President Trump pardons the Chrisleys for bank fraud over $30 million
President Donald Trump confirmed the move in a video, noting that this pardon will offer the Chrisleys a “fresh start.”
Todd and Julie Chrisley, former reality TV show stars, had been pardoned by President Donald Trump. They were found guilty in June 2022 on federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. Last Tuesday, Margo Martin, Trump's assessor, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the president calling Savannah Chrisley, the daughter of the couple, to confirm the measure.
"It's a terrible thing. But it's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clear, and hopefully, we'll be able to do that tomorrow," said Donald Trump in the video. Chrisley's daughter also posted an Instagram video celebrating the news. Savannah emphasized the "fresh start" that her parents are going to get due to the presidential pardon.
Why were the Chrisleys sentenced?
Todd and Julie were TV reality stars back in 2014. The show was around their family issues, work life, and even their romantic relationships. Despite their fame, the couple was found guilty in June 2022 of bank fraud and tax evasion. According to the prosecutors, the couple presented false documents in order to get the bank's loans. They also alleged that Julie, when she was trying to rent a house in California, submitted a false credit report and fake bank statements.
The sentence, given to them in November 2022, was originally 12 and seven years in prison, respectively. They also must pay $17 million in restitution to the banks. Of that money, in 2024, a federal judge ordered them to turn over $30,000 that was held in a trust fund in Alabama. Todd was convicted at Florida's Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, while Julie was at Kentucky's Federal Medical Center in Lexington.
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When will the Chrisleys be released?
According to the social media post, the pardon has already been signed, and they are going to be released at some point during the next days. However, Scott Taylor, spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, declared to CNN about the release process, saying that it "could be immediate or take a couple of days, depending on the type of pardon and the arrangements necessary to move the person from the facility to his or her place of residence, including the purchase of bus or airline tickets."
Savannah Chrisley was close to the President's campaign; she was part of his Team Trump Women's Tour, led by Lara Trump. Lara also hosts a Fox News program, where recently, Savannah was invited to talk about her parents' situation. Chrisley also spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last July. On that occasion, she appealed to Trump's administration for pardons for her parents.
