The White House stated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is poised to grant pardons to reality television figures Julie and Todd Chrisley, the couple known for their starring roles in “Chrisley Knows Best,” a reality television program charting their family’s life and lavish lifestyle.
In 2022, the jury found the Chrisleys guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks of more than $30 million through fraudulent loans. Furthermore, they were found guilty of tax evasion. In an announcement on social media on Tuesday, the White House relayed that Trump had contacted the Chrisley family to inform them of his intention to grant full pardons.
Reports indicate that the Chrisleys were found guilty of evading taxes by concealing their earnings, despite maintaining a costly lifestyle that included luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate, and travel. Prosecutors also reported that Todd Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, leaving more than $20 million in unpaid loans in his wake.
The significance becomes clear when we consider the sentences initially handed down to the couple. Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, while Todd Chrisley received a 12-year sentence. In addition to their prison sentences, the couple was ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.
Yet, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions last summer but identified a legal error in how the trial judge had calculated Julie Chrisley’s sentence, holding her accountable for the entire bank fraud scheme. Consequently, the case was returned to the lower court for resentencing.
This raises important questions about the role of the presidential pardon in the American judicial system and the implications of high-profile figures receiving such grace. While the pardon provides a path forward for the Chrisley family, the broader societal and legal ramifications remain to be seen.