Todd and Julie Chrisley are taking legal action against the attorneys they blame for their criminal convictions, filing a $25 million lawsuit this week against Christopher Anulewicz and his former firm, Balch & Bingham.
The reality television couple, known for the USA Network series "Chrisley Knows Best," were convicted in 2022 on federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Julie to seven years. President Trump pardoned them last year, freeing them before they could serve over a decade combined behind bars.
In their lawsuit, the Chrisleys contend that Anulewicz lacked meaningful criminal defense experience and took their case primarily for the publicity and high-profile exposure it offered. They argue he bungled a critical procedural step by failing to file a timely motion to suppress evidence obtained during a 2017 Georgia Department of Revenue search of their warehouse, which they characterize as illegal.
That single misstep, the lawsuit claims, cascaded into catastrophic consequences. "They served time in federal prison. They were separated from each other and from their children," the filing states. Beyond incarceration, the couple lost their television show and endorsement deals, the suit alleges, costing them more than $25 million in lost income. "Their reputations were destroyed," the lawsuit reads.
The Chrisleys are demanding $25 million in compensation plus attorney's fees. Patrick O'Connor, representing Anulewicz, said his client had not been formally served with the lawsuit as of Monday afternoon and declined to comment on the pending case. Balch & Bingham, through a spokesperson, said the firm would "vigorously defend" against the complaint but could not elaborate on pending litigation.
Court documents show that Anulewicz holds nearly 30 years of experience in civil and white collar criminal business matters and was recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America" in 2021 and as one of Georgia's Super Lawyers from 2014 through 2026, according to his professional biography.
The Chrisleys faced prosecution in 2019 after federal prosecutors accused them of defrauding banks out of more than $36 million before they became television stars in 2014. Prosecutors alleged the couple used the fraudulently obtained money to finance a lavish lifestyle in suburban Atlanta while their show portrayed them as hardworking, faith-driven real estate moguls.
The couple's release from federal custody last year marked a dramatic reversal of fortune. Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, had lobbied heavily for a presidential pardon, even speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention where she claimed her parents were targeted due to their politics and celebrity status. Since their release, Todd and Julie have appeared in a Lifetime documentary series called "The Chrisleys: Back to Reality," which premiered in September.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The Chrisleys are now using the court system to recoup losses from the very case that got them pardoned, a bold legal bet that hinges on proving their lawyers failed them catastrophically."
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