Lindsie Chrisley ‘Blamed’ by Family for Todd & Julie’s Convictions: The Ongoing Chrisley Family Feud
Lindsie Chrisley, the eldest daughter of reality TV star Todd Chrisley from his first marriage to Teresa Terry, has long been estranged from her father, stepmother Julie Chrisley, and much of the family. This rift has intensified amid the couple’s high-profile legal troubles, with Lindsie’s siblings—particularly Savannah and Grayson—publicly accusing her of betrayal and directly blaming her for contributing to Todd and Julie’s 2022 convictions on bank fraud, tax evasion, and related charges. The accusations stem from Lindsie’s reported cooperation with federal investigators, including writing a letter to the FBI that was read in court during the trial. As of September 2025, with Todd and Julie recently released from prison following a presidential pardon, the family drama has reignited in a new Lifetime docu-reality series, The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, premiering this month.
Background on Todd and Julie’s Convictions
Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best (2014–2023), were indicted in August 2019 on 12 federal counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Prosecutors alleged the couple defrauded Atlanta-area community banks out of over $30 million in fraudulent loans by submitting fake financial documents between 2007 and 2012, then evaded taxes on income from their TV show while conspiring with their accountant, Peter Tarantino, to hide assets from the IRS. After spending the loan money, Todd filed for bankruptcy in 2012, discharging over $20 million in debt.
- Trial and Verdict (June 2022): Following a three-week trial in Atlanta, a federal jury convicted them on all counts. Julie was additionally found guilty of obstruction of justice for submitting false documents to investigators. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison (served at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola, Florida), and Julie to 7 years (at Federal Medical Center Lexington, Kentucky). Tarantino received a 3-year sentence for tax-related offenses.
- Appeals and Pardon: The convictions were upheld on appeal in 2024, but in May 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned both, leading to their release after serving about two years. Their attorney, Alex Little, presented Trump with a binder of court documents and testimonials emphasizing perceived injustices, including claims of prosecutorial misconduct. The pardon was influenced by advocacy from daughter Savannah Chrisley. Post-release, Todd has maintained their innocence, blaming a “corrupt prosecution” and even “broke jurors” for the outcome, while denying any remorse.
The case drew widespread attention due to the family’s reality TV fame, with episodes of Chrisley Knows Best continuing to air on USA Network despite the scandal.
Lindsie’s Involvement and Family Blame
Lindsie, 35 (born in 1989), appeared on early seasons of Chrisley Knows Best but left in 2017 amid escalating family tensions. She has a son, Jackson (age 9), from her marriage to ex-husband Will Campbell (divorced 2021), and hosts podcasts Coffee Convos and The Southern Tea. Her estrangement from Todd dates back to at least 2012, exacerbated by a 2016 scandal involving a leaked sex tape (allegedly involving Lindsie and an unnamed man), which Todd and brother Kyle were accused of threatening to release unless she lied to investigators about the family’s finances. Lindsie denied starting the federal probe but confirmed cooperating when subpoenaed.
- Cooperation with Investigators: During the 2022 trial, prosecutors read a letter Lindsie had written to the FBI, detailing her knowledge of the family’s financial dealings. Todd had previously called her the “catalyst” for the investigation in a 2021 PeopleTV interview, claiming unforgivable betrayals. Lindsie attended the verdict reading but has since been painted as a “traitor” by her siblings. She expressed being “deeply saddened” by the convictions in a June 2022 Instagram statement, asking fans to “pray for us” and pausing her podcasts to focus on family.
- Blame from Siblings: The accusations peaked in the trailer for The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, filmed post-pardon. Savannah, 27, states, “The prosecutor read the letter Lindsie wrote to the FBI. We’re no longer family.” Brother Chase, 28, adds, “If your blood will screw you over, then a stranger definitely will. There’s a score to be settled.” Grayson, 19, and Savannah have doubled down, with Savannah calling Lindsie a “traitor” in a summer 2025 interview for speaking to investigators about their parents’ crimes. They credit her actions with sealing the convictions, contrasting Todd’s own blame on external factors like jurors. Savannah even told Lindsie via their grandmother Nanny Faye not to attend a 2024 appeal hearing, saying Todd “didn’t care to have a relationship with her.”
- Lindsie’s Response: Lindsie has denied being the investigation’s instigator, stating in 2024 that she was subpoenaed and testified truthfully. Her attorney, Musa Ghanayem, emphasized in 2019 that she had distanced herself due to “lies, harassment, and threats” from the family. In a May 2024 TV Insider interview, she called the control and manipulation “mind-blowing.” Post-pardon in June 2025, Lindsie turned to faith on Instagram, sharing Bible verses about confronting accusations with truth, without directly addressing the family. She has hinted at the estrangement’s toll on her podcast, noting the last time she saw Todd was emotional but unresolved.
Broader Family Dynamics and Recent Developments
The Chrisley family has been fractured for years:
- Other Estrangements: Lindsie’s brother Kyle (from Todd’s first marriage) has also clashed with the family, facing his own legal issues, including a September 2024 arrest for aggravated assault. He shares Savannah’s criticism of Lindsie.
- Post-Pardon Life: With Todd and Julie free as of May 2025, the family is reuniting for The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, a Lifetime series blending documentary and reality formats. It explores the prison ordeal, family divisions, and “bombshell allegations,” including Lindsie’s role. Executive producers from Surviving R. Kelly and Keeping Up with the Kardashians highlight the mix of serious drama and lighter moments.
- Public Fallout: Lindsie has spoken about the “damage the Chrisley name has brought,” while siblings like Savannah advocate fiercely for their parents, with Savannah even competing on Dancing with the Stars in 2023 to raise awareness for their case.
This blame narrative underscores deep-seated resentments, with Lindsie positioned as the family outcast despite her limited role. As the new series airs, more details may emerge, but reconciliation seems unlikely given the public vitriol.