FRAUD: Julie and Todd Chrisley
- Yasmin Sudarsanam
- Dec 21, 2024
- 3 min read
From the glitz and glamour of reality TV to a stark prison reality, Julie and Todd Chrisley’s story is a cautionary tale of wealth, deception, and downfall. Known as the stars of the hit reality series Chrisley Knows Best, the once-celebrated couple captivated audiences with their larger-than-life personalities and extravagant lifestyle. But behind the scenes, their financial empire was crumbling under the weight of fraud, tax evasion, and deceit. This is the story of Julie and Todd Chrisley.
Michael Todd Chrisley, born and raised in South Carolina, built his fortune as a self-made real estate entrepreneur. Growing up with humble beginnings, he married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Terry, and together they had two children, Lindsie and Kyle. After their divorce, Todd married Julie Hughes in 1996, a local bank employee. Just a week after their wedding, the couple welcomed their first child together. They settled in Roswell, Georgia, raising their family in what appeared to be an idyllic Southern life.
In March 2014, the Chrisleys gained national fame with the premiere of Chrisley Knows Best, a USA Network reality show following their family’s lives. Marketed as a Southern take on the Kardashians, the show highlighted Todd’s no-nonsense parenting style, Julie’s calm demeanor, and their five children: Lindsie, Kyle, Chase, Savannah, and Grayson. It quickly became a favorite among viewers, running for ten seasons and even spawning spin-offs like Growing Up Chrisley. By May 2022, it had become the most-watched current original series on the network, averaging 1.8 million viewers per episode. Todd’s flamboyant personality and extravagant claims—like spending over $300,000 annually on clothing—helped solidify their status as reality TV royalty. Yet, beneath the surface, their financial troubles were mounting.
In 2019, the facade began to crack when Todd and Julie were indicted on federal charges of tax evasion, fraud, and conspiracy. Prosecutors alleged the couple hid millions of dollars of income through their production company, 7C's Productions, evaded nearly $2 million in state taxes between 2008 and 2016, and secured fraudulent loans to maintain their luxurious lifestyle. The couple spent lavishly on luxury cars, designer clothing, real estate, and travel while using fraudulent loans to pay off previous debts. After burning through millions, Todd filed for bankruptcy in 2012, walking away from over $20 million in fraudulent loans. Adding to their legal troubles, they failed to file tax returns from 2013 to 2016.
The most damning testimony during their 2022 trial came from their former business partner Mark Braddock, who had helped them secure over $30 million in fraudulent loans. After being fired in 2012, Braddock turned the Chrisleys in to the FBI, cooperating with prosecutors and receiving immunity in exchange for his testimony. Over the course of a three-week trial, the jury found Todd and Julie guilty on all counts, including bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. In June 2022, they were sentenced to a combined 19 years in federal prison, with Todd beginning his sentence in Pensacola, Florida, and Julie in Lexington, Kentucky.
Despite their convictions, the Chrisleys have continued to maintain their innocence, appealing their sentences and claiming they were politically targeted. In September 2023, both received sentence reductions: Todd’s release date was moved to January 2028, while Julie’s was changed to October 2028. They were also ordered to pay $17.2 million in restitution for their crimes. However, their legal battles are far from over. In January 2024, a federal judge issued a writ of garnishment for $30,000 in a trust fund linked to the couple. That same month, they won a lawsuit against a former Georgia tax official who they claimed unfairly targeted them, clearing their state tax evasion charges.
The fallout from their legal troubles has taken a toll on their family. All of their reality TV ventures, including Chrisley Knows Best and Growing Up Chrisley, were canceled following their sentencing. Their eldest daughter, Savannah, has taken on the responsibility of raising her younger brother Grayson and her niece Chloe, who was adopted by the Chrisleys in 2016. Despite the family’s challenges, Savannah announced in August 2023 that a new reality show documenting the children’s lives and their parents’ legal struggles is in development. For a family once celebrated for their lavish lifestyle and tight-knit bond, the Chrisleys’ rise and fall is a stark reminder that even the most glamorous facades can hide troubling truths. From reality TV royalty to prison inmates, Todd and Julie’s story is one of ambition, deception, and the heavy price of living beyond their means.
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