Todd and Julie Chrisley Receive $1 Million Settlement Amid Legal Battle
Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley have received a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia, resolving their 2019 federal lawsuit against Joshua Waites, the former Director of Special Investigations at the state’s Department of Revenue. The lawsuit accused Waites of specifically targeting the Chrisley family in their state tax evasion charge.
The couple’s attorney, Alex Little, stated that the settlement is an encouraging sign, emphasizing the unusual nature of the criminal case against the Chrisleys. Little mentioned that it is nearly unprecedented for one arm of the government to pay money to defendants while another arm is fighting to keep them in jail.
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The legal battle began when Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their involvement in a reality TV series, were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2019 for 12 counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy. They have consistently denied the charges. The lawsuit against Waites claimed that the former director abused his office and violated the rights of innocent citizens for personal gain and publicity.
Despite being cleared of the state tax evasion charge in Georgia, the Chrisleys began serving their respective prison sentences on January 17, 2023. The couple’s original sentences were later reduced in September 2023. Their attorneys noted that an appeal of their criminal convictions is scheduled to be heard by the federal appeals court in Atlanta in April.
