The Chrisley family's fractured family tree: Which of Todd's children is he estranged from?
Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are dealing with a heap of legal trouble, but drama is not new to them. It’s long been hitting home — and it’s ugly.
As the pair pleaded not guilty to tax evasion and other federal charges this week, there’s a spotlight on their family, which has been plagued with estrangements and other problems, making for good reality TV. In particular, the drama centers around Todd’s two children, Lindsie and Kyle, from his first marriage to Teresa Chrisley Terry. Todd and Julie also have three children together: Chase, Savannah and Grayson.
Lindsie is deeply estranged from the Chrisley crew — and it’s an ugly situation
Since the indictment news came out, it’s been revealed that Todd’s daughter Lindsie Chrisley Campbell — who has been estranged from the Chrisley crew for two years — filed a police report against her dad and half-brother Chase in July claiming the men harassed her and threatened to release her alleged sex tape with a star from The Bachelorette if she didn't lie about an incident related to the now well-known tax charges against Todd and Julie.
There has been a lot of back and forth since. Todd denied Lindsie’s claim, but in the same an unnamed source said that he thinks Lindsie was behind his indictment. Her attorney strongly denied that, saying, “Lindsie has been a constant target of lies, harassment and threats from her family and as a result, has been distancing herself from the Chrisley family since 2017.”
But then it got worse. In a statement on Thursday, Todd named not one but two former Bachelorette contestants that he claimed Lindsie — who is married — had affairs with.
“It’s heartbreaking and shameful that these kinds of accusations have to be aired in public. We have tried to keep Lindsie’s extramarital relationships with Robby Hayes and Josh Murray private for her sake since August of 2016,” he said. “Sadly, for reasons we can only guess at, she ran to the sheriff’s office to accuse her brother of buying a sex tape of her and Robby, which was a complete lie, and now she’s telling more lies about me. Although our hearts are broken, Lindsie is our daughter and we will always love her.”
Chase put out his own statement: “I love my sister and I don’t understand why she’s doing this to our family. Not only am I heartbroken over these false allegations by my sister — and they are totally false — but so are my parents and the rest of our family.”
That led to Lindsie’s attorney speaking out on her behalf, saying, “Lindsie would like nothing more than to be left alone and go about her own business. Unfortunately, certain members of her family will not let her live in peace. We are flabbergasted at the audacity of Todd and Chase Chrisley, who are more focused on attacking my client rather than defending themselves against the allegations of criminal conduct. While it is not necessary to detail their repugnant actions, it is important to note that the allegations are of serious crimes against Lindsie. Lindsie has made a complaint of their acts to law enforcement, and she will provide them whatever they need in the course of their investigation into her family’s actions. Lindsie prays for a just outcome so that she can go forward with her life safe from those who are looking to do her harm.”
And The Bachelorette’s Josh Murray addressed the purported affair. After saying that he and Lindsie have “been friends for years,” he threw a jab in Todd’s direction."I know Todd and his family are going through some tough times right now and I pray everything works out in their favor. They should probably focus on how not to be imprisoned for 30 years rather than spreading gossip to try and hurt their daughter. I truly believe they are good people and I wish them the best in however they choose to go about their actions."
Lindsie left the family reality show in 2017 amid reports of a strained relationship with her father and Julie, who adopted her. On her podcast Coffee Convo, Lindsie said she the estrangement stemmed from her feeling “like an outcast” among the Chrisley clan. “Even though they didn’t make me feel like that intentionally, I just felt that way.” While Julie adopted her, Lindsie said, “I always felt like something wasn’t whole.”
Todd also reportedly was unhappy when she was married in 2012 — and it was another reason behind the father-daughter turmoil. Lindsie and her husband, Will Campbell, who share a son, split in 2016, but worked things out and got back together.
Kyle was — but no longer is — estranged too
Meanwhile, Lindsie’s brother Kyle — also from Todd’s first marriage — was famously estranged from the family, but he no longer is amid the indictment.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Kyle wrote that, while he bashed his father in an interview a year ago, that was all a “lie” and said his “drug addiction” was to blame because it caused a rift between him and his father, who was just trying to help him. He said they made amends nine months ago with his dad welcoming him back ”with open arms.”
Kyle said, “I will continue to stand as a united front alongside my mom, my dad, and the rest of my family. My hope is that my sister Lindsie will seek the same forgiveness from my daddy as I have, that he is able to forgive her, and that my family will one day be whole again.”
In the same post, Kyle said Lindsie and their biological mother, Teresa, were responsible for Todd and Julie’s tax evasion drama, saying the women reported Todd to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Lindsie, through her lawyer, denied any part in her father’s indictment — and she wasn’t receptive to Kyle’s plea to make amends with the family. In fact, this was her tweet after he posted his Facebook message.
If his mouth is moving a lie is coming out of it. But that’s none of my business 🐸 ??
— L i n d s i e C h r i s l e y (@LindsieChrisley) August 15, 2019
Todd’s bitter past with first wife Teresa
Todd’s first wife has been dragged into this — with Kyle claiming she and Lindsie told authorities to look into Todd’s financials — and the exes had a bitter past.
In 2014, she gave an interview to the tabloid the Daily Mail claiming Todd was abusive toward her. They were high school sweethearts in South Carolina and when she became pregnant at 19, they got married. In court documents filed when she left him, she accused him of “mental and physical abuse” and “battering” her on multiple occasions, including once with a “closed fist” after he stripped her naked. Another time she claimed he “wielded a knife threatening to kill her.”
Todd denied all the claims. The pair separated in 1994, divorcing two years later, and went on to remarry and have more children. They had multiple custody battles over the children, Teresa said, but ultimately the children lived primarily with him as she claimed he could provide more materially.
Presumably, she gave up legal rights to at least Lindsie, who said that Julie later adopted her.
Todd and Julie’s other children
Todd and Julie’s three children together are Chase — whom Lindsie claims played a role in the purported purchase and threatened release of her sex tape — Savannah and Grayson.
Chase is described on USA’s website as “the favorite” of Todd and Julie’s kids as well as a “mini version of Todd.” He is known for having get-rich quick schemes — which, with the focus on the Chrisley finances are hopefully all on the up and up.
Amid the drama with his parents and older sister, he posted this on Twitter:
Can’t wait for everyone to hear the truth
— Chase Chrisley (@ChrisleyChase) August 13, 2019
Savannah is a “pageant queen,” while youngest Grayson is “the most charming and gets away with just about everything.”
Amid the drama, Savannah made it clear who her “FAMILY” is in a family photo sans her half-siblings:
They’ve all been flashing their wealth on Chrisley Knows Best since it debuted in 2014. And they seemingly will continue to do so. While it was reported the show was going to be canceled amid the indictment, it’s untrue. This season debuted in May and will run through fall. These headlines, while definitely negative press, will probably only boost ratings.
What’s next for Todd and Julie?
As reported, the Chrisley Knows Best pair pleaded not guilty to tax evasion and other federal charges. They surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and were released on $100,000 appearance bonds. Their travel will be restricted to Atlanta and areas of Tennessee and California where they film their reality show. However, they have to clear it with the court first.
They have maintained their innocence and claim they were set up by a trusted employee who orchestrated an elaborate theft. Leaving court on Wednesday, a lawyer for the couple said, "We're going to fight it and we're going to win it. They are innocent of every single charge."
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper discuss loss in an emotional interview
Ian Ziering feared he'd never work again after 'Sharknado': 'This is the end'
Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle’s newsletter.