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[suspenseful music]
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I don't have an apology
to give you or anyone else
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over the money that I've made.
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JUJU CHANG: Todd and Julie
Chrisley, reality stars--
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TODD CHRISLEY: It's going to
be Todd's way or the highway,
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because at the end of the day,
he who has the gold rules.
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JUJU CHANG:--turned convicted
criminals behind bars.
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I was angry at God.
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And I cried myself to sleep.
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And I said, God, why
are you allowing this--
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JUJU CHANG: Now that they're
free, the couple telling all,
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from the first night in prison--
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You don't realize how
much your freedom means
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to you until you don't have it.
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JUJU CHANG:--to their
emotional reunions.
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SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: To see
him running towards me--
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I think that was
just so surreal.
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Did prison change you?
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It has to change you.
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If it didn't change you,
then you're not human.
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JUJU CHANG: The former stars
of Chrisley Knows Best finally
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home after their
daughter Savannah's
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successful mission to
get them a controversial
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presidential pardon--
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Congratulate your parents.
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And I hear they're
terrific people.
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So I just started crying.
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And I said, yes, I'm
getting out of here!
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JUJU CHANG: Now dispelling
rumors about how
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they got that pardon--
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Would I have
slept with someone
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to get one of my children home?
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I'd have sold
tickets to the show.
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But my daughter didn't
have to do that.
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JUJU CHANG: The interview,
the pressing questions--
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We're talking serious charges--
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bank fraud, wire
fraud, tax evasion.
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What they have to
say about going
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from the glamour of television
to the stark reality
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of life behind bars--
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I could see my
health deteriorating.
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Your only fear that you
had was from the staff
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because they were
the ones coming
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in, tearing your room apart.
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JUJU CHANG: Are they ready
to face those who think
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they should still be in prison?
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I'm not oblivious to
the fact that some people
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don't agree with it.
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JUJU CHANG: And
their new obsession
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as they step back into the glare
of the white-hot spotlight--
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What, if anything, do
you think you did wrong?
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[suspenseful music]
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[upbeat music]
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JULIE CHRISLEY: Hi.
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JUJU CHANG: How are you?
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I filled in on your
show a couple of times.
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TODD CHRISLEY: Oh, did you?
MAN: Yes.
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[laughter]
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JUJU CHANG: You
were such a help.
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Thank you.
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WOMAN: Feel free to
place the cushions
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so that you're comfortable.
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MAN: Saddle up, baby.
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[laughter]
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How's it going?
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How does it feel?
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You don't realize the things
that you took for granted
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until you don't have it.
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So your freedom, your
ability to go to church,
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your ability to go
out to eat, you know,
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to stay in your bed all day--
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those things are taken from you.
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So when you have them
back, it's a blessing.
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What are the big things
and the little things
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that you've missed, Julie?
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My children and my husband.
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You know, I missed
birthdays and holidays
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and graduations and things
that I can never get back.
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So now I just have to focus
on what's ahead of us.
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JUJU CHANG: It's been less
than a month since Todd
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and Julie Chrisley walked
out of federal prison
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after being convicted on 12
counts of wire fraud, bank
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fraud, and tax evasion in 2022.
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They were in the
midst of serving
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12 and seven-year sentences.
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We are freaking out over here.
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I have shed so many tears.
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The president
called me personally
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as I was walking into
Sam's Club and notified
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me that he was signing paper--
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pardon paperwork for
both of my parents.
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Your parents are going
to be free and clean.
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And I hope we can
do it by tomorrow.
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JUJU CHANG: Donald
Trump surprised them
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with a presidential pardon
after their daughter's sustained
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campaign to win their freedom.
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What is your response,
though, to people who say,
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you know, you wear the MAGA
hat, you speak at the RNC,
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this is pure political
favoritism they don't deserve?
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JULIE CHRISLEY: For sure.
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I get it.
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I get how it could
look that way.
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But for me, I've also
lost a lot along the way.
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It's almost like a rebirth.
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JUJU CHANG: Now the
whole family is trying
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to make up for lost time.
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What was it like when you got
word you're going to be free?
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TODD CHRISLEY: You're
elated over the fact.
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And I had prayed
for this moment.
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You know, I had asked God
to bring me back to my wife
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and to my children and
to reunite our family.
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You know, it completely
caught me off guard.
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So I just started crying.
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And so everyone was
like, are you OK?
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Is everything OK?
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And I said, yes, I'm
getting out of here.
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A month ago, I was sitting
in prison, dreading a summer
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with no air conditioning.
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And now here I am, home.
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What was that like,
to be finally reunited?
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I was a little nervous
just because, you
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know, you think, oh my gosh,
I've been away this long.
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But then when I saw him, it
was as if no time had passed.
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And you know, for
me, it's just weird
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because she was never away
from me, even the whole time
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that we were apart.
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She was with me every second,
every breath that I took.
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I mean, when I saw her,
I was grateful to wrap
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my arms around her.
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But it was just
more like, I'm home.
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Describe the moment for me.
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Were there tears?
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Was it laughter?
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What did it look like?
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The cameras were there.
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So I think that we've
been trained to--
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There were definitely
tears and laughter and--
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But a lot of that came
after the cameras were not on.
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[upbeat music]
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JUJU CHANG: They're
used to cameras rolling.
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Their lives have been
on display on reality
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TV for more than a decade,
alongside their children.
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What was the first normal
thing you did after coming out?
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You know, I think
us having dinner,
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sitting down and having dinner
and being together again-- you
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know, we get to start over--
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and acknowledging that and
giving God the glory for that.
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The first meal?
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Pizza Hut.
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Zaxby's.
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The first night of
sleeping in your own bed?
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Heaven.
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Yes.
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First post-prison
shower or bath?
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- Without shower shoes--
- Without shoes.
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- it was almost like your
first sexual encounter.
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[laughing]
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JUJU CHANG: That good?
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That good.
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What was it like
reuniting with Savannah?
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I mean, I've seen that video.
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SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: To see
him running towards me
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and to see the individuals,
the correctional officers,
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not grabbing him--
and, like, he was free.
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So I think that was
just so surreal.
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JUJU CHANG: One of the
most emotional parts
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of their family reunion--
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seeing their 12-year-old
granddaughter who they adopted,
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Chloe.
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When you were
reunited with Chloe
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and your husband describes
that she just did not
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want to let you go,
what was that moment
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of reunion with her like?
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You know, even though we
had gotten to see each other
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and Savannah was so
good about bringing
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Grayson and Chloe
to see me, it's not
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the same as when you're home.
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On our way home, she was
literally watching on her phone.
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She was tracking where we
were to know how close I was.
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So I think it was just--
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SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: When I--
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It was a special moment.
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And when I was
going to get Dad,
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she was calling me
literally every 10 minutes.
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TODD CHRISLEY: Do you have him?
- Do you have him yet?
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Do you have him yet?
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Do you have him yet?
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And then finally, we FaceTimed
and I was like, I have him.
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(WHISPERING) I'm back.
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JUJU CHANG: One of Todd's
first public outings--
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a shopping trip to
Nordstrom that went viral,
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with paparazzi in hot pursuit.
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I've had to get
these poor people
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here at the Nordstrom's
to help me escape.
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Hell, they should have
been there 28 months ago.
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We get into the Nordstrom, and
I'm going about my business.
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And I look up.
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And here comes press
with long-lens cameras,
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running down the
middle of the mall.
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And I said, oh my god.
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00:07:49,772 --> 00:07:51,610
And I said to Savannah,
just take the picture.
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00:07:51,710 --> 00:07:53,446
Just do the video
and release it.
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00:07:53,547 --> 00:07:55,316
That'll stop them, make
them leave us alone.
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00:07:55,416 --> 00:07:56,553
Well, it wasn't.
So I said, OK.
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00:07:56,653 --> 00:07:57,588
Then you know what?
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00:07:57,688 --> 00:07:58,724
You're not getting the picture.
207
00:07:58,824 --> 00:08:00,259
I'm wearing the
bag over my head.
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00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:02,197
JUJU CHANG: Julie largely
remained out of the public eye
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00:08:02,297 --> 00:08:05,938
after her release, besides this
one picture captured by a Fox
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00:08:06,038 --> 00:08:09,378
News Digital journalist,
Julie without her signature
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00:08:09,478 --> 00:08:10,914
blonde hair.
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00:08:11,015 --> 00:08:14,121
There was a very interesting
photo of you as a brunette.
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00:08:14,221 --> 00:08:15,691
Yes.
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00:08:15,791 --> 00:08:18,931
So my daughter says, Mom, come
with me to the butcher shop.
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00:08:19,031 --> 00:08:20,033
Nobody's going--
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00:08:20,133 --> 00:08:21,135
Well, I wanted to show
her the butcher shop
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00:08:21,235 --> 00:08:22,137
that I've been going to.
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00:08:22,237 --> 00:08:23,306
She's like, nobody--
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00:08:23,406 --> 00:08:24,610
nobody's going to follow us.
220
00:08:24,710 --> 00:08:26,145
Nobody's going to follow us.
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00:08:26,245 --> 00:08:28,149
OK, they did.
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00:08:28,249 --> 00:08:30,487
So that picture's there forever.
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00:08:30,588 --> 00:08:32,057
But that's OK.
That's OK.
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00:08:32,157 --> 00:08:32,759
I'm home.
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00:08:32,859 --> 00:08:34,729
That's all that matters.
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00:08:34,829 --> 00:08:37,334
JUJU CHANG: The Chrisleys
first rose to fame in 2014
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00:08:37,434 --> 00:08:40,741
with their hit reality
show, Chrisley Knows Best.
228
00:08:40,841 --> 00:08:42,745
Todd Chrisley made his
money as a real estate
229
00:08:42,845 --> 00:08:46,052
developer, the series giving
a peek into his family's
230
00:08:46,152 --> 00:08:49,593
lavish lifestyle.
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00:08:49,693 --> 00:08:51,328
This is my closet.
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Things are organized by season.
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00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:55,705
Something that's
not right here--
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00:08:55,805 --> 00:08:57,708
and this should not be here.
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00:08:57,808 --> 00:09:01,382
In a year, we probably spend
$300,000, sometimes more,
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00:09:01,482 --> 00:09:02,952
just on clothing.
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00:09:03,052 --> 00:09:05,925
KELLEY CARTER: In 2014, when
the Chrisleys came on the scene,
238
00:09:06,025 --> 00:09:09,464
we were fully locked into
the reality TV landscape.
239
00:09:09,565 --> 00:09:10,701
We had the Kardashians.
240
00:09:10,801 --> 00:09:12,605
And then we also
had the Housewives.
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00:09:12,706 --> 00:09:14,576
And when the
Chrisleys came around,
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00:09:14,676 --> 00:09:17,414
it was another
chance to peek behind
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00:09:17,515 --> 00:09:19,418
the velvet rope, so
to speak, and see
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00:09:19,519 --> 00:09:21,523
how the other half lives.
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00:09:21,623 --> 00:09:23,627
JUJU CHANG: The quirky
Southern family includes
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00:09:23,728 --> 00:09:26,465
now 56-year-old
Todd and 52-year-old
247
00:09:26,566 --> 00:09:28,202
Julie and their children--
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00:09:28,302 --> 00:09:30,273
Chase, Savannah, and Grayson.
249
00:09:30,373 --> 00:09:33,681
Todd also has two older kids
from his first marriage, Lindsie
250
00:09:33,781 --> 00:09:36,118
and Kyle, and of course,
granddaughter Chloe,
251
00:09:36,219 --> 00:09:39,458
who Todd and Julie adopted
after Kyle had substance abuse
252
00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:40,761
struggles.
253
00:09:40,861 --> 00:09:43,299
Todd's no-nonsense
parenting style--
254
00:09:43,399 --> 00:09:44,602
the lifeblood of the show.
255
00:09:44,702 --> 00:09:45,905
I'll make a deal with you.
256
00:09:46,005 --> 00:09:48,343
You don't drop it like it's hot.
257
00:09:48,443 --> 00:09:49,746
Oh, my god.
258
00:09:49,846 --> 00:09:50,914
TODD CHRISLEY: And I won't
drop it like it's hot.
259
00:09:51,015 --> 00:09:52,317
KELLEY CARTER:
People love to hate
260
00:09:52,417 --> 00:09:54,221
reality TV show stars, period.
261
00:09:54,321 --> 00:09:59,231
But I also think that people
love to hate the Chrisleys, too.
262
00:09:59,331 --> 00:10:01,235
But they watch the Chrisleys.
263
00:10:01,335 --> 00:10:04,575
JUJU CHANG: Todd's unfiltered
personality on full display
264
00:10:04,675 --> 00:10:05,945
as cameras were rolling--
265
00:10:06,045 --> 00:10:07,515
Todd?
TODD CHRISLEY: Yes?
266
00:10:07,615 --> 00:10:08,851
JULIE CHRISLEY:
Come here, please.
267
00:10:08,951 --> 00:10:10,052
So what do you think?
268
00:10:13,093 --> 00:10:15,296
It's just me and
you that's supposed
269
00:10:15,396 --> 00:10:18,770
to be walking through the door,
not me, you, and your camel toe.
270
00:10:18,871 --> 00:10:20,440
KELLEY CARTER:
Todd really Is this
271
00:10:20,541 --> 00:10:22,377
larger-than-life personality.
272
00:10:22,477 --> 00:10:24,549
And I think that's really
why people gravitated
273
00:10:24,649 --> 00:10:26,520
towards him in the first place.
274
00:10:26,620 --> 00:10:28,891
You know, he is unafraid
and unencumbered.
275
00:10:28,991 --> 00:10:32,363
Like, he will
literally say anything.
276
00:10:32,463 --> 00:10:35,403
And that's the kind of
personality that just works
277
00:10:35,504 --> 00:10:38,175
so beautifully on reality TV.
278
00:10:38,276 --> 00:10:40,581
JUJU CHANG: But it's the heated
father-daughter face-offs,
279
00:10:40,681 --> 00:10:44,556
the dueling personalities, that
helped shape the family dynamic.
280
00:10:44,656 --> 00:10:46,926
OK, you look not 17, by the way.
281
00:10:47,027 --> 00:10:50,702
Now I'm more nervous about
what my dad has up his sleeve
282
00:10:50,802 --> 00:10:52,170
to embarrass me tonight.
283
00:10:52,270 --> 00:10:53,707
Dear god.
284
00:10:53,807 --> 00:10:56,513
Thank god for
plastic surgery, too.
285
00:10:56,613 --> 00:10:57,414
Savannah?
286
00:10:57,515 --> 00:10:58,850
Yes?
287
00:10:58,950 --> 00:11:00,453
I'm making sure that my
future son-in-law eats well.
288
00:11:00,554 --> 00:11:01,288
Oh my god, no!
289
00:11:01,388 --> 00:11:02,390
Do not say that!
290
00:11:02,490 --> 00:11:03,694
Oh my god.
291
00:11:03,794 --> 00:11:05,530
JUJU CHANG: You delight
in embarrassing her.
292
00:11:05,631 --> 00:11:09,305
I like to see how she's going
to perform under pressure.
293
00:11:09,405 --> 00:11:10,942
And, I mean, it worked.
294
00:11:11,042 --> 00:11:12,512
I mean, we're sitting here.
295
00:11:12,612 --> 00:11:14,014
She worked well under pressure.
296
00:11:14,114 --> 00:11:16,653
I just rewatched the thing
where you get your hair cut.
297
00:11:16,753 --> 00:11:17,855
Yes, right?
298
00:11:17,955 --> 00:11:19,525
So dad was not
happy about that one.
299
00:11:19,625 --> 00:11:21,162
Is that a wig?
300
00:11:21,262 --> 00:11:22,230
You don't like my hair?
301
00:11:22,330 --> 00:11:23,601
I think it's so fun.
302
00:11:23,701 --> 00:11:27,374
I mean, it's just so short.
303
00:11:27,474 --> 00:11:28,677
What are you doing?
304
00:11:28,777 --> 00:11:30,079
TODD CHRISLEY: Are you
having a breakdown?
305
00:11:30,180 --> 00:11:32,519
Why would you do
something like that?
306
00:11:32,619 --> 00:11:34,120
It was very liberating.
307
00:11:34,221 --> 00:11:37,093
From the moment she was born,
when they handed her to me
308
00:11:37,193 --> 00:11:40,200
and I looked in her eyes,
there was a soul tie there.
309
00:11:40,300 --> 00:11:41,603
There was a connection.
310
00:11:41,703 --> 00:11:46,847
And I never allowed
her to be left out.
311
00:11:46,947 --> 00:11:51,455
If the boys were doing something
and she wanted to do it, go.
312
00:11:51,556 --> 00:11:53,927
JUJU CHANG: That feisty
spirit would come in handy
313
00:11:54,028 --> 00:11:55,865
as her parents
faced their biggest
314
00:11:55,965 --> 00:12:00,874
challenge, leaving the comforts
of home for federal lockup.
315
00:12:00,975 --> 00:12:04,949
Todd, take us behind
bars with you.
316
00:12:05,049 --> 00:12:07,187
What was that first night like?
317
00:12:07,287 --> 00:12:08,523
I was angry at God.
318
00:12:08,624 --> 00:12:10,728
And when I went to bed that
night, the lights went out.
319
00:12:10,828 --> 00:12:12,030
I cried myself to sleep.
320
00:12:12,130 --> 00:12:13,733
And I said, God, why
are you allowing this?
321
00:12:13,833 --> 00:12:16,773
In my dreams, God came
to me and said that I've
322
00:12:16,873 --> 00:12:18,343
planted you where I need you.
323
00:12:18,443 --> 00:12:19,813
What was the dormitory like?
324
00:12:19,913 --> 00:12:21,348
It was bad.
325
00:12:21,449 --> 00:12:23,821
It was a former military base
that the Bureau of Prisons
326
00:12:23,921 --> 00:12:25,457
had not taken care of--
327
00:12:25,558 --> 00:12:27,361
black mold, asbestos--
328
00:12:27,461 --> 00:12:28,797
Lead-based paint.
329
00:12:28,897 --> 00:12:30,934
- lead-based paint, air
conditioning in and out all
330
00:12:31,035 --> 00:12:33,507
the time, ice
machines going out,
331
00:12:33,607 --> 00:12:35,978
not being fixed, rotting food.
332
00:12:36,078 --> 00:12:38,015
The windows were sealed shut.
333
00:12:38,115 --> 00:12:39,384
The windows were
screwed shut--
334
00:12:39,484 --> 00:12:41,790
serving these men food
that literally the labels,
335
00:12:41,890 --> 00:12:43,092
some of the labels
that were sent
336
00:12:43,192 --> 00:12:44,629
to Savannah was nine years old.
337
00:12:44,729 --> 00:12:46,231
Yeah.
338
00:12:46,331 --> 00:12:49,505
So you know, when you look at
that and you see that these men
339
00:12:49,606 --> 00:12:50,908
are not getting
medical treatment--
340
00:12:51,008 --> 00:12:52,645
if something ever
happens to me, y'all take
341
00:12:52,745 --> 00:12:54,014
me to the local
veterinarian because I
342
00:12:54,114 --> 00:12:55,349
think I'll get better care.
343
00:12:55,449 --> 00:12:59,592
Did either of you feel
unsafe or threatened?
344
00:12:59,692 --> 00:13:00,928
I never felt that.
345
00:13:01,028 --> 00:13:03,801
No, I didn't feel
unsafe or threatened by--
346
00:13:03,901 --> 00:13:05,972
that someone was going
to do harm to me.
347
00:13:06,072 --> 00:13:08,777
I felt unsafe because
of the conditions.
348
00:13:08,877 --> 00:13:10,747
I developed asthma.
349
00:13:10,848 --> 00:13:13,118
And I have horrible
breathing issues
350
00:13:13,218 --> 00:13:14,890
that I never had going in.
351
00:13:14,990 --> 00:13:17,093
I was more concerned
because my health--
352
00:13:17,193 --> 00:13:19,966
I could see my
health deteriorating.
353
00:13:20,066 --> 00:13:23,072
And things that I had never
had an issue with before now,
354
00:13:23,172 --> 00:13:24,942
all of a sudden,
became an issue.
355
00:13:25,042 --> 00:13:26,713
And you talked about
some of the skills
356
00:13:26,813 --> 00:13:28,583
that you learned
and took part in.
357
00:13:28,683 --> 00:13:29,752
Well, I stayed busy.
358
00:13:29,852 --> 00:13:30,921
I stayed busy.
359
00:13:31,021 --> 00:13:32,224
I was determined to stay busy.
360
00:13:32,324 --> 00:13:33,594
JUJU CHANG: Did you
really drive a forklift?
361
00:13:33,694 --> 00:13:34,428
I did.
362
00:13:34,529 --> 00:13:35,531
I absolutely did.
363
00:13:35,631 --> 00:13:37,133
I stayed busy every day.
364
00:13:37,233 --> 00:13:40,206
I was going to keep my
mind active, my body active
365
00:13:40,306 --> 00:13:43,312
because I knew I was
getting out at some point.
366
00:13:43,413 --> 00:13:45,049
The more I could
stay busy, the more
367
00:13:45,150 --> 00:13:47,888
I had to think about what I
was missing out on at home.
368
00:13:47,988 --> 00:13:49,458
I stayed in a routine.
I got up.
369
00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:50,326
I showered.
370
00:13:50,426 --> 00:13:50,961
I shaved.
371
00:13:51,061 --> 00:13:51,864
I put on my clothes.
372
00:13:51,964 --> 00:13:53,399
I went to the library.
373
00:13:53,499 --> 00:13:54,502
I did my emails.
374
00:13:54,602 --> 00:13:56,539
I called Savannah every morning.
375
00:13:56,639 --> 00:13:58,343
And then I went and worked out.
376
00:13:58,443 --> 00:13:59,277
And then I read a lot.
377
00:13:59,377 --> 00:14:01,816
I read 116 books
while I was gone.
378
00:14:01,916 --> 00:14:03,920
I read a lot of Maya Angelou.
379
00:14:04,020 --> 00:14:05,892
And that was very helpful.
380
00:14:05,992 --> 00:14:07,059
That was very helpful.
381
00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:08,530
And there was a
lot of talk that you
382
00:14:08,630 --> 00:14:09,832
got jacked during that time.
383
00:14:09,932 --> 00:14:11,368
[laughter]
384
00:14:11,469 --> 00:14:13,674
I'm certainly in better shape
than I was when I went in.
385
00:14:13,774 --> 00:14:16,680
This man couldn't even make
it through a workout session--
386
00:14:16,780 --> 00:14:17,715
I didn't want to.
387
00:14:17,815 --> 00:14:19,117
- with me before he went in.
388
00:14:19,217 --> 00:14:21,657
And now he's like, all
right, let's go work out.
389
00:14:21,757 --> 00:14:23,861
But it was my saving grace.
390
00:14:23,961 --> 00:14:25,130
It was my sanity.
391
00:14:25,230 --> 00:14:26,633
Your wife is
driving forklifts.
392
00:14:26,733 --> 00:14:27,835
And you're--
393
00:14:27,935 --> 00:14:29,137
But she's always
been different than me.
394
00:14:29,237 --> 00:14:30,775
I mean, like, you put
me in federal prison,
395
00:14:30,875 --> 00:14:31,910
I'm not working for you.
396
00:14:32,010 --> 00:14:33,479
I'm not giving
you no free labor.
397
00:14:33,580 --> 00:14:34,648
I'm not doing any of that.
398
00:14:34,749 --> 00:14:36,987
I'm here to do time,
not your chores.
399
00:14:37,087 --> 00:14:38,590
JUJU CHANG: So how
did the Chrisleys
400
00:14:38,690 --> 00:14:40,126
end up in federal prison?
401
00:14:40,226 --> 00:14:42,296
It goes back to 2019.
402
00:14:42,396 --> 00:14:44,167
Two stars from
reality TV could
403
00:14:44,267 --> 00:14:46,171
face up to 30 years in prison.
404
00:14:46,271 --> 00:14:49,111
Todd and Julie
Chrisley are denying tax
405
00:14:49,211 --> 00:14:50,714
evasion and bank fraud charges.
406
00:14:50,814 --> 00:14:53,486
REPORTER: Todd and Julie
Chrisley convicted in Atlanta.
407
00:14:53,587 --> 00:14:55,791
JUJU CHANG: During Donald
Trump's first presidency,
408
00:14:55,891 --> 00:14:57,427
the Department of
Justice indicted
409
00:14:57,528 --> 00:15:00,700
Todd and Julie, along with their
accountant, Peter Tarantino.
410
00:15:00,801 --> 00:15:04,642
The charges-- bank and wire
fraud, conspiracy to defraud
411
00:15:04,742 --> 00:15:07,080
the IRS, and tax evasion.
412
00:15:07,180 --> 00:15:11,523
Prosecutors argued that they
created this illusion of wealth
413
00:15:11,623 --> 00:15:15,630
on the show, but in
reality, behind the scenes,
414
00:15:15,730 --> 00:15:22,110
were fighting tooth and
nail to avoid losing it all.
415
00:15:22,210 --> 00:15:23,614
JUJU CHANG: In all,
federal prosecutors
416
00:15:23,714 --> 00:15:26,619
accused the Chrisleys of
stealing more than $30 million
417
00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:30,393
over the years in fraudulent
loans from community banks.
418
00:15:30,493 --> 00:15:32,196
Within that time,
they also filed
419
00:15:32,296 --> 00:15:36,205
for bankruptcy, the indictment
calling them "career swindlers."
420
00:15:36,305 --> 00:15:40,781
The whole brand was, hey,
look how rich they are.
421
00:15:40,881 --> 00:15:46,358
And suddenly, they're charged
with bank fraud and tax evasion.
422
00:15:46,458 --> 00:15:51,736
So certainly for fans of
the show, it was a shock.
423
00:15:51,837 --> 00:15:54,875
It was a big federal court
case that we never got to see
424
00:15:54,975 --> 00:15:57,681
play out on their series.
425
00:15:57,781 --> 00:16:00,855
JUJU CHANG: The Chrisleys and
Tarantino pleaded not guilty,
426
00:16:00,955 --> 00:16:02,892
maintaining their innocence.
427
00:16:02,992 --> 00:16:04,127
We stand in our faith.
428
00:16:04,227 --> 00:16:05,698
And we stand in what
we know is right.
429
00:16:05,798 --> 00:16:09,138
The heart of the defense
here was that they didn't even
430
00:16:09,238 --> 00:16:11,175
know that this had happened.
431
00:16:11,275 --> 00:16:14,147
They blamed their accountants,
saying they're the ones who
432
00:16:14,247 --> 00:16:17,555
filed these documents, they're
the ones who were lying,
433
00:16:17,655 --> 00:16:20,561
and they had no idea.
434
00:16:20,661 --> 00:16:23,567
JUJU CHANG: Prosecutors say
they inflated their net worth.
435
00:16:23,667 --> 00:16:26,104
Banks loaned them
millions, which they partly
436
00:16:26,205 --> 00:16:28,309
spent on their
luxurious lifestyle,
437
00:16:28,409 --> 00:16:31,448
like maintenance on their
pools or cosmetic procedures
438
00:16:31,549 --> 00:16:32,551
for their kids.
439
00:16:32,651 --> 00:16:34,454
TODD CHRISLEY: What
is it supposed to do?
440
00:16:34,555 --> 00:16:36,626
JUJU CHANG: Also, during
the early years of the show,
441
00:16:36,726 --> 00:16:39,130
the prosecutors say the
Chrisleys failed to file
442
00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:42,972
or pay taxes from 2013 to 2016.
443
00:16:43,072 --> 00:16:45,376
Prosecutors presented
a lot of documents
444
00:16:45,476 --> 00:16:51,187
here to try to demonstrate that
they had engaged in this fraud,
445
00:16:51,288 --> 00:16:58,002
like false bank statements,
audit statements, invoices.
446
00:16:58,102 --> 00:17:02,277
So they used all of these
together to try to show
447
00:17:02,377 --> 00:17:03,881
this wasn't just a mistake.
448
00:17:03,981 --> 00:17:05,116
This wasn't an error.
449
00:17:05,216 --> 00:17:06,418
This was intentional.
450
00:17:06,519 --> 00:17:08,155
JUJU CHANG: Their
trial also centered
451
00:17:08,256 --> 00:17:11,730
around Todd's former business
associate, Mark Braddock,
452
00:17:11,830 --> 00:17:13,299
seen here on Instagram.
453
00:17:13,399 --> 00:17:17,307
Mark Braddock became one of
the star witnesses in the case.
454
00:17:17,407 --> 00:17:20,280
He was at the center of this.
455
00:17:20,380 --> 00:17:25,256
And on the stand, he implicated
Todd and Julie Chrisley.
456
00:17:25,356 --> 00:17:27,628
JUJU CHANG: Braddock testified
that he helped the Chrisleys
457
00:17:27,728 --> 00:17:30,967
falsified documents and that
his relationship with Todd
458
00:17:31,067 --> 00:17:32,738
went far beyond business.
459
00:17:32,838 --> 00:17:34,508
He says the two had been lovers.
460
00:17:34,609 --> 00:17:37,280
Did it surprise
you when he alleged
461
00:17:37,380 --> 00:17:39,317
this relationship with you?
462
00:17:39,417 --> 00:17:41,690
It did, because he's
never-- he's never
463
00:17:41,790 --> 00:17:42,959
said anything like that.
464
00:17:43,059 --> 00:17:45,296
He's never approached
me in that manner.
465
00:17:45,396 --> 00:17:47,267
Well, if I was going to
do that, it wouldn't be
466
00:17:47,367 --> 00:17:49,437
with somebody that was broke.
467
00:17:49,538 --> 00:17:51,976
It wouldn't be with somebody
that looks like him.
468
00:17:52,076 --> 00:17:54,782
JUJU CHANG: Prosecutors say
perhaps some of the most damning
469
00:17:54,882 --> 00:17:57,220
evidence used at
trial were emails
470
00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,459
and messages between the
Chrisleys and their accountant.
471
00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:03,700
In one message, Todd wrote
about faking documents.
472
00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:06,038
"If you do not know how
to do this, then find
473
00:18:06,138 --> 00:18:08,576
a crooked accountant to do it."
474
00:18:08,676 --> 00:18:12,217
Todd says he didn't write those
emails and points to Braddock
475
00:18:12,317 --> 00:18:13,619
as the mastermind.
476
00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:17,160
Mark Braddock,
who ran the company,
477
00:18:17,260 --> 00:18:19,497
had hacked into
all of our emails.
478
00:18:19,598 --> 00:18:22,003
So you're saying
Mark Braddock--
479
00:18:22,103 --> 00:18:23,305
He did send the emails.
480
00:18:23,405 --> 00:18:24,542
JUJU CHANG:--sent the
email under your name?
481
00:18:24,642 --> 00:18:25,510
That's right.
482
00:18:25,611 --> 00:18:26,980
And keep in mind
he signed a blanket
483
00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:28,550
immunity with the government.
484
00:18:28,650 --> 00:18:30,921
JUJU CHANG: Braddock did not
respond to a request for comment
485
00:18:31,021 --> 00:18:32,256
from ABC News.
486
00:18:32,356 --> 00:18:34,962
But at trial, he denied
being the mastermind,
487
00:18:35,063 --> 00:18:37,601
testifying that he did have
passwords to some of Todd's
488
00:18:37,701 --> 00:18:41,576
accounts, but not the one where
many of those emails originated.
489
00:18:41,676 --> 00:18:44,147
In the end, the jury
convicted the Chrisleys
490
00:18:44,247 --> 00:18:46,752
along with their
accountant, Tarantino.
491
00:18:46,852 --> 00:18:50,026
A judge sentenced them to prison
and ordered the Chrisleys to pay
492
00:18:50,126 --> 00:18:52,831
$17 million in restitution.
493
00:18:52,931 --> 00:18:55,504
What, if anything, do
you think you did wrong?
494
00:18:55,604 --> 00:18:58,075
I trusted the wrong person.
495
00:18:58,175 --> 00:19:01,248
What does redemption
mean to you?
496
00:19:01,348 --> 00:19:02,818
I don't really
look at redemption
497
00:19:02,918 --> 00:19:05,657
because I know that what we
were convicted of we didn't do.
498
00:19:05,757 --> 00:19:08,396
So I'm not trying
to redeem anything.
499
00:19:08,496 --> 00:19:14,307
I think that certainly,
trying to prove what happened
500
00:19:14,407 --> 00:19:16,546
and getting the truth
out there and exposing
501
00:19:16,646 --> 00:19:21,656
those that was involved
in it is important to me.
502
00:19:21,756 --> 00:19:23,594
JUJU CHANG: In the
beginning of 2023,
503
00:19:23,694 --> 00:19:25,997
the Chrisleys settled
into prison life--
504
00:19:26,097 --> 00:19:28,703
Todd in Florida,
Julie in Kentucky.
505
00:19:28,803 --> 00:19:31,341
With her parents
behind bars, Savannah
506
00:19:31,441 --> 00:19:32,978
became the legal
guardian of her brother,
507
00:19:33,079 --> 00:19:38,590
Grayson, and niece, Chloe,
then just 16 and 10 years old.
508
00:19:38,690 --> 00:19:42,497
I sat down with her last year
as she took on this new role.
509
00:19:42,598 --> 00:19:44,568
Was there ever
any doubt that you
510
00:19:44,668 --> 00:19:47,040
would raise Grayson and Chloe?
511
00:19:47,140 --> 00:19:48,510
Mm-mm.
512
00:19:48,610 --> 00:19:51,949
I think it was just an unspoken
thing that we just knew.
513
00:19:52,049 --> 00:19:55,456
What's life been like
carrying on without them?
514
00:19:55,557 --> 00:19:58,429
I mean, you've had to have
holidays without them.
515
00:19:58,530 --> 00:20:00,466
That was the hardest
part-- was at Christmas,
516
00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:02,538
asking the kids, like any
other parent does, like,
517
00:20:02,638 --> 00:20:03,940
what do you want for Christmas?
518
00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,946
And they look at you and
say, I don't want anything.
519
00:20:07,046 --> 00:20:08,684
Like, I can't have what I want.
520
00:20:08,784 --> 00:20:12,591
And you're like, got it.
521
00:20:12,691 --> 00:20:16,398
JULIE CHRISLEY: I have to
say, I was beyond proud.
522
00:20:16,498 --> 00:20:18,435
That's probably what
I'm the most proud
523
00:20:18,537 --> 00:20:26,451
of, because they did not deserve
to be left without a mom.
524
00:20:26,552 --> 00:20:32,196
And she was able to step
right in and not miss a beat.
525
00:20:32,296 --> 00:20:37,440
And I just-- I can never
thank her for that.
526
00:20:37,541 --> 00:20:40,580
And the things that they were
able to do and accomplish--
527
00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:43,653
I just-- I couldn't
have done it any better.
528
00:20:43,753 --> 00:20:44,487
OK.
529
00:20:44,588 --> 00:20:45,691
I'm going to play a little clip.
530
00:20:45,791 --> 00:20:47,326
And then we can
react afterwards, OK?
531
00:20:47,426 --> 00:20:49,497
JUJU CHANG: What was it like
for them to say goodbye?
532
00:20:49,598 --> 00:20:51,401
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: It
was tough just watching
533
00:20:51,502 --> 00:20:53,472
them stand at their
bedroom, just hugging
534
00:20:53,573 --> 00:20:56,111
and kissing and not knowing.
535
00:20:56,211 --> 00:20:58,315
And they left us all videos.
536
00:20:58,415 --> 00:21:00,085
What was the message to you?
537
00:21:00,185 --> 00:21:01,856
You can do this.
538
00:21:01,956 --> 00:21:03,192
You shouldn't have to.
539
00:21:03,292 --> 00:21:04,494
So proud of you.
540
00:21:04,595 --> 00:21:06,999
I think my dad's
exact words were,
541
00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:13,546
you are what every father
wants for a daughter.
542
00:21:13,646 --> 00:21:16,151
JUJU CHANG: It's a lot that she
covered in that little clip.
543
00:21:16,251 --> 00:21:17,654
Yeah.
544
00:21:17,754 --> 00:21:19,625
A child should not have to
take care of their parents.
545
00:21:19,725 --> 00:21:22,263
It's the parents' job to
take care of the child.
546
00:21:22,364 --> 00:21:25,603
But for whatever
reason, God blessed
547
00:21:25,704 --> 00:21:31,081
us with a child that is so
unlike so many other kids out
548
00:21:31,181 --> 00:21:32,951
here.
549
00:21:33,051 --> 00:21:35,957
I said to her many times, you
were built for this moment.
550
00:21:36,057 --> 00:21:38,495
I hate it-- that it
happened the way that it did
551
00:21:38,596 --> 00:21:41,502
because her life was on hold.
552
00:21:41,602 --> 00:21:43,272
Now, yes, they are her siblings.
553
00:21:43,372 --> 00:21:45,643
But it's not her
job to raise them.
554
00:21:45,743 --> 00:21:49,652
In our house, we have
kids over all the time.
555
00:21:49,752 --> 00:21:51,321
JUJU CHANG: At 26,
she was not only
556
00:21:51,421 --> 00:21:52,991
a single parent,
but the Chrisley
557
00:21:53,091 --> 00:21:54,194
family's sole breadwinner.
558
00:21:54,294 --> 00:21:55,564
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY:
All right, y'all.
559
00:21:55,664 --> 00:21:56,799
It's Savannah Chrisley.
560
00:21:56,899 --> 00:22:01,509
She launched her
own podcast, Unlocked,
561
00:22:01,609 --> 00:22:05,884
and continued taking jobs on
reality TV, from Special Forces
562
00:22:05,984 --> 00:22:07,353
to The Masked Singer.
563
00:22:07,453 --> 00:22:10,192
(SINGING) In the
jungle, the mighty jungle.
564
00:22:10,292 --> 00:22:12,630
TODD CHRISLEY: I missed The
Masked Singer because I was
565
00:22:12,731 --> 00:22:15,136
embarrassed for her, but I
knew she was going to do that,
566
00:22:15,236 --> 00:22:16,338
because she cannot sing.
567
00:22:16,438 --> 00:22:17,407
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY:
Yes, that was awful.
568
00:22:17,508 --> 00:22:18,709
- And--
- I watched it.
569
00:22:18,809 --> 00:22:20,847
But I guess the beautiful
part of that was--
570
00:22:20,947 --> 00:22:24,221
is that she went and
did that, and she
571
00:22:24,321 --> 00:22:26,825
didn't care how bad she was.
572
00:22:29,765 --> 00:22:32,002
The Chrisleys continued
to fight on legally.
573
00:22:32,102 --> 00:22:35,977
But last year, a federal appeals
court upheld their convictions.
574
00:22:36,077 --> 00:22:39,184
So Savannah turned her
attention to Washington, DC,
575
00:22:39,284 --> 00:22:40,954
even meeting with the president.
576
00:22:41,054 --> 00:22:44,160
And last summer, Savannah,
a longtime Trump supporter,
577
00:22:44,260 --> 00:22:47,534
took the stage at the
Republican National Convention.
578
00:22:47,634 --> 00:22:50,974
I'll never forget what the
prosecutor said in the most
579
00:22:51,074 --> 00:22:54,447
heavily Democrat county
in the state before
580
00:22:54,548 --> 00:22:56,786
an Obama-appointed judge.
581
00:22:56,886 --> 00:23:01,228
He called us "the
Trumps of the South."
582
00:23:01,328 --> 00:23:02,230
[booing]
583
00:23:02,330 --> 00:23:03,065
Yeah.
584
00:23:03,165 --> 00:23:04,569
Hey, it's fine.
585
00:23:04,669 --> 00:23:07,674
He meant it as an insult.
But let me tell you,
586
00:23:07,774 --> 00:23:10,445
boy, do I wear it
as a badge of honor.
587
00:23:10,546 --> 00:23:13,452
So I started to see some
traction from my RNC speech,
588
00:23:13,553 --> 00:23:15,022
from other political events.
589
00:23:15,122 --> 00:23:18,162
And that's when I kind
of got my plan in place.
590
00:23:18,262 --> 00:23:19,231
I would be in DC.
591
00:23:19,331 --> 00:23:20,399
I would be in Florida.
592
00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:21,969
I would be wherever
I got invited
593
00:23:22,069 --> 00:23:26,010
that there was a potential
of meeting the right person.
594
00:23:26,110 --> 00:23:28,983
JUJU CHANG: In late May,
her campaign paid off.
595
00:23:29,083 --> 00:23:31,523
President Trump called
Savannah and told her he was
596
00:23:31,623 --> 00:23:33,125
going to pardon her parents.
597
00:23:33,225 --> 00:23:34,528
And congratulate your parents.
598
00:23:34,628 --> 00:23:35,930
Congratulations, Savannah.
599
00:23:36,031 --> 00:23:37,668
And Alice had a
lot to do with this.
600
00:23:37,768 --> 00:23:40,239
And just congratulate
your parents.
601
00:23:40,339 --> 00:23:41,776
And I hear they're
terrific people.
602
00:23:41,876 --> 00:23:43,178
This should not have happened.
603
00:23:43,278 --> 00:23:44,515
So-- and you just--
604
00:23:44,615 --> 00:23:46,151
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY:
Thank you so much.
605
00:23:46,251 --> 00:23:47,453
I am freaking out.
606
00:23:47,554 --> 00:23:48,923
I'm still sweating.
607
00:23:49,023 --> 00:23:53,399
We're getting some clothes
together for mom and dad,
608
00:23:53,499 --> 00:23:56,405
getting their room
put together upstairs.
609
00:23:56,506 --> 00:23:59,879
And I'm just speechless.
610
00:23:59,979 --> 00:24:02,116
I can't thank you guys
enough for sticking
611
00:24:02,216 --> 00:24:05,958
with my family along the way and
for loving us and supporting us.
612
00:24:06,058 --> 00:24:08,295
JUJU CHANG: You said
that people were accusing
613
00:24:08,395 --> 00:24:09,865
you of all manner of things--
614
00:24:09,965 --> 00:24:11,000
Yes.
615
00:24:11,100 --> 00:24:12,638
JUJU CHANG:--sleeping
your way to the pardon,
616
00:24:12,738 --> 00:24:14,708
paying your way to the pardon.
617
00:24:14,808 --> 00:24:18,683
How did you handle
that kind of talk?
618
00:24:18,783 --> 00:24:22,691
It was extremely challenging,
and I think for reasons
619
00:24:22,791 --> 00:24:24,427
that people would not expect.
620
00:24:24,528 --> 00:24:26,197
What was challenging
for me was the fact
621
00:24:26,297 --> 00:24:28,736
that this talk came from women.
622
00:24:28,836 --> 00:24:31,776
So we, as women, have the
ability to build each other
623
00:24:31,876 --> 00:24:33,779
up and tear each other down.
624
00:24:33,879 --> 00:24:35,984
And I worked for
2 and 1/2 years.
625
00:24:36,084 --> 00:24:38,890
I did not have a single
political connection.
626
00:24:38,990 --> 00:24:40,159
I went to DC.
627
00:24:40,259 --> 00:24:43,031
I forced myself into rooms
I was never invited into.
628
00:24:43,131 --> 00:24:44,266
I educated myself.
629
00:24:44,366 --> 00:24:45,870
So it did.
630
00:24:45,970 --> 00:24:48,108
It took a lot away from all the
hard work that I put into it.
631
00:24:48,208 --> 00:24:51,816
Savannah was raised her
entire life to empower women--
632
00:24:51,916 --> 00:24:53,920
that she came from
a strong mother,
633
00:24:54,020 --> 00:24:57,794
a strong grandmother, and
women that are hard workers.
634
00:24:57,894 --> 00:25:00,600
And you don't ever talk
about another woman.
635
00:25:00,700 --> 00:25:01,902
You lift them up.
636
00:25:02,002 --> 00:25:05,342
It was so disheartening,
but not unexpected.
637
00:25:05,442 --> 00:25:08,248
Would I have slept with someone
to get one of my children home?
638
00:25:08,349 --> 00:25:10,821
I'd have sold
tickets to the show.
639
00:25:10,921 --> 00:25:12,658
But my daughter didn't
have to do that.
640
00:25:12,758 --> 00:25:15,028
Yeah, I did-- most
certainly did not.
641
00:25:15,128 --> 00:25:17,801
Seeing her do what she
did to get the pardon
642
00:25:17,901 --> 00:25:20,707
for you, how proud are you?
643
00:25:20,807 --> 00:25:22,476
I don't know that
I have the words yet.
644
00:25:22,577 --> 00:25:24,014
And I don't know
that I ever will.
645
00:25:24,114 --> 00:25:25,650
Is it unexpected for me?
646
00:25:25,750 --> 00:25:28,522
No, because I know the
daughter that I raised.
647
00:25:28,622 --> 00:25:30,627
I know the warrior
that she has become.
648
00:25:30,727 --> 00:25:32,798
I look at her
sometimes and I think,
649
00:25:32,898 --> 00:25:36,037
wow, I did a really good job.
650
00:25:36,137 --> 00:25:38,543
And then there's other
days where I think, uh,
651
00:25:38,643 --> 00:25:40,513
I may have done too good a job.
652
00:25:40,613 --> 00:25:42,083
[laughter]
653
00:25:42,183 --> 00:25:43,954
And mom may have had a little
bit to do with that as well.
654
00:25:44,054 --> 00:25:45,155
A lot.
655
00:25:45,255 --> 00:25:46,825
You know, according to
him, he gave birth to them
656
00:25:46,926 --> 00:25:48,195
and has done everything.
So I just--
657
00:25:48,295 --> 00:25:50,533
I said I have five,
and not one stretch mark.
658
00:25:50,633 --> 00:25:52,837
[laughter]
659
00:25:52,937 --> 00:25:55,810
Todd and Julie have paid
some of the $17 million
660
00:25:55,910 --> 00:25:57,313
in restitution they owed.
661
00:25:57,413 --> 00:26:00,352
They say they will try now
to get that money back.
662
00:26:00,452 --> 00:26:01,689
DAN ABRAMS: They
got really lucky.
663
00:26:01,789 --> 00:26:04,194
A jury convicted
them, and appeals
664
00:26:04,294 --> 00:26:05,963
court upheld the conviction.
665
00:26:06,063 --> 00:26:09,705
They can argue all they
want that it didn't happen.
666
00:26:09,805 --> 00:26:11,542
But a jury didn't buy it.
667
00:26:11,643 --> 00:26:14,080
And an appeals
court didn't buy it.
668
00:26:14,180 --> 00:26:15,683
But Donald Trump did.
669
00:26:15,783 --> 00:26:18,488
And they should be
incredibly grateful.
670
00:26:18,589 --> 00:26:20,492
There are some who feel
that you were convicted
671
00:26:20,593 --> 00:26:24,634
by a jury of your peers, that
the appeal was not granted,
672
00:26:24,735 --> 00:26:27,641
and that you didn't
serve your time.
673
00:26:27,741 --> 00:26:30,012
We were convicted by
a jury of our peers.
674
00:26:30,112 --> 00:26:31,281
Were we?
675
00:26:31,381 --> 00:26:34,655
I didn't see multi-millionaires
in that jury box.
676
00:26:34,755 --> 00:26:36,525
I didn't see people
that were in the film
677
00:26:36,625 --> 00:26:38,896
industry in that jury box.
678
00:26:38,996 --> 00:26:42,036
I saw people in a heavily
Democratic county.
679
00:26:42,136 --> 00:26:46,111
And a judge allowed them to
paint us as these white family
680
00:26:46,211 --> 00:26:50,820
who has white entitlement
and who has money to burn.
681
00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:53,158
Juju, we spend time
on talking about,
682
00:26:53,258 --> 00:26:56,330
what do you say to the
people that don't believe
683
00:26:56,430 --> 00:26:57,734
you should have gotten it?
684
00:26:57,834 --> 00:26:59,805
Do they feel that same
way about President Biden
685
00:26:59,905 --> 00:27:02,443
when he did just blanket
pardons before he
686
00:27:02,544 --> 00:27:04,515
walked out of the office?
687
00:27:04,615 --> 00:27:06,351
JUJU CHANG: President
Joe Biden did grant
688
00:27:06,451 --> 00:27:08,088
pardons before leaving office--
689
00:27:08,188 --> 00:27:11,427
most controversially,
for his son, Hunter.
690
00:27:11,528 --> 00:27:15,102
And he preemptively pardoned
other family members.
691
00:27:15,202 --> 00:27:18,609
You can be critical of
the pardon of Hunter Biden
692
00:27:18,709 --> 00:27:20,680
and also say that the
Chrisleys shouldn't
693
00:27:20,780 --> 00:27:21,949
have been pardoned, either.
694
00:27:22,049 --> 00:27:25,289
Each pardon has to
be viewed on its own.
695
00:27:25,389 --> 00:27:30,567
It is very difficult
to justify this pardon
696
00:27:30,667 --> 00:27:34,340
when you look at the
facts, the evidence,
697
00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:37,279
the legal history of this case.
698
00:27:37,379 --> 00:27:39,751
JUJU CHANG: Did you
ask Biden for a pardon?
699
00:27:39,851 --> 00:27:41,154
No, we did not.
700
00:27:41,254 --> 00:27:42,991
We had more pride than
to ask Biden for a pardon.
701
00:27:43,091 --> 00:27:44,426
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY:
And at that point,
702
00:27:44,527 --> 00:27:46,999
I had already been campaigning
for President Trump.
703
00:27:47,099 --> 00:27:50,640
So there was no way that he was
going to do anything to help us.
704
00:27:50,740 --> 00:27:53,178
I voted for Trump
in 2016, would
705
00:27:53,278 --> 00:27:55,416
have voted again had I
had the voting rights,
706
00:27:55,517 --> 00:27:56,752
which I now have again.
707
00:27:56,852 --> 00:27:58,890
So I can assure you, the
people that I dealt with
708
00:27:58,990 --> 00:28:02,263
in prison, no matter what their
political affiliation was--
709
00:28:02,363 --> 00:28:04,602
if they were given a
pardon, they would have
710
00:28:04,702 --> 00:28:06,171
welcomed it with open arms.
711
00:28:06,271 --> 00:28:08,976
Every Democrat in
prison loves President
712
00:28:09,076 --> 00:28:11,749
Trump if he's signing a pardon.
713
00:28:11,849 --> 00:28:13,986
JUJU CHANG: The Chrisleys
say their time behind bars
714
00:28:14,086 --> 00:28:17,260
has left a lasting mark,
largely thanks to the people
715
00:28:17,360 --> 00:28:19,297
they met inside prison.
716
00:28:19,397 --> 00:28:20,667
They stood in the lobby.
717
00:28:20,767 --> 00:28:24,775
And they chanted and
said, don't forget us.
718
00:28:24,875 --> 00:28:26,277
And I'm not.
719
00:28:26,377 --> 00:28:28,515
I will continue to fight for
each and every one of them
720
00:28:28,616 --> 00:28:32,089
and for their children and
for their spouses and parents.
721
00:28:32,189 --> 00:28:34,694
Because, as I said, if
you can be in a camp,
722
00:28:34,794 --> 00:28:36,899
you can be at home
on home confinement.
723
00:28:36,999 --> 00:28:39,738
I have met some amazing women.
724
00:28:39,839 --> 00:28:41,340
I've met some
women that I will--
725
00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:44,982
I will be friends with
till the day that I die.
726
00:28:45,082 --> 00:28:46,552
JUJU CHANG: Prison
reform has become
727
00:28:46,652 --> 00:28:51,729
a family mission now, no one
more passionate than Savannah.
728
00:28:51,829 --> 00:28:54,500
I didn't realize how
broken the system was.
729
00:28:54,602 --> 00:28:58,208
I thought bad people go to
prison, and that's what it was.
730
00:28:58,308 --> 00:29:00,279
And that is so
far from the truth
731
00:29:00,379 --> 00:29:05,021
because now I see all the broken
things in the system, where
732
00:29:05,121 --> 00:29:07,760
individuals have to be
rehabilitated, where we need
733
00:29:07,860 --> 00:29:10,266
mental health treatment
for these individuals,
734
00:29:10,366 --> 00:29:12,971
as well as giving
them job opportunities
735
00:29:13,071 --> 00:29:15,576
and advocating for them
when it comes to that.
736
00:29:15,676 --> 00:29:17,146
Would you work with
the other reality
737
00:29:17,246 --> 00:29:20,252
star, Kim Kardashian, who is
also a prison reform advocate?
738
00:29:20,352 --> 00:29:22,055
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY:
Hey, I never say never.
739
00:29:22,155 --> 00:29:24,327
The fact that Kim has
now gone to law school--
740
00:29:24,427 --> 00:29:25,630
it's absolutely amazing.
741
00:29:25,730 --> 00:29:29,370
And I believe that there's
never too many people to get
742
00:29:29,470 --> 00:29:30,673
together and implement change.
743
00:29:30,773 --> 00:29:32,744
When I saw you take
the stage at the RNC,
744
00:29:32,844 --> 00:29:34,614
I thought, hmm,
political career?
745
00:29:34,714 --> 00:29:35,884
[laughter]
746
00:29:35,984 --> 00:29:37,052
You know, I believe--
747
00:29:37,152 --> 00:29:37,887
We cringe.
748
00:29:37,987 --> 00:29:41,160
But we're kind of thinking, yes.
749
00:29:41,260 --> 00:29:44,233
There's been some talk
of a congressional run.
750
00:29:44,333 --> 00:29:48,007
I don't know if that will or
will not be the thing that I do
751
00:29:48,107 --> 00:29:49,644
or if it's what
I'm called to do.
752
00:29:49,744 --> 00:29:52,751
But also, I believe
right now, my goal
753
00:29:52,851 --> 00:29:55,255
is to speak to younger voters.
754
00:29:55,355 --> 00:29:57,259
JUJU CHANG: Now that the
Chrisleys are reunited,
755
00:29:57,359 --> 00:29:59,063
they're finding
their new normal.
756
00:29:59,163 --> 00:30:01,100
For Chloe, who's
now 12, it's been
757
00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:02,804
an especially tough few years.
758
00:30:02,904 --> 00:30:04,575
JULIE CHRISLEY: Well,
I said to Savannah--
759
00:30:04,675 --> 00:30:06,310
I said, she's so good.
760
00:30:06,410 --> 00:30:09,918
And Savannah said, Mom, she's
not the same child that I've had
761
00:30:10,018 --> 00:30:11,121
for the past 2 and 1/2 years.
762
00:30:11,221 --> 00:30:12,423
TODD CHRISLEY:
Because she was angry.
763
00:30:12,524 --> 00:30:13,759
She was angry.
764
00:30:13,859 --> 00:30:14,795
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: Chloe
was-- and it was just--
765
00:30:14,895 --> 00:30:16,197
I mean, what kid wouldn't be?
766
00:30:16,297 --> 00:30:19,771
You know, Chloe has had a
very difficult childhood
767
00:30:19,871 --> 00:30:21,608
in certain ways with
her biological parents,
768
00:30:21,708 --> 00:30:24,447
and then my parents leaving
her, the only parents
769
00:30:24,548 --> 00:30:25,983
she's ever known.
770
00:30:26,084 --> 00:30:29,724
And so she just-- anxiety,
depression, just all the things.
771
00:30:29,824 --> 00:30:31,160
And she's been in
therapy and has
772
00:30:31,260 --> 00:30:33,833
done such a good job at
working through her emotions
773
00:30:33,933 --> 00:30:35,736
and trying to express them.
774
00:30:35,836 --> 00:30:37,239
JUJU CHANG: For
Savannah, she says
775
00:30:37,340 --> 00:30:40,445
she's navigating the transition
from being a parent of two
776
00:30:40,546 --> 00:30:42,349
back to a single young woman.
777
00:30:42,449 --> 00:30:44,555
How do you hand that
back over, right?
778
00:30:44,655 --> 00:30:45,890
Easily.
779
00:30:45,990 --> 00:30:47,192
She literally walked by
Grayson the other day.
780
00:30:47,292 --> 00:30:48,629
And she said, uh-- ask
your mom and daddy.
781
00:30:48,729 --> 00:30:49,999
They're home.
782
00:30:50,099 --> 00:30:51,602
Well, they'll still
text me and be like, hey,
783
00:30:51,702 --> 00:30:53,640
can my friend come over, or can
I go to my friend's this, that?
784
00:30:53,740 --> 00:30:55,876
And I'm like, ask mom.
785
00:30:55,976 --> 00:30:57,848
JUJU CHANG: Savannah had
been in a relationship
786
00:30:57,948 --> 00:31:00,151
with former football
player Robert Shiver, who
787
00:31:00,251 --> 00:31:04,226
made headlines in 2023 after his
ex-wife was arrested for trying
788
00:31:04,326 --> 00:31:06,330
to hire a hitman to kill him.
789
00:31:06,430 --> 00:31:07,667
She pled not guilty.
790
00:31:07,768 --> 00:31:10,607
The last time I saw you, you
had a serious relationship.
791
00:31:10,707 --> 00:31:11,575
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: Yes.
792
00:31:11,675 --> 00:31:12,610
Not so much anymore?
793
00:31:12,710 --> 00:31:13,445
No.
794
00:31:13,546 --> 00:31:15,015
No, not so much.
795
00:31:15,115 --> 00:31:17,019
But honestly, I believe that
people come in your life right
796
00:31:17,119 --> 00:31:18,187
when you need them.
797
00:31:18,288 --> 00:31:21,160
And Robert and I
are on great terms.
798
00:31:21,260 --> 00:31:23,999
I'm going to get back
to my everyday life.
799
00:31:24,099 --> 00:31:27,507
And whether Robert's a part
of that or not, who knows?
800
00:31:27,607 --> 00:31:29,410
I'd like to say never say never.
801
00:31:29,511 --> 00:31:30,479
So--
802
00:31:30,580 --> 00:31:32,249
JUJU CHANG: It must
be exciting, though,
803
00:31:32,349 --> 00:31:34,788
to be able to return to the
carefree life of a 28-year-old.
804
00:31:34,888 --> 00:31:36,156
Yes, that's what
I keep saying.
805
00:31:36,257 --> 00:31:37,894
I'm like, I'm
moving into a condo.
806
00:31:37,994 --> 00:31:39,163
And they're like, don't
you-- aren't you going
807
00:31:39,263 --> 00:31:40,633
to miss the house, X, Y, and Z?
808
00:31:40,733 --> 00:31:42,169
I said, no, no.
809
00:31:42,269 --> 00:31:43,639
I've been to your house.
810
00:31:43,739 --> 00:31:44,941
SAVANNAH CHRISLEY: I'm not
going to miss landscapers.
811
00:31:45,041 --> 00:31:46,578
I'm not going to
miss pool people.
812
00:31:46,678 --> 00:31:49,283
I have learned that a house
is not a priority to her.
813
00:31:49,383 --> 00:31:49,918
No.
814
00:31:50,018 --> 00:31:51,120
I was raising kids.
815
00:31:51,220 --> 00:31:53,458
Maintenance is not
a priority to her.
816
00:31:53,559 --> 00:31:55,997
He comes in and is critiquing
everything in the house.
817
00:31:56,097 --> 00:31:57,600
And I'm like, you
literally-- like,
818
00:31:57,700 --> 00:31:59,904
I was fighting for y'all for 2
and 1/2 years and raising kids.
819
00:32:00,004 --> 00:32:01,675
I think that the
floors are fine.
820
00:32:01,775 --> 00:32:03,044
[laughter]
821
00:32:03,144 --> 00:32:04,480
JUJU CHANG: As for
Julie and Todd,
822
00:32:04,581 --> 00:32:07,854
they're setting their sights
on a new Southern city.
823
00:32:07,954 --> 00:32:10,326
Are you going to
stay in Nashville?
824
00:32:10,426 --> 00:32:12,764
You know, I think we
will probably always
825
00:32:12,864 --> 00:32:14,366
have a presence in Nashville.
826
00:32:14,466 --> 00:32:17,908
But I have a pull for Julie and
I to go back to South Carolina,
827
00:32:18,008 --> 00:32:19,477
to Charleston, to that area.
828
00:32:19,578 --> 00:32:21,615
And we have plans for
what we want to do.
829
00:32:21,715 --> 00:32:24,153
Can you share us the
broad strokes of the plans?
830
00:32:24,253 --> 00:32:26,825
We have hopes of
acquiring a mansion there
831
00:32:26,925 --> 00:32:28,395
that we're going to
convert into a hotel.
832
00:32:28,495 --> 00:32:30,365
And we're going to create
a show around that.
833
00:32:30,465 --> 00:32:32,236
JUJU CHANG: And once
again, they'll be doing
834
00:32:32,336 --> 00:32:34,073
it all with cameras rolling.
835
00:32:34,173 --> 00:32:36,812
The family has a new
show on Lifetime, which
836
00:32:36,912 --> 00:32:38,950
began filming during
Savannah's campaign
837
00:32:39,050 --> 00:32:40,920
to win her parents' freedom.
838
00:32:41,020 --> 00:32:43,893
The idea of, like,
flaunting your wealth
839
00:32:43,993 --> 00:32:46,097
is probably less of a priority.
840
00:32:46,197 --> 00:32:48,234
We lived that way before
the cameras started.
841
00:32:48,335 --> 00:32:50,105
You know, we-- Julie
and I both came
842
00:32:50,205 --> 00:32:51,742
from very humble beginnings.
843
00:32:51,842 --> 00:32:53,311
I worked every day.
844
00:32:53,411 --> 00:32:55,114
Every day of my
life, I've worked.
845
00:32:55,214 --> 00:32:56,952
Julie has worked
right beside me.
846
00:32:57,052 --> 00:32:59,123
Why am I not allowed
to have the benefit
847
00:32:59,223 --> 00:33:00,560
of the fruits of our labor?
848
00:33:00,660 --> 00:33:02,931
I don't have an apology
to give you or anyone else
849
00:33:03,031 --> 00:33:05,736
over the money that I've made.
850
00:33:05,836 --> 00:33:09,477
JUJU CHANG: The Chrisleys' brand
remains unapologetically lavish.
851
00:33:09,578 --> 00:33:11,749
But the question is,
will viewers welcome
852
00:33:11,849 --> 00:33:12,951
them back into their homes?
853
00:33:13,051 --> 00:33:14,253
JULIE CHRISLEY:
There were people
854
00:33:14,353 --> 00:33:15,956
that loved Chrisley Knows Best.
855
00:33:16,057 --> 00:33:17,459
Then there are
people that didn't.
856
00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:20,833
You know, so I think you had
to develop this thick skin
857
00:33:20,933 --> 00:33:22,369
when you're in television.
858
00:33:22,470 --> 00:33:25,275
I've always told my children
that it doesn't matter what
859
00:33:25,375 --> 00:33:29,784
someone else's opinion is of you
unless it causes you to question
860
00:33:29,884 --> 00:33:31,254
who you are at your core.
861
00:33:31,354 --> 00:33:33,993
No one's opinion of me has
ever caused me to question
862
00:33:34,093 --> 00:33:35,328
who I am at the core.
863
00:33:35,428 --> 00:33:37,633
So I don't worry about
someone else's opinion.
864
00:34:25,195 --> 00:34:28,401
[soft music]
865
00:34:53,552 --> 00:34:57,860
[audio logo]