The public life of reality television personality Todd Chrisley, who is renowned for his depiction of affluence on USA Network’s “Chrisley Knows Best,” has once again come under intense scrutiny following his release from federal prison. As the Chrisley family embarks on a new chapter after receiving a presidential pardon, past allegations and newly – emerged controversies involving prison conduct and family disputes have resurfaced, presenting a complex portrait of a man who has consistently been in the legal spotlight.
For years, Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, have cultivated an image of affluence, welcoming viewers into their opulent lifestyle. However, this facade started to crumble when federal authorities disclosed a pattern of dishonest financial transactions. In November 2022, the couple was handed a combined 19 – year prison sentence for bank fraud and other financial crimes, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
Their conviction originated from a federal criminal case in Atlanta, where they, along with their accountant, Peter Tarantino, faced charges. Prosecutors claimed that the Chrisleys had orchestrated a scheme to defraud community banks of more than $30 million by means of falsified documents, exaggerating their financial situation to obtain loans. They were also accused of hiding income from their reality show to evade federal taxes, channeling Todd’s earnings into accounts under Julie’s name to mislead the IRS.
The federal jury rendered a guilty verdict on all counts in June 2022, validating the prosecution’s assertions of fraud and tax evasion. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven – year sentence. Apart from incarceration, the court ordered them to serve a period of supervised release and pay over $17.2 million in restitution. Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, also received a prison sentence for his complicity.
Prior to their recent release, the Chrisleys lodged an appeal with the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Their legal representatives asserted that an IRS officer had offered false testimony, which prosecutors had allegedly neglected to rectify, and contended that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the charge of tax evasion. They also maintained that Julie Chrisley had played a minimal role in the bank fraud, declaring that she did not participate until 2007.
In June 2024, the appellate court upheld the convictions of both Todd and Julie Chrisley, as well as their accountant. However, the court detected a computational error in Julie Chrisley’s sentence, determining that she had been incorrectly held accountable for the entire fraud scheme when the evidence merely supported her involvement from 2007. Consequently, Julie Chrisley’s seven – year sentence was annulled, and her case was remanded to the district court for resentencing, while Todd Chrisley’s 12 – year sentence was affirmed at that juncture.
Notwithstanding the appellate court’s ruling, a more momentous development occurred when President Donald Trump issued pardons to both Todd and Julie Chrisley. This news, which was conveyed to their children on May 27, resulted in their release from prison on May 28. Savannah Chrisley, their daughter, expressed her elation in a video, stating, “Both my parents are returning home tonight or tomorrow. I still cannot believe it is real,” and adding that her parents “are able to start their lives anew.”
Savannah had actively campaigned for her parents’ release, collaborating with “Presidential pardon czar” Alice Marie Johnson and delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention. This advocacy reached its climax with the unexpected clemency from the President, enabling the Chrisleys to return home far earlier than their original sentences required.
However, the family’s legal predicaments extend beyond their financial offences. New and grave allegations have emerged, originating from Todd Chrisley’s past interactions and public image. His unrestrained remarks and ostentatious “Southern gentleman” persona, which once endeared him to the audience of “Chrisley Knows Best”, are now at the core of fresh controversy.
Alexus “Lexi” Whilby, the ex – wife of Kyle Chrisley, has put forward claims that could have significantly undermined Todd’s public reputation much earlier had they been widely disseminated. Whilby, who divorced Kyle in 2018, asserts that Todd threatened her for collaborating with the Georgia Department of Revenue during its tax evasion investigation into him.
She claims to be in possession of potential evidence, including threatening voicemails. According to the Daily Mail, one such recording allegedly contains Todd stating, “You do not require protection; you require an attorney. Contact your brothers and inquire about that spurious trust you possess, which contains $100 million, as I intend to claim a portion of it.”
Whilby previously disclosed to the Daily Mail that Kyle regretted his cooperation against his father and had intended to retract his allegations of misconduct. She stated, “I was under duress to do the same, and when I refused, that was when he [Todd] lost his temper.” These alleged threats materialized after Kyle and Alexus both cooperated with the Georgia Department of Revenue in 2017, providing evidence of Todd’s financial crimes.
Further back, even prior to the 2017 investigation, Todd Chrisley had publicly denounced Whilby on social media. A particularly egregious racist attack from 2015 remains undated on Twitter, reading, in part, “Bye you tired a** weave – wearing ashy – skinned HO.” In an interview with Hollywood Life, Whilby disclosed that Kyle informed her that Todd opposed their marriage on account of her being Black.
Whilby expounded on the long – term impact of these remarks, stating to the Daily Mail, “I endured the bullying comments in silence for years, but Karma intervened so that I didn’t have to.” These allegations present a stark contrast to the family – friendly image projected on television.
Todd Chrisley, in response, leveled his own accusations against Alexus Whilby in 2014, taking to Twitter to accuse her of extortion. He asserted that Whilby demanded $20,000 from the Chrisleys to prevent her from publicizing claims that the family was racist, and he threatened to take legal action against her. Whilby has consistently refuted these allegations, informing the Daily Mail that she never made such demands and that Todd never initiated legal proceedings.
Subsequent social media posts perpetuated the public feud. The following year, Todd tweeted, “Alexus Whilby, stop being silly, you fame – seeking w****. You can’t count high enough to reach me.” During interactions with his followers, Todd further alleged that Whilby was dissatisfied with the family’s reconciliation with Kyle Chrisley’s first wife, Angela Johnson, with whom Kyle shares a child, Chloe Chrisley. Todd and Julie subsequently adopted Chloe.
Whilby incorporated Chloe into her discussion with the Daily Mail regarding the racist behavior she claimed to have witnessed from Todd. She declared, “To witness a grown man and public figure, who is the grandfather of a beautiful Black child, make those horrendous remarks was shocking.” Her testimony underscores the deeply personal nature of the conflict and the impact of Todd Chrisley’s alleged remarks.
The antagonism reportedly spilled over into legal proceedings. Alexus Whilby claims that Todd Chrisley was so vindictive that he attacked her from the witness stand in 2020 during a court battle with Kyle Chrisley over their post – divorce financial arrangements. Whilby recounted, “The judge actually requested him to step down from the stand because it was a full – scale attack on me.”
Despite incurring substantial legal expenses, Whilby asserts that her primary motivation is not financial gain. She expressed to Hollywood Life, “I would like an apology for the hurtful remarks made on public broadcasts about me and for his attempts to undermine me.” However, she pessimistically forecasts that such an apology will not be forthcoming from Todd Chrisley.
While Whilby has publicly stated that she has forgiven the Chrisley family, she firmly believes that the combined 19 – year prison sentences of Todd and Julie Chrisley were inadequate for their crimes. She vividly characterized them as “the modern – day Bonnie and Clyde,” emphasizing her view of the gravity of their actions.
Adding to the recent developments, Todd Chrisley reportedly lost his position as a chaplain’s assistant at the Florida prison where he was serving his sentence. His attorney, Jay Surgent, informed People that Chrisley’s dismissal from the Pensacola facility followed observations of him “associating with inmates” involved in the prison’s Residential Drug Abuse Program.
Surgent expressed astonishment at the abrupt termination, noting that the prison chaplain had consistently been satisfied with Chrisley’s services during his two – year tenure in the role. The attorney told Us Weekly, “For no discernible reason after all this time, he’s dismissed, saying he can’t do it anymore,” further emphasizing that his client was unaware of any wrongdoing and that there was “no hearing, no announcement.”
A representative for the Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the matter, citing privacy considerations. They stated to TMZ, “For privacy reasons, we do not comment on the conditions of confinement for any incarcerated individual, including their work detail assignments.”
Savannah Chrisley had previously spoken with pride regarding her father’s role in the chapel, expressing her conviction that God had positioned him there to “truly make a difference.” On her podcast in 2023, she remarked on how “remarkable” it was to hear about “all the individuals who are coming to know Jesus in that place.” Todd Chrisley, though “extremely disheartened and aggrieved” by the dismissal, reportedly holds a steadfast belief that “God will resolve matters for him, Julie, and his family.”
The Chrisley family’s legal odyssey has been protracted and tumultuous. Their initial predicaments emerged in March 2017 when Todd Chrisley became the subject of a state investigation in Georgia for failing to remit income taxes for several years. This was succeeded by a federal indictment in August 2019, which charged Todd and Julie Chrisley, along with Peter Tarantino, with 12 counts, encompassing wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Despite Todd Chrisley’s public declarations of innocence at the time, stating that they had “nothing to conceal and had done nothing to be ashamed of,” the legal proceedings persisted. In October 2019, the couple settled their Georgia state tax – evasion charge, consenting to pay over $147,000 to the Georgia Department of Revenue and even obtaining a refund for certain tax years. However, the federal indictment remained a substantial obstacle.
Following their conviction and sentencing in November 2022, both Todd and Julie Chrisley reported to their respective prisons in January 2023. Todd commenced his sentence at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, while Julie was admitted to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky. Savannah Chrisley offered updates on their incarceration, highlighting her father’s emphasis on religion and her mother’s endeavors to remain occupied with friends and church.
The circumstances surrounding their incarceration also emerged as a matter of public concern. In July 2023, Chase Chrisley, their son, narrated his visit to his parents and noted observing “inhumane conditions,” encompassing the absence of air conditioning amid 100 – degree heat. Savannah Chrisley related that her mother’s prison even had “venomous snakes” slithering in proximity to her bed, which were purportedly subdued by using mace on them.
In September 2023, a ray of hope emerged when both Todd and Julie Chrisley were granted sentence reductions by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Todd’s sentence was curtailed by two years, setting his release date for January 22, 2033, while Julie’s was abbreviated by 14 months, moving her release date to October 19, 2028. This offered a substantial, albeit temporary, respite prior to their eventual pardons.
The Chrisleys are now confronted with substantial financial challenges in the wake of their legal disputes. An unnamed source close to the matter has asserted to RadarOnline that the couple is grappling with “catastrophic” and exorbitant legal fees. Savannah Chrisley herself is reported to have incurred significant expenses while advocating for her parents’ release, with the source stating, “There is no doubt that she has accumulated a substantial list of expenses on her parents’ behalf.”
Beyond legal costs, the Chrisleys were mandated to pay over $17 million in restitution. Although it was reported in 2022 that they would be required to sell homes and assets to settle this debt, it remains ambiguous whether these obligations have been nullified following their pardons. Their legal team, including attorney Jay Surgent, persisted in working on their behalf throughout their incarceration, preparing appeals and issuing public updates, and Surgent has since witnessed a surge in requests for his services.
Amid these financial uncertainties, the family is poised to make a return to television. Lifetime has commissioned a new show starring the Chrisleys, which is slated to air later this year as part of the 2025 TV lineup. However, the source cautioned that any proceeds from this new endeavor would be “far from the mega millions they require to attain financial solvency,” indicating that their financial recuperation will be a protracted struggle.
Savannah Chrisley remains a vocal proponent for her parents and criminal justice reform, even subsequent to their pardon. She has publicly lambasted the federal justice system on her “Unlocked” podcast and at the Republican National Convention. She had previously expressed her conviction that God placed her father in prison to “truly effect a change,” speaking highly of his work in the chapel.
However, Savannah’s recent accusations against a prison warden have ignited further controversy. She alleged on social media that a warden “harbors a deep – seated dislike” for her due to her exposure of prison abuses, resulting in retaliation where inmates allegedly lost privileges such as commissary access and visitation rights. Savannah maintained that inmates encouraged her to persist, vowing to reveal sanitized audio and instances of neglect, and she resolutely refused to retreat.
Public response to Savannah’s ongoing activism has been a mixed bag, with some followers on Reddit voicing concern that her actions might inadvertently bring more harm to her father. Comments varied from “Savannah is an unwise young woman. Full stop. So unwise that she keeps speaking without considering the consequences” to “This woman is going to act recklessly and have Todd imprisoned for life.” These reactions underscore the tension between her advocacy and the potential fallout for her family.
Todd Chrisley delivered his first public remarks since his release at a press conference held in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 30, 2025, accompanied by Savannah and his attorney. He expressed his gratitude to the Trump administration and his family’s supporters, stating, “I want to express my thanks to every individual who has prayed for us, who has persisted in the struggle, and who has fought for the truth to emerge.”
Despite his convictions, Todd Chrisley upheld his innocence, asserting, “I was convicted of an offense I did not commit.” Savannah Chrisley echoed this sentiment, explaining her unwavering support: “If I believed that my parents had done precisely what they were accused of doing, then yes, there would be consequences for it. Do I think the consequence should have been 12 years? No, I do not. That would not even be a fair sentence if it were true. But I know in the depths of my heart that it was not true.”
Both Todd and Savannah Chrisley have vowed to utilize their public platform to advocate for criminal justice reform. Todd Chrisley spoke fervently about refusing to succumb to shame, declaring, “I understand the stigma associated with [incarceration], but I refuse to indulge in it, because shame is like a cancer that merely spreads, and I harbor no shame.” He further pledged to continue fighting for the inmates he encountered and to “expose the injustices that occur there and throughout the [U.S. Department of Justice] and throughout the Bureau of Prisons.”
Reflecting on his return home, Todd Chrisley described the surreal experience of his first morning out of prison: “I awoke on the first morning and looked around. I thought, ‘This is truly real. I am home.'” He expressed profound gratitude for his family’s reunion, sharing meals, and praying together, affirming that “we are still in the fight.” He emphasized the blessing of having their family back and of returning to television, stating that they “do indeed have a much more significant story to tell now than we ever have.”
The Chrisley family saga continues to unfold, characterized by a complex interplay of legal battles, personal vindication through a presidential pardon, and persistent allegations from their past. As Todd and Julie Chrisley navigate their reintegration into society and the public eye, their story remains a compelling testament to the enduring consequences of their highly publicized legal troubles and their stated commitment to fighting for broader justice reform. The next chapter promises to be as eventful as the last, with their narrative continuing to capture public attention.
