Todd Chrisley is a free man and, according to him, an innocent one as well.
As The Ashley told you earlier this week, Todd and wife Julie Chrisley were released from federal prison after receiving a full pardon from President Donald Trump. The former Chrisley Knows Best stars were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud crimes in June 2022, with Todd being sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and Julie receiving a seven-year sentence.
During a press conference in Nashville on Friday, Todd informed the public that although he and Julie were previously found guilty, he maintains that they did nothing wrong.
“Even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do,” he stated. “It could be you. It could be any of you.”
Todd was later asked if he had any remorse for the actions that led to his imprisonment, to which he doubled down on his claim of innocence.
“I would have remorse if it was something that I did,” he said, before seemingly confirming that Julie’s past apology for her role in their alleged crimes had been insincere.
“You’re placed in a position as a defendant to either bow down and kiss the ass of the Department of Justice and accept responsibility for things that you did not do in order to avoid a stronger sentence,” he said, referring to Julie’s statements while in court last year to appeal her sentence.
(Julie opted not to attend the press conference. The Chrisley matriarch— who is sporting a different ‘do than the platinum blond locks she went into prison with— reportedly chose to spend time with the couple’s daughter Chloe instead of joining Todd at the press conference.)
Although Todd maintains that he and Julie were wrongfully convicted in the first place, he admitted on Friday that his experience behind bars did come with some “blessings,” which have inspired him to fight for injustices in the prison system now that he is free.
“I have met some wonderful men,” Todd stated. “I have listened to some horrific stories about some things that have gone on in our system … I will continue to fight for all the guys that I dealt with and that I was blessed to be with.”
Joining Todd at the press conference was his daughter Savannah Chrisley, who was on-hand to comment on her parents’ release, as well as receive praise from her father for fighting “a long fight” for Todd and Julie’s freedom.
“I want to thank first and foremost my lord and savior because that’s who got me through it,” Todd stated, before going on to thank his daughter. “[Savannah] has fought a long fight and for any parent to see their child fight this hard, it’s a double-edged sword. It’s a blessing and then your heart breaks because your child has been placed in that position.
“ … I will always be grateful to [Savannah] from the bottom of my heart,” he added.
In addition to fighting for her parents’ release, Savannah became the guardian of both Chloe and Todd and Julie’s teenage son Grayson– who is now 19– while their parents were incarcerated.
As for Savannah, she attempted to clear up some misconceptions on Friday, insisting that she neither “paid for a pardon or slept for a pardon,” to which Todd joked, “That’s something I would do.”
“People think, ‘Oh, you’re a celebrity, you’re white, you have money,’ that we got an upper hand, and we didn’t,” Savannah claimed. “I had to fight, and I was relentless, and that’s how it happened. Finally, people listened.”
Last week, details about the Chrisley family’s new reality show were announced. The Lifetime series– currently titled The Untitled Chrisley Project– is slated to premiere later this year, presumably with Todd and Julie taking on a more active role in the series now that they are no longer incarcerated.
“We are blessed to have our family back and we’re blessed to be coming back to television,” Todd stated on Friday. “Because we do have a much bigger story to tell now.”
Todd and Julie’s son Chase Chrisley described the emotional moment that his parents reunited after not being able to see each other while they were in the big house.
“They both just burst into tears and my dad wrapped his arms around my mom. And I don’t think he’s let go,” Chase told Entertainment Tonight. “And I don’t think he’ll ever let go.”
RELATED STORY: Todd & Julie Chrisley Have Been Pardoned by President Donald Trump; Reality TV Stars to Be Released from Prison
(Photos: USA Network; Instagram)
14 Responses
The only reason they’re out is because their daughter kissed the orange man’s ass and paid some big bucks.
How are they innocent when the feds proved their case.
If you research it, he’s right- they were falsely accused- it was just a vindictive move by a handful of people. Sick. This is why Alice Johnson moved in to help them.
No they weren’t the federal government had to investigate because it was tax fraud.
If you investigate?? LOL there was an actual investigation done by people using more than just their “Google skills” to read articles. They were found guilty because there was actual evidence of their fraud.
Why did Trump’s DOJ falsely accuse them?
So that $36 million was what? Rightfully theirs? Grifters.
I think someone needs to educate the son on what “jacked” means. Cos that man is not it 🤣
savanah fought in a way people without money cannot—who has money to do the traveling she did and schmoozing???
his spanx shows under his shirt–hahaha—he is so vain he wouldn’t even let them get his pic until his hair and botox was done!!! and they are already filming a new reality show!!! hope it tanks!!!
I’m glad the kids have their parents back. They have paid a more significant price than the parents, even if they had served the complete sentences given to Todd and Julie. However, Todd’s behavior here demonstrates precisely why he should not have been released.
Sure Jan… And if o j was still alive, he would be one of the prospective popes🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄.. You are found guilty by a jury of your peers who saw the evidence and put two and two together. You’re nothing more than lucky that the US has a felon for a president
The fact people are totally fine with these mf being released is so moronic. They don’t even have to pay back all that $ now, thanks to their great orange leader. Fucking clowns.
Uh huh