President Donald Trump has made headlines by granting full pardons to reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. The news was revealed by White House communications advisor Margo Martin, who shared a video on X showing Trump on the phone with the couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, delivering the news of their pardon.
In the video, Trump expressed his sympathy for the Chrisleys, stating, “It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean.” He also promised to expedite the pardon process, saying, “We’ll try getting it done tomorrow. I don’t know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good life.”
The President went on to criticize the treatment that Todd and Julie Chrisley received for their crimes, describing it as “a pretty harsh treatment.” Todd was facing a 12-year prison sentence, while Julie was sentenced to serve seven years. The couple was accused of falsifying documents to defraud Atlanta banks of over $30 million through fraudulent loans. Additionally, they were found to have hidden millions of dollars from the IRS, which they had earned from their reality show “Chrisley Knows Best.”
Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also implicated in the scheme and was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiring to defraud the IRS and filing false tax returns. As of now, it is unclear whether a pardon for Tarantino is being considered.
The Chrisleys had been seeking a pardon from Trump since February, and their attorney had confirmed that the President was “seriously” considering granting them clemency. With the recent announcement of their full pardon, Todd and Julie Chrisley can now look forward to a fresh start and put their legal troubles behind them.
