What Happened to the Chrisleys? How Todd and Julie Went from Reality TV to a “Nightmare” Behind Bars — And When They’ll Be Released

Mar. 15, 2025

Julie and Todd Chrisley visited Hallmark’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 18, 2018.Photo:Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Toddand Julie Chrisley went from reality television stars toconvicted felonsin less than a decade.

Chrisley Knows Bestquickly became a fan-favorite, running for 10 seasons and spawning spinoffs, includingGrowing Up Chrisley. But the road to fame and fortune for Chrisleys wasn’t without its bumps: The family experienced multipletrials and tribulationsover the years, includinga $45 million bankruptcy filingand their estrangement at times fromKyleandLindsie.

Their biggest hurdle came in 2019, however, whenTodd and Julie were indictedon federal charges of tax evasion, fraud and conspiracy. Todd and Julie werefound guilty on all countsin June 2022, and weresentenced to a combined 19 yearsin federal prison.

Thelegal drama has been “heartbreaking”for the entire Chrisley family, Chase revealed during an appearance on theChasin' Birdiespodcast in May 2023. The ordeal has been especially challenging for Todd and Julie’s eldest daughter together,Savannah, who is raisingher younger brother Grayson and her niece Chloe (whothe Chrisleys adopted in 2016) while her parents are in prison.

Who are Todd and Julie Chrisley?

Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley attend NBC Universal’s 2014 Summer TCA Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 14, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California.Mark Davis/Getty Images

Mark Davis/Getty Images

“She’s the only woman who has ever literally touched my soul,” Todd said about Julie on a March 2022 episode of their podcast,Chrisley Confessions.

The couple welcomed their first child together, Chase, a week after their nuptials. They went on to have two more children — Savannah in 1997 and Grayson in 2006 — and raised their growing family in the wealthy Atlanta suburb of Roswell.

Over the years, the duo also weathered challenges, such asJulie’s breast cancer diagnosisin 2012 andtheir ongoing estrangementfrom Todd’s oldest son, Kyle.

What are Todd and Julie Chrisley known for?

Todd and Julie Chrisley with their family, including Savannah, Chase, Kyle, Grayson and Lindsie.Tommy Garcia/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal

Todd and Julie Chrisley rose to fame as the stars of their eponymous reality show,Chrisley Knows Best, which aired on the USA Network from 2014 to 2023.

Billed as the southern version ofthe Kardashians, the series followed the over-the-top family as they lived their lavish lifestyle — first, in a 30,000-square-foot mansion in Atlanta; then, in two equally opulent Nashville homes — for 10 seasons.

Todd, who became recognized for his lively personality, sharp one-liners and no-nonsense parenting style, even claimed inan early promo for the showthat the family spends “$300,000, sometimes more, just on clothing” per year. (Behind the scenes, however, the Chrisleys were apparently in financial distress, filing for a $45 million Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2012.)

By May 2022,Chrisley Knows Bestwas the most-watched current original series on USA Network, averaging 1.8 million total viewers, according toa press release.

The popularity of the show resulted in a spinoff series,Growing Up Chrisley, thatfollowed the lives of Chase and Savannahfrom 2019 to 2022. When the first spinoff concluded, Todd was tapped to host and executive produce a speed-dating, match-making series titledLove Limofor E!, butthe show never made it to airfollowing the couple’s legal troubles.

In addition to their television ventures, Todd and Julie hosted a podcast calledChrisley Confessionsfrom 2018 to 2023.

What crimes were Todd and Julie Chrisley charged with?

Julie and Todd Chrisley attend the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 15, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada.Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Though the Georgia Department of Revenuecleared the Chrisleysof their $2 million state tax evasion charge in October 2019, their federal charges remained. The couple, whodenied any wrongdoingandpleaded not guilty to the charges, headed to trial in May 2022.

“We have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be ashamed of,” Todd wroteon Instagramin August 2019. “Not only do we know we’ve done nothing wrong, but we’ve got a ton of hard evidence and a bunch of corroborating witnesses that proves it.”

He continued, “We know that … the truth will prevail and the charges against us will be exposed for the outrageous lies they are.”

Who else was involved in Todd and Julie Chrisley’s crimes?

The Chrisleys’ accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also implicated in their alleged financial crimes. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and two counts of willfully filing false tax returns.

At trial, Tarantino’s lawyer said that his client was not a criminal but an unqualified accountant who was “in over his head” when it came to handling the Chrisleys’ finances, according toBusiness Insider. The lawyer also noted that Tarantino had “failed the CPA exam many times over 20 years.”

But the individual at the center of the federal case against Todd, Julie and Tarantino was Mark Braddock, the Chrisleys' former business partner.

“They made up documents and they lie through their teeth to get whatever they want, whenever they want it,” Assistant US Attorney Annalise Peters told the jury in her opening statement, Business Insider reported.

However, Todd’s attorney, Bruce H. Morris, blamed Braddock for impersonating Todd and committing the fraud behind the couple’s back. Todd also revealed on theirChrisley Confessionspodcast that Braddockadmitted to acting out of revengewhile testifying at their trial.

What was the verdict at Todd and Julie Chrisley’s trial?

Todd and Julie Chrisley pose for a photo together.Todd Chrisley/Instagram

Todd Chrisley/Instagram

On June 7, 2022, after a three-week trial, Todd and Julie were found guilty of bank and tax fraud.

TheChrisley Knows Beststars were convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud. Julie was also convicted of wire fraud.

The Chrisleys’ accountant, Tarantino, was also found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns, perBusiness Insider.

What were Todd and Julie Chrisley’s sentences?

A federal judge handed down the Chrisleys’ sentences in November 2022. Todd received 12 years in prison and 16 months probation, while Julie received seven years in prison plus 16 months probation.

Meanwhile, their accountant, Tarantino, was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

The former reality television starsbegan to serve their prison sentenceson Jan. 17, 2023. Todd checked in to the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, while Julie reported to the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Ky.

When will Todd and Julie Chrisley be released from prison?

Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley visit Hallmark’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 18, 2018.Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Despite initially being sentenced to a combined 19 years behind bars, the couplereceived shortened prison sentencesin September 2023.

The Chrisleys have appealed their convictions, andhired new counsel in July 2023in an attempt to reverse their prison sentences. The new legal teamargued that there was misconductthat occurred during the Chrisleys’ original trial, but the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld their convictions in June 2024.

In a turn of events,Julie’s original sentencing of 84 monthsor seven years was upheld in September 2024. A judge at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ruled that her original punishment was sufficient. Julie was also given five years of supervised release and over $4.7 million in restitution,USA Todayreported.

According toinmate records, her release date is now set for April 22, 2028.

What happened to the Chrisleys’ reality shows?

Todd and Julie on ‘Growing Up Chrisley’ with their kids Savannah and Chase plus Nanny Faye.Cythina Hicks/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Cythina Hicks/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Episodes of season 10 ofChrisley Knows Best, which were filmed before the couple went to prison,aired in February 2023.

However, in August 2023, the Chrisley familyrevealed that a new reality serieswas in the works with Scout Productions. The untitled program will reportedly follow Chase, Savannah, Grayson, Chloe and Nanny Faye in the wake of Todd and Julie’s legal troubles and subsequent prison sentences.

“The time was right to share our story,” Savannah explained. “We’re so happy to be back.”

The next spring, in March 2024, she shared an update with PEOPLE about the project. “I know a few different networks are kind of in negotiations to see where that goes,” she said. “So,we’re just kind of waitingto see where it lands.”

What is Todd and Julie Chrisley’s life like in prison?

Julie and Todd Chrisley on ‘Chrisley Knows Best.'.Bob Mahoney/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Bob Mahoney/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Todd and Julie’s life behind bars has been a “nightmare,” according to their son Chase. In a July 2023 episode of hisUnlockedpodcast, which he hosts with his sister Savannah, Chase described the allegedly “inhumane” conditions his parents were facing in prison.

“They both have no air, no air conditioning,” he claimed. “They’re both in states where it gets 100-plus degrees, and there’s no air conditioning.”

Savannah added, “I mean, air conditioning is the least of it whenever you’ve got black mold, asbestos and everything, lead-based paint, snakes.”

Todd himselfelaborated on the “filthy” conditionsin an interview on thenews showCuomoin November 2023.

Adding to the Chrisleys’ misery is theirinability to regularly communicatewith each other. The couple, who are in prisons 650 miles apart, are unable to write letters to each other and have not spoken on the phone in over a year — which has been a “really tough part” of the entire process, Savannah revealed. The pair of nearly 30 years can only communicate via email, but it’s often “delayed,” she said.

“I miss Todd so much that it hurts. I’ve never gone this long without talking to him,” Julie wrote in a letter from prison sent to Savannah.

In an effort to reduce their time apart, both Todd and Juliehave been teaching classeswhile incarcerated to shave time off their sentences, Savannah revealed in an October 2023 episode of theUnlockedpodcast.

The First Step Act (FSA) classes provide inmates with credits for “an early release.” According to Savannah, her father was teaching financial classes (“how ironic,” she noted), while her mother wasteaching a real estate course.

In October 2024, Todd’s attorney, Jay Surgent, told PEOPLE that the former reality star was removed from his job as an Assistant to the Chaplain after he was found to be “associating with inmates” who are in the prison’s Residential Drug Abuse Program.

Surgent added that Todd is no longer able to use a small office in the chapel where he did volunteer work, leaving him “very disappointed and upset that he can no longer participate in the administration of the set-up for religious services at Pensacola, which includes Christian, Jewish, and Muslim services.”

source: people.com