6]
Julie Chrisley's attorneys announced they would appeal the resentencing decision.
Supreme Court Petition
The Chrisleys also filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review their convictions, arguing that they had been unfairly prosecuted and that errors had been made during their trial.[8]
Presidential Pardon
On May 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced he would pardon both Julie and Todd Chrisley.[9] Their daughter Savannah had been a vocal advocate for her parents' release, speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention and publicly thanking Trump for "fighting for families like hers."[5]
The White House stated that the President was "pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted."[5]
Both Julie and Todd Chrisley were released from federal custody on May 28, 2025.[2]
Post-Release
Following her release, Julie Chrisley has indicated interest in resuming her media career. The family has discussed potential new television projects and other business ventures.[10]
Impact and Legacy
The Chrisley case became one of the most high-profile celebrity fraud prosecutions in recent years, drawing attention to the disconnect between reality television portrayals of wealth and actual financial circumstances. The family's carefully cultivated image of Southern affluence was revealed to be built partly on fraudulent loans and tax evasion.[3]
The case also highlighted the role of political connections in the clemency process. The Chrisleys' pardon came after their daughter Savannah became a vocal supporter of President Trump and spoke at the Republican National Convention, raising questions about the fairness and consistency of presidential clemency decisions.[5]
During their incarceration, the Chrisley children—particularly Savannah—took on responsibility for caring for their younger siblings and maintaining the family's public presence, documenting the experience on social media and in interviews.[1]
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Who are Todd and Julie Chrisley? What to know about Trump's pardon of couple convicted of fraud". CBS News. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Trump pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality TV couple convicted of fraud". NPR. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Trump to pardon 'Chrisley Knows Best' stars convicted in 2022 of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud banks of over $30 million". Fortune. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Television personalities sentenced to years in federal prison for fraud and tax evasion". United States Department of Justice. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Trump pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley convicted of bank fraud and tax crimes". CNN. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Julie Chrisley was just resentenced. Inside the judge's verdict". Today. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ "Julie Chrisley's sentence in bank fraud and tax evasion case thrown out as judge orders resentencing". CBS News. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ "The Chrisleys want to appeal their bank fraud and tax evasion convictions". Fortune. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ "Trump to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted of fraud and tax evasion". CNBC. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.
- ↑ "Todd Chrisley speaks out for 1st time since Trump's pardon". ABC News. Retrieved {{{access-date}}}.