On May 28, 2025, reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from their respective prisons after President Donald Trump pardoned the couple for federal felony fraud convictions. The Chrisleys (and their accountant) had been convicted by a federal jury on multiple counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax evasion in 2022. The accountant had received a three-year sentence and was released in January. He did not receive a pardon.
A Refresher on Pardons
The presidential power to grant pardons and reprieves is enshrined in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. The president is able to issue pardons, amnesties, clemencies, reprieves, or an order to remit restitution for federal offenses. A pardon doesn't remove the offense from the convicted person's record, but it restores their civil rights and, if applicable, ends any prison sentence they're serving.
All pardon requests are supposed to go through the Office of the Pardon Attorney, which makes recommendations to the president. The final decision on which people receive clemency is up to the president, who is under no obligation to act on the advice of the Office.
Why Were the Chrisleys Pardoned?
Todd and Julie Chrisley were successful realtors before becoming the stars of the reality show "Chrisley Knows Best." Based on their family experiences and extravagant lifestyle, it ran for nine-plus seasons before running into a bit of an issue — namely, the convictions of Todd and Julie.
The Chrisleys, along with their accountant, were convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax evasion on June 7, 2022, by a federal jury. In addition to neither filing nor paying taxes for four straight years, they lied on bank documents to obtain $30 million in loans that they never intended to pay back. Todd was sentenced to 12 years, while Julie received a seven-year sentence. Their appeal was denied in 2024, albeit with an error in Julie's sentencing to be addressed in the lower court.
Savannah Chrisley, Todd and Julie's daughter, spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention and is an ardent supporter of President Trump. According to the Chrisleys' lawyer, Alex Little, Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile, and this was the reason for their pardon.
Their daughter Savannah worked feverishly at pleading for clemency from Trump. In a phone call alerting her to his intent to grant her parents' pardons, Trump claimed her parents were victims of political bias and stated that "you guys don't look like terrorists," according to Savannah.
Related Resources
- What Do the Courts Consider in a Conspiracy Case? (FindLaw's Criminal Law)
- Wire Fraud (FindLaw's Criminal Charges)
- What Is the Unitary Executive Theory? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
