Chrisley Attorney Claps Back: The Truth Behind Their Pardon Bid
I realize this might be over your head, so let me distill why Todd and Julie Chrisley’s recent pardon request has everyone gasping. Reality TV’s most infamous couple, who were convicted last year for tax evasion and bank fraud, quietly filed a petition with the Department of Justice seeking executive clemency—and as you’ve probably seen on social media, the reaction was anything but mild.
According to court documents obtained by the New York Post and confirmed by People Magazine, the Chrisleys’ lawyer, Todd Blanche, argues that his clients’ charitable work and heartfelt apologies warrant leniency. Blanche pointed out in a June filing that Todd and Julie “have engaged in substantial philanthropic efforts” since their conviction, citing donations to local charities and free appearances at youth mentoring programs. He further emphasized the couple’s status as first-time offenders and “pillars of their Tennessee community,” insisting a pardon would allow them to rebuild their lives without the shadow of a felony record.
That’s the official side, but you must have caught the backlash. Critics, including former federal prosecutors quoted in The Daily Beast, slammed the pardon bid as a blatant attempt to dodge accountability. One ex-prosecutor argued it’s “appalling” to reward high-profile offenders with a pardon while so many deserving applicants languish in bureaucratic limbo. On Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), commenters accused the Chrisleys of trying to buy their way out of trouble, with hashtags like #NoFreePass trending within hours of the news breaking.
Blanche fired back on Instagram Live, calling the detractors “ill-informed” and reminding everyone that pardons are a constitutional check on the justice system. He even shared FBI correspondence acknowledging the couple’s cooperation during the investigation—an obscure detail that helped swing some public opinion, according to TMZ.
Of course, not everyone’s convinced. Congressional watchdogs have reportedly opened an inquiry into how the pardon petition was prioritized, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers is demanding a full briefing from the Justice Department. Meanwhile, the Chrisleys are slated to appear at a Nashville charity gala next month—an event their spokesperson says is a “testament to their commitment to giving back.”
So, what’s the takeaway? Todd and Julie’s pardon fight is far from over, and every new legal brief seems to fan the flames rather than douse them. Stick around, because if there’s one thing the Chrisleys do well, it’s turning legal woes into headline-grabbing drama. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine, The Daily Beast, TMZ
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
