Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley just scored a $1 million settlement in a lawsuit. And their attorney explained what it means for the imprisoned Chrisley Knows Best stars.
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Find out why the successful lawsuit claimed misconduct in the investigation against Todd and Julie. And discover the significance for their April court hearing below.
Todd Chrisley And Julie Score $1 Million Lawsuit Settlement
Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley just won a legal battle that alleged misconduct in the investigation against the Chrisley Knows Best stars. And the couple’s lawyer described the the settlement as “an encouraging sign” via People.
The lawsuit victory comes as Julie and Todd look forward to appealing their criminal convictions in a courtroom in April.
However, the Chrisley Knows Best stars remain in prison despite their legal victory. And the upcoming appeal will focus on their alleged multimillion dollar bank fraud and tax evasion scheme.
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The $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia relates to Julie’s and Todd’s 2019 federal lawsuit against Joshua Waites, the former Director of Special Investigations of the state’s Department of Revenue. And in the wake of the ruling, the Chrisley family attorney offered his analysis of what it means for the imprisoned reality TV stars.
Chrisley Attorney Views Settlement as ‘Encouraging Sign’
After receiving the news about the settlement, a lawyer representing Todd and Julie spoke out. “We have been saying for months that the criminal case against the Chrisleys was highly unusual and had real problems,” stated Alex Little of Burr & Forman LLP. And he added, “This settlement is an encouraging sign. It’s nearly unprecedented for one arm of the government to pay money to defendants when another arm is fighting to keep them in jail.”
The lawsuit results from Todd and Julie learning that they were cleared of their state tax evasion charge in Georgia. As a result, the Chrisley Knows Best stars made their legal move against Waites. And they claimed he “specifically” targeted the reality TV stars in the state tax evasion charge.
But the lawsuit included attorney Michael J. Bowers claiming that Waites’ charges against Todd, 54, and Julie, 51, represented “a shocking example of how an out-of-control public servant can abuse his office.” And Bowers also alleged that Waites violated “the rights of innocent citizens for reasons that have more to do with securing publicity and money for his office than with enforcing the law.”
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Chrisley Clan Claims ‘Personal And Financial Hardship’
However, the lawsuit also alleges that several years ago, Waites “began to focus his efforts and desire” on the Chrisley family, especially Todd and his daughter Lindsie. And the Chrisley clan claimed that Waites targeted Lindise, 34, to get details about the family from her. He then allegedly shared confidential tax details with Lindsie.
“Ultimately Waites’s efforts failed,” states the lawsuit. “But in the process, the Chrisleys were forced to incur substantial personal and financial hardship.” However, the state tax evasion case’s clearance didn’t save Todd and Julie from prison.
And a federal grand jury ruled the Chrisley Knows Best stars guilty in August 2019 for 12 counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy.
Despite proclaiming their innocence, Todd and Julie started their respective prison sentences on Jan. 17, 2023. And Todd will receive his freedom on Jan. 22, 2033, from the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola. However, Julie will step back into the world earlier, on Oct. 19, 2028. But the couple hope for freedom sooner when they appeal their criminal convictions in court in April.
Tell us what you think. How do you feel about Todd and Julie winning such a huge amount of money in the lawsuit settlement? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more reality TV news.
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