If you spent any time watching Chrisley Knows Best, you know Todd Chrisley as the meticulously groomed, sharp-tongued patriarch who seemed to have a quip for everything. But in 2022, a different kind of script emerged. One that wasn't written for USA Network. It was written in a federal courtroom in Atlanta. The man holding the pen? Mark Braddock.
Braddock wasn't just some random witness. He was a ghost from Todd’s past. A former business associate who had worked deep inside the gears of Chrisley Asset Management.
Then came the bombshell.
Sitting on the witness stand, Braddock didn't just talk about spreadsheets or bank loans. He told the jury—and the world—that he and Todd Chrisley had a year-long intimate affair in the early 2000s. Honestly, the collective gasp from the true-crime and reality TV community could probably be heard from space.
The Allegations That Changed Everything
Basically, Braddock claimed their relationship went way beyond business. He testified that the affair started in 2003 while they were both married to their respective wives. According to him, they were close. Very close. He described it as a "brotherhood" that turned physical.
But it wasn't just a story about a secret romance. Braddock used this alleged intimacy to explain why he did what he did. He admitted to the jury that he committed fraud on Todd’s behalf. Why? Because, in his words, he "would do whatever he needed to get done" for Todd.
He even described a scene straight out of a spy movie: paying off a blackmailer. Braddock claimed that an anonymous person threatened to expose their affair and their "shady" business dealings. The price of silence? $38,000. Braddock testified that he withdrew the cash in increments of $9,500 and handed it to Todd in a parking garage.
It's a lot to take in.
Todd Chrisley’s Scathing Rebuttal
Todd didn't just sit back and take it. If you know Todd, you know he hits back. Hard.
He has consistently and vehemently denied every single part of Braddock's story. On his Chrisley Confessions podcast and in interviews, he’s used his trademark humor to dismantle the claims. He famously joked that if he were going to have an affair with a man, it wouldn't be with someone who looked like Mark Braddock. He called him a "toad" and someone who "looks like a thumb."
Beyond the insults, the Chrisley defense team painted a picture of a man obsessed. They argued that Braddock was a "fraudster" who had been fired by the family in 2012. Their narrative? Braddock was a disgruntled ex-employee seeking "protection and revenge."
They pointed out something pretty glaring: where was the proof?
- No text messages.
- No emails.
- No photos.
- No travel records.
In a world where everyone leaves a digital footprint, the lack of physical evidence was the cornerstone of the Chrisleys' defense against the affair claims.
The Fraud, the Fallout, and the 2025 Pardon
While the "affair" grabbed the headlines, the trial was actually about money. Lots of it.
The government accused Todd and Julie of a massive scheme to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million. They alleged the couple used fake documents to get loans they couldn't afford, then funneled the money into a lavish lifestyle involving Bentleys, designer clothes, and $4,000 haircuts.
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Braddock was the one who originally went to the FBI. He was granted immunity for his cooperation. He admitted to creating fake documents using Microsoft Word to make the Chrisleys look richer than they were.
The jury believed the prosecution. In June 2022, Todd and Julie were convicted on all counts of bank fraud and tax evasion.
They started their sentences in January 2023. Todd was handed 12 years; Julie got seven. But then, the story took another turn. In a move that shocked many—and delighted their loyal fanbase—President Donald Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley on May 27, 2025.
They walked out of prison after serving just over two years.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Case
People tend to focus on the gossip, but the legal reality was much messier. The Chrisleys have always maintained that Braddock was the mastermind who acted without their knowledge. They even won a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia over a separate tax investigation, which they’ve used as "proof" that the government was out to get them from the start.
But the federal case was different. It relied on more than just Braddock. There were other employees who testified. There were emails—emails the prosecution said showed Todd directly praising his accountant for finding ways to "create" financial statements that met lenders' standards.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re trying to make sense of the Todd Chrisley Mark Braddock saga, it helps to look at the documents rather than the headlines. Here is how you can actually verify the facts:
- Review the Court Records: The case is USA v. Chrisley et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. You can find the sentencing memos and the 78-page court orders online which detail exactly what the jury heard.
- Listen to the "Back to Reality" Podcast: Since their release, the family has been much more vocal about the "behind the scenes" of the trial. While biased, it gives you their side of the story regarding the "missing" evidence Braddock claimed existed.
- Follow the Appellate Rulings: Even with a pardon, the legal arguments regarding "false testimony" from IRS officers (like Betty Carter) provide a fascinating look at how the Chrisleys' lawyers tried to dismantle the government's case.
The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle of a messy, decade-long business relationship. Whether the affair happened or was the work of a vengeful "obsessed" partner is something only two people truly know. For the rest of us, it remains one of the most bizarre chapters in reality TV history.
To stay informed on their current status, keep an eye on official court updates regarding their ongoing civil litigation against the state of Georgia, which remains active despite the federal pardon.