The Shocking Truth: What Did Todd Chrisley Do? From Reality Star To Pardoned Convict

The question "What did Todd Chrisley do?" has dominated pop culture headlines for years, transforming the patriarch of the hit reality show Chrisley Knows Best from a beloved southern millionaire into a convicted federal felon. The full scope of his financial crimes, which involved a complex web of bank fraud and tax evasion, led to a lengthy prison sentence for both Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley. However, the saga took a dramatic and unexpected turn in May 2025, when a controversial presidential pardon secured their immediate release from federal custody, bringing an abrupt end to their time behind bars and sparking a new wave of public debate.

As of today, December 18, 2025, the Chrisley family is navigating life outside of prison, but the legal and financial fallout from their actions remains a significant part of their story. This article breaks down the financial schemes that led to their downfall, the harsh realities of their conviction and sentencing, and the political decision that granted the reality television stars an early freedom.

Todd Chrisley: A Brief Biography and Career Timeline

Michael Todd Chrisley, known simply as Todd Chrisley, built his brand on the image of a successful, self-made real estate mogul and a loving, if overbearing, family man. His public persona was meticulously crafted through his media appearances.

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• Full Name: Michael Todd Chrisley
• Born: April 6, 1969
• Hometown: Westminster, South Carolina
• Primary Career: Real-Estate Entrepreneur, Media Personality, Television Producer.
• Rise to Fame: Chrisley became a household name as the patriarch of the reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, which premiered on the USA Network in 2014. The show followed the affluent lifestyle and comedic dynamics of the Chrisley family in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Spouse: Julie Chrisley (married 1996)
• Children: Lindsie Chrisley, Kyle Chrisley (from a previous marriage), Savannah Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, and Grayson Chrisley (with Julie Chrisley).
• Legal Trouble Begins: The family's legal troubles first became public in 2019 when they were indicted on federal charges.
• Conviction: Found guilty on all counts in June 2022.

The Financial Crimes: How Todd Chrisley Defrauded Banks and Evaded Taxes

The core of the federal case against Todd and Julie Chrisley centered on a sophisticated scheme to defraud community banks across the Atlanta area and evade federal taxes. The charges were serious and spanned nearly a decade, well before their reality show fame made them a national sensation.

The Bank Fraud Conspiracy

The Chrisleys were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of millions of dollars. The scheme involved inflating their net worth and submitting false documents to secure more than $30 million in personal and business loans.

• Inflated Assets: Todd Chrisley and his wife fabricated financial statements, making it appear they had millions of dollars in assets, when in reality, they had little to no money.
• Fake Documents: Evidence presented in court showed that the Chrisleys submitted fake bank statements and other fraudulent documents to loan officers to qualify for loans they otherwise would not have received.
• Loan Default: After securing the massive loans, the couple defaulted on their payments, leaving the banks with significant losses.

Tax Evasion and Conspiracy

In addition to bank fraud, the couple was convicted of tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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• Hiding Income: The prosecution proved that the Chrisleys actively concealed millions of dollars in income generated from their reality television show, Chrisley Knows Best, and other business ventures.
• Obstruction: They conspired to obstruct justice by creating a new corporation to hide the show's income from the IRS, preventing the agency from collecting past-due taxes.

Following a three-week-long federal trial, a jury in Atlanta found both Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty on all counts in June 2022.

The Conviction, Sentencing, and The Controversial Pardon of May 2025

The conviction had immediate and devastating consequences for the Chrisley family and their media empire. The show Chrisley Knows Best was canceled, and the family faced the reality of federal prison time and massive financial penalties.

The Prison Sentences and Restitution

In November 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced to multi-year terms in federal prison. Todd was originally sentenced to 12 years (144 months) and Julie to seven years. Todd was incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, and Julie at Federal Medical Center Lexington.

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Critically, the judge also ordered them to pay over $17 million in restitution. This monumental financial penalty remains a legal obligation despite their early release, ensuring that the victims of their fraud are compensated.

The Presidential Pardon and Early Release

The most recent and significant development in the Chrisley saga occurred in May 2025. After serving approximately two and a half years of their sentences, Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from federal custody.

The release followed a full presidential pardon issued by President Donald Trump on May 28, 2025. This act of clemency, which was part of a larger list of pardons and commutations, immediately ended their incarceration.

• Date of Pardon: May 28, 2025.
• Impact: The pardon fully absolved them of the federal prison time remaining on their sentences.
• Controversy: The decision to pardon the reality TV stars, who were convicted of serious financial crimes against banks and the government, sparked widespread debate about the use of presidential clemency.

Upon their release, the couple immediately returned home, with their children, including Savannah Chrisley and Chase Chrisley, publicly celebrating their return. The family has since begun to detail their time in prison and life after the pardon in various media appearances.

The Aftermath: Life After Conviction and Pardon

While the prison gates are now behind them, the Chrisleys face a new reality defined by their convictions and the ongoing need to satisfy their financial obligations. The pardon did not erase the $17 million restitution order, nor did it overturn the jury's guilty verdict on the wire fraud and conspiracy charges.

The family's public narrative has shifted from reality television to a focus on prison reform and the legal system. Savannah Chrisley, in particular, became the most vocal advocate during her parents' incarceration, frequently discussing the harsh conditions of the federal prison system and her parents' struggle. This new focus on social justice and reform has become a central theme in their post-prison public life.

The story of Todd Chrisley is a cautionary tale of the high cost of financial deception, illustrating how the pursuit of the American Dream, fueled by fraud, can lead to a spectacular public downfall. His actions—conspiring to commit bank fraud and tax evasion—not only cost him his freedom but also resulted in a permanent shift in his public identity, forever linking his name to the most significant celebrity white-collar crime of the decade.