You probably remember the patriarch of the Chrisley clan as the guy who had a quip for everything and a closet that cost more than most people's houses. For years, Chrisley Knows Best was the crown jewel of USA Network. But then, the cameras stopped rolling, and the real-life drama moved from a Nashville mansion to a federal courtroom.
So, what did Todd Chrisley do?
If you ask the government, he was a "career swindler." If you ask his family, he was a victim of a "weaponized" legal system. The truth is a messy mix of fabricated bank statements, millions in fraudulent loans, and a tax evasion scheme that would make even a seasoned white-collar criminal blush.
The $36 Million Paper Trail
Long before the reality TV fame, Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, were busy building a house of cards. The core of the federal case against them revolved around a decade-long conspiracy to defraud community banks in the Atlanta area.
They didn't just exaggerate a little on their loan applications.
According to the Department of Justice, the Chrisleys—along with a former business partner—submitted fake bank statements and altered audit reports to make it look like they were swimming in cash. They used these doctored documents to secure over $30 million in personal loans.
💡 You might also like: Charlie McDermott Married Life: What Most People Get Wrong About The Middle Star
What did they do with the money? They "burned" it.
We’re talking luxury cars, designer clothes that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and expensive real estate. When the bill for one loan came due, they’d simply take out another fraudulent loan to pay off the old one. It was a classic "robbing Peter to pay Paul" scenario, but on a massive, multimillion-dollar scale. Eventually, Todd filed for bankruptcy, walking away from roughly $20 million of those debts.
Playing Hide and Seek with the IRS
While the bank fraud was happening in the background, the Chrisleys were also becoming household names. Their show was a hit. They were making millions.
But apparently, they didn't think those millions should be taxed.
Prosecutors proved that the couple used a "loan-out" company—essentially a shell corporation used by entertainers—to funnel their income. To keep the IRS from seizing Todd's money to pay off back taxes he already owed, they kept the accounts in Julie’s name.
📖 Related: Charlie Kirk's Kids: How Old They Are and What Really Happened
When the IRS started poking around Julie’s accounts?
They moved the money again, this time into an account belonging to Todd’s mother, "Nanny" Faye. Throughout the trial, evidence showed they hadn't filed tax returns or paid taxes for the years 2013 through 2016. In a move that truly defines "ironic," Todd once bragged on his radio show that he paid between $750,000 and $1 million in taxes every year.
The jury didn't buy it. In June 2022, they were convicted of:
- Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
- Bank fraud
- Tax evasion
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Julie was also hit with an extra charge of wire fraud and obstruction of justice because she allegedly submitted a fake document to a grand jury to cover their tracks.
Prison, Appeals, and the 2025 Pardon
In early 2023, the couple traded their designer suits for prison jumpsuits. Todd was sent to a minimum-security facility in Pensacola, Florida, to serve a 12-year sentence. Julie was sent to Kentucky (and later Florida) for a seven-year term.
👉 See also: Celebrities Born on September 24: Why This Specific Birthday Breeds Creative Giants
For over two years, they reportedly didn't speak a single word to each other due to prison regulations.
Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, became the face of their defense, constantly campaigning for their release and highlighting what she called "inhumane" prison conditions. While their initial appeals were largely shot down—the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions in 2024—everything changed in May 2025.
In a move that stunned the legal community, President Donald Trump granted both Todd and Julie full presidential pardons. They were released from federal custody on May 28, 2025.
Where Are They Now?
Honestly, the Chrisleys didn't waste much time getting back into the spotlight. Since their release, they've appeared on The Masked Singer (as "The Croissants") and have been vocal about their experiences behind bars.
Todd has notably toned down the political rhetoric, telling Variety in early 2026 that he doesn't want his "movements to be politicized." Despite the massive $17.8 million restitution order that was reaffirmed during their legal battles, the family appears to be attempting a full-scale media comeback.
Whether people still "know best" remains to be seen, but the legal saga that defined the last several years of their lives is technically over.
Key Takeaways for Navigating Your Own Finances
- Audit Your Own Records: The Chrisley case highlights how "paper trails" never truly disappear. Ensure your tax filings and loan applications are 100% accurate; even "small" embellishments are considered fraud.
- Understand "Loan-Out" Companies: If you are a freelancer or business owner, these structures are legal, but using them to hide assets from the IRS is a felony.
- Monitor Restitution News: While the pardons cleared their prison time, financial restitution is often a separate civil matter. Keep an eye on how the courts handle the $17 million they were ordered to pay, as this sets a precedent for how high-profile fraud cases are settled financially.