Latest news with #Chrisleys
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup Trailer — Watch
This week, ABC News released a trailer for the upcoming The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup special. It's ABC News Studios' IMPACT x Nightline's 100th episode and Season 3 finale, and is airing this weekend, Sunday, June 29, 2025. The interview was among the first shot when Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley were released from prison due to a presidential pardon and it looks like they're ready to talk about their experience. And in the snippet of the trailer right at the beginning, Todd admits that he has no apologies to give to anyone about what happened or the money he's made. 'I don't have an apology to give you or anyone else over the money I've made,' Todd said. He could be referencing the federal fraud charges and hiding wealth from tax authorities. Looks like he still believes he didn't do anything wrong. The trailer begins with the controversial quote and then gives us a quick rundown of Todd and Julie calling them 'reality stars turned convicted criminals behind bars.' But now, they're free from prison. 'You don't know how much your freedom means to you, until you lose it,' Todd shared. The trailer then highlights all the work Savannah Chrisley put into her crusade to get her parents out of jail and to protest the bad prison conditions they had to suffer. Julie shared that she started crying when she heard she was going free. All of this leading up to the interview. 'Does prison change you?' anchor Juju Chang asked. 'It has to change you,' Todd answered. 'If it didn't change you, then you're not human.' She then delved into the question on everyone's mind. 'We're talking serious charges, bank fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion,' she began. The trailer showed Todd prepared to answer but didn't share what he said. The couple also touched on the fact that they know that not everyone believes they should be freed. 'I'm not oblivious to the fact that some people don't agree with it,' Julie admitted. The trailer ends with Juju's question, 'What, if anything, do you think you did wrong?' The answer to that one should be interesting. The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup on News Impact x Nightline streams on Sunday, June 29 on Hulu and Disney+. TELL US – ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR INTERVIEW? The post The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup Trailer — Watch appeared first on Reality Tea.
NBC News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
'I'm getting out of here!' Todd and Julie Chrisley sit down for first interview since release from prison
Former reality-TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley sat down with Fox News for an exclusive interview after their release from prison following pardons from President Donald Trump. The pair, known for starring in the show 'Chrisley Knows Best,' were unanimously convicted by a jury in 2022 on charges of fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States. They received the pardons after a campaign by their daughter Savannah Chrisley. Todd was serving a 12-year prison sentence, while Julie was serving seven years. The couple, joined by their children Savannah and Grayson, spoke to Fox News' Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law. Todd Chrisley expressed how grateful the couple is for their release. 'We owe thanks to God,' he said. 'And I say — and God touched President Trump's heart. God led the people to advocate for us. And so I'm grateful, because every night I would pray that God would return me home to my wife and my children. And he did that, so I'm grateful.' Julie Chrisley recalled the moment she found out about the pardon from her daughter. 'She said, 'He did it! He signed it!' And I just started busting out crying,' she said, adding that she hung up the phone right afterward and told those who asked if she was OK that 'I'm getting out of here!' Todd Chrisley said that when someone in prison stopped him and told him he had just gotten pardoned, he didn't believe them. Later, a corrections officer went to his dormitory to check on him. 'And he goes, 'Are you good?' And I said, 'As good as I can be,'' he said. 'And he says, 'Todd, you just got pardoned. They sent me down here to make sure you're OK.' And I said, 'Well they don't need to be worrying about me now. Hell, if I'm pardoned, I'm great!'' The couple said they were grateful to God and Trump for reuniting them with their family. The Chrisleys portrayed themselves as hardworking, Jesus-loving real estate moguls on the hit USA Network show that ran for 10 seasons starting in 2014. But federal prosecutors said they were swindlers who began defrauding banks before they became reality-TV stars and used the ill-gotten gains to support their lavish lifestyle in suburban Atlanta. Trump was president when the Chrisleys were first indicted in 2019 and Bill Barr was the U.S. attorney general. They were convicted, along with their accountant, of bilking banks out of more than $36 million. The Chrisleys formally requested a pardon in February, when Trump was back in the White House. According to Alex Little, an attorney for the Chrisleys, they did not request a pardon from President Joe Biden, claiming to be victims of a weaponized Biden Justice Department. Little did not rule out that the Chrisleys might return to reality TV. 'Right now, their focus is reuniting as a family and spending family time together,' he said. 'They are both people who have always been in the public eye, and I wouldn't be surprised if they continue to do that.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Chrisleys spun a tale of unjust witch hunts. Reality TV fans know the truth.
Donald Trump has been called a 'reality television president' so many times by his detractors (or the detractors of reality television), it no longer feels clever. Or even much of an insult. Still he appears to be doubling down on that reputation after pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley, the stars of the long-running and shockingly popular USA Network reality show 'Chrisley Knows Best.' (USA Network is owned by NBCUniversal, MSNBC's parent company.) The couple's lawyer, Alex Little, in material he prepared for the Justice Department asking for a pardon, said their conviction 'exemplifies the weaponization of justice against conservatives and public figures, eroding basic constitutional protections.' While Little would disagree, I don't think we're looking at a witch hunt here. Indeed, as any scholar of the reality television arts and sciences will tell you, the Chrisleys are actually late to a well-established trend. 'Chrisley Knows Best' centered around Todd Chrisley, a 'flamboyant' Southern real-estate mogul who was always hounding his children and freaking out when things didn't go his way. The producers were clearly working to create a sitcomlike vibe, but less in the mold of 'Friends' and more like the old three-camera series starring men such as Jim Belushi or Kevin James as underappreciated, breadwinning heroes with inexplicably hot wives. The show ran from 2014 to 2023 and also included a separate spinoff on E! (E! is also owned by NBCUniversal.) It only ceased production because the principal characters became indisposed, and by 'indisposed' I mean that they were sent to prison. The Chrisleys, unlike their sitcom counterparts, were conspicuously wealthy rather than working class. The proud owner of a very American McMansion, they made most of their money buying, selling and flipping similar homes in suburban environments in Southern states. The lavish lifestyle, however, was not entirely legitimate. In 2022, Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Julie to seven for their involvement in a tax and mortgage fraud scheme that predates the premiere of their show in 2014. The show itself made them plenty of money, and the couple was also convicted of trying to hide that income from the IRS and skipping out on nearly $500,000 in back taxes. (Julie's conviction was vacated on appeal in 2024 after a judge decided prosecutors did not tie her specifically to the very first year of the bank-fraud scheme.) Prosecutors proved the couple had bilked Atlanta-area banks out of $36 million by applying for mortgages with fake documents, not repaying loans, and taking out false loans just to repay the old false loans. They used that money on a classic reality TV smorgasbord — designer clothes, exotic cars and flashy trips. But the self-made element of their wealth was always an important part of their brand. The other part of Todd's brand is flamboyance. His love of fashion and Botox has long made him the subject of rumors about his sexual orientation — rumors that he always shut down. His affect is sort of like if Snagglepuss and Charles Nelson Riley had a gay child through surrogacy. It was always a weird conceit that seemed to contrast with the show's more traditional 'family values' themes and fan base. Indeed, leveraging that conservative base and deploying the Trumpian language of victimhood that may have helped secure the Chrisleys their pardon. It's no coincidence that Savannah Chrisley, the couple's daughter who is featured prominently in the show, argued in prime time last summer at the Republican National Convention that her family was targeted by 'rogue prosecutors.' In reality TV fashion, the truth is less exciting. Reality television attracts extreme personalities because that is what pops on camera and connects with fans. Extreme personalities do extreme things — and that sometimes means breaking the law. The television age we're currently experiencing was arguably ushered in by the runaway success of 'Survivor' in the summer of 2000. Richard Hatch, who is gay, took home the inaugural $1 million prize. In 2006, Hatch was sentenced to 51 months in prison for not declaring his winnings to the IRS. Post prison, he appeared on 'Celebrity Apprentice.' 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Teresa Giudice was also on 'Celebrity Apprentice' in 2012 — only to be fired by Trump himself. Like the Chrisleys, she and her husband, Joe, were known for spending money freely, including dropping $120,000 on furniture in the show's pilot episode. Teresa paid in cash. In 2013, she and Joe pled guilty to mail, wire and bank fraud for taking out loans with fraudulent documents, also much like the Chrisleys. Teresa got 15 months in prison (but only served 11) and Joe served 41 months. Since the Italian-born Joe never became a naturalized citizen, he was scheduled to be deported in 2019 during Trump's first term. Teresa and Joe said they never formally asked for a pardon from the then-president, the couple's eldest daughter, Gia Giudice, set up a petition to 'request that our President, Donald J Trump review our petition and pardon my father.' The pardon never came. While Trump might have some sympathy for people who commit loan fraud, after all, a New York judge did find Trump and the Trump Organization had committed civil fraud. But he shows very little leniency for illegal immigrants. In 2022, 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Jen Shah pleaded guilty to wire fraud and is serving out a 6½ year sentence, though it's been repeatedly shortened. The estranged husband of 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Erika Jayne was convicted of fraud last summer. (She has not been accused of any involvement in the fraud and denies all wrongdoing.) Peter Thomas, who was on 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' when he was married to star Cynthia Bailey, just pleaded guilty to not paying his taxes. But Trump likely guessed he could use the Chrisleys and their story unlike, say, Jen Shah's tale of woe. This pardon sends a message to MAGA world: Yes, the deep state is out to get you and other hard-working, God-fearing Americans. Or at least it was under President Joe Biden. And the only person who can stop the injustice is President Donald J. Trump. With a swipe of his overworked pen, Trump not only freed Todd and Julie — he might have also gotten their show back on the air. This narrative, like so many of the canned storylines on 'Chrisley Knows Best' is an illusion. Not that it matters to Trump's fans. There's no nefarious plot here; that would be more interesting. Law enforcement agents aren't targeting reality TV stars, they're just following the evidence. And sometimes that evidence is beamed directly into millions of homes across America. This article was originally published on
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
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.
San Francisco Chronicle
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to know about reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who were pardoned by Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — Reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who were in prison after being convicted on federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion, were pardoned by President Donald Trump and walked free Wednesday. The couple is best known for the long-running TV series 'Chrisley Knows Best,' which followed their family and luxurious lifestyle — which prosecutors said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities. The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks in the Atlanta area out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents. The pardons signed Wednesday are the latest example of Trump, himself a former reality TV star, pardoning high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers. Here are some things to know about the Chrisleys: How they rose to fame 'Chrisley Knows Best,' which ran from 2014 to 2023, chronicled the extravagant exploits of the boisterous, tightly knit family of the couple and their five children, from high-end cars to luxury vacations to stunning mansions. It was recorded in the Atlanta area at first and then in Nashville. In 2019 the show spawned the spinoff 'Growing Up Chrisley,' which featured the couple's children Chase and Savannah living in Los Angeles. The couple's 2022 trial started just after E! announced that it was moving forward with a new dating series, 'Love Limo,' hosted by Todd Chrisley. It also came soon after USA announced the renwal of 'Chrisley Knows Best' for a 10th season, while its spinoff was renewed by E! for a fourth season. Why they were imprisoned The Chrisleys were found guilty in 2022 in Atlanta on the fraud and tax charges. Until this Wednesday they still had years left on their sentences: Julie Chrisley was expected to be released in 2028, and Todd Chrisley in 2032. At trial prosecutors detailed a laundry list of offenses that started before they became famous. The Chrisleys and a former business partner submitted false documents to banks to obtain fraudulent loans and then used new loans to pay off the old ones, prosecutors said. The couple was accused of spending lavishly on cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel. Todd Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, walking away from more than $20 million in unpaid loans, according to prosecutors. Meanwhile Julie Chrisley created false financial documents to rent a home in Los Angeles, they said, but then the couple did not pay rent on it. Once they were starring in the reality show, they operated a company that collected their income from the series and other ventures and kept the corporate bank accounts in Julie Chrisley's name to avoid collection of half a million dollars in back taxes that Todd Chrisley owed, prosecutors said. When the IRS asked for information on the accounts, they transferred ownership to Todd Chrisley's mother to try to hide his income further, according to authorities. Prosecutors also accused the couple of not filing or paying taxes for several years The Chrisleys' lawyers argued that an IRS officer gave false testimony at trial and that prosecutors lacked evidence to support convictions. A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld their convictions last year. Their daughter's work to free them Savannah Chrisley has been a staunch Trump supporter and endorsed his candidacy while also speaking about her parents in a speech at the Republican National Convention last summer. 'My family was persecuted by rogue prosecutors and Fulton County due to our public profile ... and conservative beliefs,' she said at the time. She has called the case against her parents politically motivated, though they were indicted in 2019 under a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, Byung J. 'BJay' Pak. In a social media post Wednesday, she praised U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, the Justice Department lawyer assigned to advise Trump on pardons and commutations. 'Your leadership is already changing countless lives — including mine,' she said on the social platform X. 'Thank you for standing boldly for truth, for justice, and for reuniting families like mine.' What happens next? Todd Chrisley was released from a minimum security prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, in the evening, according to Shannen Sharpe, a spokesperson for his attorney, and Julie Chrisley left a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, Sharpe said. As Savannah Chrisley waited to meet her father at his prison, she said the family was planning to do a lot of catching up. 'We're going to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, all the things,' she said, 'because we're going to make up for the lost time.' Trump said the celebrity couple had been 'given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing.'
