The Chrisley Scandal Explained: 5 Shocking Things Todd And Julie Did—And Their Brand New Reality In 2025

The question "What did the Chrisleys do?" has been a central mystery for fans of the reality TV dynasty since 2019, but the full, shocking answer involves a multi-million dollar financial crime spree that led to federal prison sentences. As of December 18, 2025, the family's story has taken its most dramatic turn yet: both Todd and Julie Chrisley are free from prison, having been granted a presidential pardon after serving over two years of their original sentences. This latest development has completely reshaped the narrative, moving the focus from the details of their convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion to their controversial and immediate return to the public eye. The saga of the *Chrisley Knows Best* stars is a complex web of financial deception, a high-profile trial, and a political clemency that has left a permanent mark on their family legacy and substantial financial debt. The core of their downfall centers on a calculated conspiracy to defraud community banks and evade federal taxes, a scheme that the prosecution argued was designed to fund their lavish, on-screen lifestyle.

The Chrisley Family: A Legal Biography and Profile

The Chrisley family rose to fame through their USA Network reality show, *Chrisley Knows Best*, which debuted in 2014 and portrayed the lives of the wealthy, outspoken patriarch Todd Chrisley, his wife Julie, and their children.

• Todd Chrisley (Michael Todd Chrisley):
• Born: April 6, 1969 (Age 56 as of late 2025).
• Role: Real estate mogul, reality TV star, and family patriarch.
• Conviction: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion (2022).
• Sentence: Initially 12 years; released via presidential pardon (May 27, 2025).
• Net Worth: Estimated at -$18 million due to legal fees and restitution.
• Julie Chrisley (Juliette Chrisley):
• Born: January 9, 1973 (Age 52 as of late 2025).
• Role: Reality TV star and co-star of *Chrisley Knows Best*.
• Conviction: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice (2022).
• Sentence: Initially 7 years; released via presidential pardon (May 27, 2025).
• Children: Lindsie Chrisley Campbell (from Todd’s first marriage), Kyle Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, and Grayson Chrisley. The family also raised their granddaughter, Chloe Chrisley.

The Core Charges: The Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Explained

The central question—what the Chrisleys actually did—boils down to a sophisticated scheme of financial fraud and deceit that spanned nearly a decade. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia laid out a case that painted a picture of a couple living a fraudulent lifestyle financed by illegal means.

1. Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud

The most serious offenses involved defrauding community banks across the Atlanta area. The Chrisleys and their former business partner, Mark Braddock, conspired to submit false documents to banks to obtain over $30 million in personal loans. These documents included fake bank statements, altered financial records, and fabricated credit reports to inflate their net worth and make them appear far wealthier and more creditworthy than they were. When the loans went unpaid, Todd Chrisley allegedly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, attempting to shield millions of dollars in assets from creditors and the government. The jury ultimately found that this was a deliberate, long-running pattern of deception.

2. Federal Tax Evasion and Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS

Beyond the bank fraud, the couple was also found guilty of tax evasion. Prosecutors demonstrated that the Chrisleys actively conspired to hide income from the IRS. Todd Chrisley’s company, 7C’s Productions, which handled the income from *Chrisley Knows Best*, allegedly failed to file tax returns or pay federal income taxes for multiple years. The couple was accused of using the company’s bank accounts as their personal piggy bank, spending lavishly while avoiding their tax obligations.

3. Julie Chrisley's Obstruction of Justice Charge

Julie Chrisley faced an additional, separate charge of obstruction of justice. This charge stemmed from her attempts to interfere with the federal investigation into their financial activities, which the jury ultimately found her guilty of.

The Shocking Aftermath: Prison, Pardon, and Financial Ruin

The convictions led to a dramatic and rapid collapse of the Chrisley empire. The reality show was canceled, and the couple was sentenced to a combined 19 years in federal prison in November 2022 (later slightly reduced).

The Unprecedented Presidential Pardon

The most significant and recent update to the Chrisley story occurred on May 27, 2025, when President Donald Trump announced he was granting pardons to both Todd and Julie Chrisley. This decision led to their immediate release from federal prison after they had served just over two years of their sentences. The pardon effectively ended their incarceration, though the details of the clemency did not necessarily erase the underlying conviction or the massive financial penalties. Todd Chrisley was originally ordered to serve 12 years, and Julie was ordered to serve 7 years. The swift and controversial pardon brought their unexpected return to the public sphere.

The Custody Battle and Family Upheaval

While Todd and Julie were incarcerated, their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, stepped into the role of legal guardian for her younger brother, Grayson, and her niece, Chloe (Todd's granddaughter). Savannah, who has been vocal about the hardships of her parents' time in prison, documented this challenging period on her podcast, discussing the emotional and logistical struggles of raising two minors. The pardon means the parents are now home, but the transition of guardianship and the family dynamics remain a central point of interest for fans.

The Financial Fallout: A Negative Net Worth

Despite the pardon, the Chrisleys are still facing a massive financial burden. As part of their sentencing, they were ordered to pay over $17 million in restitution. The combination of massive legal fees, the restitution order, and the loss of their income streams from *Chrisley Knows Best* has left their financial status in ruins. As of late 2025, Todd Chrisley's net worth is widely reported to be in the negative, estimated at around -$18 million.

Back to Reality: The Chrisleys' Next Chapter

In a move that stunned many critics, the Chrisley family is already returning to reality television. The new series, titled *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*, is being produced by Scout Productions and is set to air on Lifetime. The show will feature the post-prison lives of Todd and Julie Chrisley, along with their children Chase, Savannah, Grayson, Chloe, and Todd's mother, Faye "Nanny Faye" Chrisley. The show's premise is expected to be a raw and unvarnished look at the family's life following the convictions, their time in prison, the dramatic pardon, and the process of rebuilding their lives under intense public scrutiny. This new venture signals the family’s intention to move past the legal scandal and re-establish their presence in the reality television landscape, using their controversial experience as the foundation for their next chapter.