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Credit: Instagram
Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisleyfiled a $25 million lawsuit against their former defense attorneys on Monday.
Months after a pardon from President Donald Trump79, released from prison where they each served time after being convicted of fraud and tax evasion in 2022, Todd, 57, and Julie, 53, blame lawyer Christopher Anulewicz and law firm Balch & Bingham for losing their case, claiming the lawyers were unable to defend them in the “most criminal land”.
“(Christopher Anulewicz) had no meaningful criminal defense experience (and took the case for) publicity and the kind of high-profile fame that brings in business,” their lawsuit claims via a NBC News report on June 9.
As fans will recall, Todd and Julie were hit with an investigation by the Georgia Revenue Department in 2017, which resulted in the couple being charged with defrauding banks out of 36 million dollars. Years later, after being found guilty, Todd was convicted to 12 years behind bars, and Julie was sentenced to seven.
Although Todd and Julie insisted that a search of their warehouse was “illegal,” their attorney reportedly waited too long to file a motion to “suppress the derivative evidence,” leading to “catastrophic” consequences.
“They served time in federal prison. They were separated from each other and from their children. They lost their television show and endorsement deals, costing them more than $25 million in income. Their reputations were destroyed,” the lawsuit states. “A lawyer with actual criminal defense competence, overseen by a firm that took its professional obligations seriously, would never have allowed this to happen.”
Todd and Julie are seeking $25 million in damages plus attorneys’ fees.
Following the filing of the Chrisleys’ lawsuit, Patrick O’Connoran attorney representing Christopher said he had not yet been served.
“We are unable to comment on pending, apparently pending federal litigation,” he said in a statement.
Christopher had nearly 30 years of experience in civil and criminal business litigation and was named one of “The Best Lawyers in America” in 2021 and as one of “Georgia’s Super Lawyers” from 2014 to 2026.
Doug SchneiderA spokesman for Balch & Bingham added: “This complaint will be vigorously defended, but we are unable to comment further on pending litigation.”
