Why were Todd and Julie Chrisley convicted? Charges explored as Trump grants pardon

Trump is officially planning to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley by Wednesday. According to a report in NBC News, on Tuesday, Trump made a call to Chrisley's children from the Oval Office, in which he told them,

"Your parents are gonna be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow. Is that okay? We'll try to get it done tomorrow. I don't know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good luck."

Todd and Julie Chrisley are a real-life couple and stars of the TV show Chrisley Knows Best. The couple got into trouble for cheating on their taxes and hiding money. As per the statement given by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan about Todd and Julie,

"Over the course of a decade, the defendants defrauded banks out of tens of millions of dollars while evading payment of their federal income taxes"

In 2022, both were found guilty of their actions. Todd was sent to prison for twelve years, and Julie got seven years.

U.S. Attorney Buchanan explains the charges against Todd and Julie Chrisley

As per a report in Fox 5 Atlanta, Todd and Julie Chrisley used a company account under Julie’s name because Todd owed a large amount in back taxes. As per the record statements, when the Internal Revenue Service started looking into those accounts, they quickly moved the money to a relative’s name to avoid getting caught.

As per the statement from U.S. Attorney Buchanan and the evidence collected, the couple had earlier also cheated small banks in Atlanta. With help from a business partner, they gave fake financial papers to get over $36 million in loans. They reportedly spent it all on luxury items and lifestyle.

To cover up, they took out new fake loans to pay off the old ones. After the money ran out, Todd filed for bankruptcy and left over $20 million unpaid.

James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, said in a statement,

"The Chrisleys defrauded financial institutions and the Federal Government through tax evasion and other fraudulent means in an effort to minimize their tax liability, but project an image of wealth. This sentencing serves notice that no matter a person’s celebrity status, there are severe consequences for defrauding the American tax system."

As per the statement given on the Department of Justice website,

"After learning of the grand jury investigation, Julie Chrisley submitted a fraudulent document in response to a grand jury subpoena to make it appear that the Chrisleys had not lied to the bank when they transferred ownership of the loan-out company’s bank account to their relative."

The couple also didn’t pay their taxes for several years. To help them hide income, their accountant, Peter Tarantino, filed false tax papers saying their company had no earnings.

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Savannah Chrisley supported her parents' release through public campaigns and legal appeals.

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