July 9, 2025 • 46 mins
Reigndrops, welcome to Reali-TEA Crime Stories! Each week, hosts Carlos King and Courtney Parker take you on a deep dive into the legal drama surrounding your favorite reality and entertainment stars. With hard facts, courtroom receipts, and expert guests with real legal cred, this is the real deal.
What’s on the docket today? The Chrisley Family and their headline-making legal saga. Tune in and follow along for all the juicy details!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Reality with the King is hosted by me, Carlos King.
I'm an executive producer who have produced some of your
favorite shows from the Real Housewives in Atlanta, New Jersey
and my own creation, The Love and Marriage Franchise and
Bell Collective. Every episode we recap reality television from the
Real Housewives Franchise to The Bachelor or Selling Sunset, in
(00:27):
addition to celebrity guests, whether in the unscripted space or
scripted as well. Hi, rain drops of today's episode of
Reality Crime Stories. I am back with my co host,
Courtney Parker, who is a true crime expert based on
her decades long career. Not only describing for the Law
(00:51):
and Order Franchise under the Legiondary Dick Whobb, she has
also executive produced and created several true crime shows for
different networks from Oxygen to TV one with her production
company Lost and Thought Productions.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Give it up rain Drops for the Courtney Parker.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
My co hosts and I are going to dive into
the Chris Lees. In addition to Gia Judais, Yes, the
daughter of my dear friend Teresa Judais, who wants to
get Trump to pardon her dad. But before we get
to all of that, I do want to start off
talking about as you can hear Courtney in the background
(01:36):
lapping because she's like, what is going on, Carlos with
not only your housewives, but the reality stars at Trump.
Because Courtney, politics and reality are the intersection of pop culture.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Well especially with this particular president who was a reality
star himself.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
So in case you've been living under a rock, as
you all know, top Chrisly and his wife were parting
recently due to the sort of massive work that their daughter,
Savanna undertook is speaking with President Trump to get them pardon,
(02:15):
So Todd and Julie Chris Lee having pardon. So today
we're gonna flip the formata bit rain jobs and give
you guys a true crime breakdown regarding the case and
crime of the Chris Lies. We're calling today's episode white Collar,
White Lives, White.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Privilege, question mark.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
We're discussing everything from what they did, how they got caught,
what the courtroom drama looked like, and the wild way
they ended up back on the streets living their life
of luxury and likely with the cameras not too far behind.
And as you know, I'm the king of reality television
I can. I'm not gonna say confirm child because everything's allegend.
(02:59):
But I know some folks who were there to capture
their release and they definitely have.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Cams and they face Courtney. We'll get into that too.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
But look, when it comes to Todd and Julie Chris Lee,
they had their picture perfect stuff in life, or so
the public thought. From reality show royalty to federal prison inmates.
The stars of Christly Knows Best were convicted of their
frauding banks out of more than thirty million dollars and
(03:31):
hiding their real income excuse me from the irs while
flogting a lavish lifestyle home TV. But now they're walking
away from that conviction, or at least shaving some serious
time off thanks.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
So pardon from the Trump administration.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
So in this episode Range Drops, we will pull back
the curtain of how the chris Lee's put off this
fraud in the first place, what really happened the investigation
and trial, and why their sensus of reduction has so
many people side eyeing the system. And yes, late in
the episode, we will get in to Jia Judaice from
(04:11):
the Real Housewives of New Jersey and the New Bravos
show next jen NYC, which is Courtney's new favorite show.
Who was going to follow up Savannah's Footsteps, who was
also writing Trump to get her father Joe Judice release,
So Courtney, I mean not released pardon. So Corney, let's
get into it.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
What is going on? Courtney? As we talk about this case.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
You know, for me, this isn't just about reality stars
that we like and we love. It's really about literally
a system that is protecting famous convicted felons of their
TV popularity versus a system of criminals that it doesn't protect.
(05:03):
We talked about that early on how Trump is pardoning
personalities TV personalities, and literally it's overturning convictions of the
jury of their actual peers that have found them guilty
of these crimes. We're not talking about people who didn't
do anything. We're talking about people who went through the
(05:28):
federal system, due diligence was done and they were found
guilty and sentenced to years behind bars. So this is,
you know, a deep dive into does white privilege come
into play, does celebrity more so come into play, and
(05:52):
really getting into convictions being overturned just because cameras are
rolling and dances are watching.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah, so let's get into the timeline of what happened
over the thirteen years.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Some rain drops listen up.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Between twenty twelve and two thy sixteen. These are the
crimes and charges allegedly throughout the four year span. While
filming these shows, the Chris Lees allegedly secured over thirty
million dollars in loans using fabricated documents, false bank statements,
(06:29):
inflated income, fake credit reports, and income summaries to secure loans.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Thirty million dollars in loans on top of that, like
it from the start, you and I both know just
from being in reality TV producing these things. When you're
vetting these kinds of characters, sometimes the embellishment of their
lifestyles is just that it's embellishment. And so for the
(07:02):
Chris Lies, very very early on, insiders were saying all
wasn't what met the eye, like people were saying, there
was an exaggeration of this lavish lifestyle. And so we
know the term keeping up with Jones is the Chris
Lies were trying to keep up with the Chris Lies
and the Joneses by fabricating. According to these alleged crimes,
(07:29):
fabricating their income, exaggerating what they have and building it
over the span of both Georgia and Tennessee. This lifestyle,
this lavish lifestyle, this rich lifestyle that when it was
all said and done, just was not true. And like
I said, going early on into this, when I talked
(07:52):
to producers kind of associated with their rise back in
twenty fourteen, they were saying, weren't on the street then
was it's exaggerated, like they weren't as wealthy as they
were pretending to be, even though we know that they
(08:13):
probably acquired a lot of wealth by way of the show.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
So what has been alleged to I mean, listen, they
were convicted, they've since been pardoned, So we're saying allege
to everybody, because listen, I know a lawyer. I did
attend a few courses at the Epany K. Williams University
of Law for the past seven weeks, but you know
I'm still learning. So if I say alleged child, that's
(08:40):
the reason why. But Courtney is alleged that during the
four years twenty twelve to twenty sixteen that they hit
income from the IRS using a production company owned in
Julie's name to evade paying taxes all to support the
life style, and that in twenty nineteen, while they were
(09:03):
filming The Chrislies and the spin offs, growing Up Chrisly
and was cooking with Julie Chrisly that that's when an
investigation was launched when a disgruntled former employee submitted forged
financial documents to prosecutors and claimed that the Cup was
(09:23):
operating a scheme across scream at that.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
So talk us about that because.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
It was a foreign employee who alleged that he also was,
you know, allegedly in a intimate relationship with Todd, who
is of course married to Julie.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Listen, there are there's so many layers to the Chrislies
that we've heard that have been alleged and that we
know from the process of this crime unfolded, the process
of us being able to watch them in their day
to day lives, their their rise to fame, as well
(10:10):
as seeing how their family operates. So when you have
people that are becoming famous in our eyes and in
our minds, there has been no secret of their quote
unquote open marriage. There have been questions of his sexuality
(10:31):
as he's professed his love in maintaining this family they've
called Julie. Everything from his beard to his backing to
this was all stage for the cameras suite rolling from
my I was a fan of the show. I've been
(10:52):
a fan of this family because they were like the
Southern Kardashians, and so I watched and tuned in just
like everyone else. So when these charges that came down,
which are serious allegations, and we hear of this whistleblower
kind of blowing the cap off of this these alleged crimes.
(11:18):
He came with all of his receipts. He came with
the fabrications of these documents. He came with, These are
the fraudulent bank statements to secure over thirty million dollars
in loans. He came with so much receipts that were
subsequently and allegedly supported by his daughter, Todd's daughter from
(11:44):
a previous marriage, coroborated, allegedly cooborated with with the FBI
and the irs when all of this was going down.
So they, you know, the stage eight and the cities never,
the state never, and the FEDS never look to seek
(12:10):
an indictment if they don't have actual facts. And so
the whistleblower was just it was. It went beyond disgruntle
and went into this is just wrong, this is fabricated,
this is fraud.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
This is insane.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Because in August thirteenth and twenty nineteenth, like Cortney said,
that's when the Federal Grand Jury in Atlanta indicted Todd
and Jilly on twelve counts. Okay, so the twelve counts
includes conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, WI You're fraud,
conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax evasion. August
(12:53):
fourteenth and twenty nineteen is when Todd and Jilly turned
themselves in to the FBI in Atlanta and made their
first court appearance in the US District Court the same day,
and they pled not guilty. That same day, they were
released on a one hundred thousand dollars unsecured bond in
order to limit travel and avoid contact with witnesses. So
(13:18):
the thing is this, when it comes to the million
dollar question, right, reality stars launting a certain lifestyle on
the show and possibly allegedly with holding money to perpetuate
this lifestyle. What are your thoughts in terms of buying
(13:45):
into the fact that is it.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
The reality star who fills the need to keep up
with the Jones.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Is is it the audience desired to see more of
a wealthy lifestyle that makes these people make these decisions
and coordiny?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Based on what I read, tell me this is you
or not. Allegedly these.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Tax invasions did not occur until.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
They were on the show. Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (14:17):
No? Well, and see from my research and what I've
been reading, there was a case. This all started on
once they started filming, So it's far season right, the
first season the Feds were building a case. It wasn't
until twenty nineteen that there were actual facts to support
(14:44):
this bank fraud. This fraud, this thirty because you have
to understand it's going to take a moment to accumulate
thirty million dollars worth of bank fraud. They deep a
fraud it several banks over a period of time the show.
(15:04):
If you're using your production company to kind of hide
money to showcase that hey, we've got these contracts, because
again it was based off of false bank statements, So
this was an accumulation of time, This was accumulation of documents.
(15:26):
I did as much of a deep dive as possible
to see if the alleged employee was a producer worked
for the chris Lees directly somehow he had access to
when I do realize it was a I did find
out that it was a mail had access to these
documents in order to submit them to both the IRS
(15:50):
and the FBI. So this was over a period of time.
It looks to me as more wealth. The more wealth
they acquired, the more fame they acquired, the more dirt
they were doing to secure these to secure these finances
(16:11):
to fund this lifestyle, which doesn't really make sense, Carlos,
because the more famous they became, the more endorsements they had,
the more spinoffs that they had, and the more opportunity.
But it really does go to show you that no
matter how much money you have, people in certain positions
(16:31):
always want more. And I think it was the greed
that inevitably got them super caught up.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
This is reality with the King, and I'm Carlos King.
Let's get back into the show. So during the trial,
obviously the Colvin was a parent doing this, which led
to some delays and yeah, but the trial did begin
in May of twenty two, so in federal court in Atlanta,
(17:03):
the trial opens up a prosecutors laying out the scheme
in detail, forge baked statements, I'm sorry forges, bing records,
fake credit scodes, and secret emails. Some of the evidence
included whistleblower documents, emails from top requesting falsify financial info,
win his testimony with former staffers. The defense tried to
(17:28):
argue that the chris Leies were misled by the accountant.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
The jury wasn't buying it.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
June seventh of twenty twenty two is when Courtney they
were found guilty on allcounts, all counts, after three weeks
of testimony. The jury finds both Time and Julie guilty.
Shock public milkdown. Savannah went on social media to defend
her parents. The sentencing was delayed between October and November
(17:57):
twenty twenty two. Again, some of this delay was COVID related.
On November twenty first of twenty twenty two, that's when
Todd was sentenced to twelve years in prison plus sixteen
months probation. Julie was sentenced to seven years in prison
(18:18):
plus sixteen months probation.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Judge Eleanor Ross.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Called it a deliberate, long running scheme and emphasized the
lack of remorse right.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Because immediately when they were charged. Todd himself went on
the defense. Julie supported the defense in saying that they
blamed the other person. They blamed the whistleblower, they blamed
Todd publicly kind of blamed his daughter from a previous marriage,
Lindsey chris Lee. But no matter what, there was a
(18:55):
lot of evidence. They still could never give way to
or explain the emails that came from Todd saying Hey,
falsify these documents. This is what I'm up to. And
they had bank statements, the actual bank statements versus the
bank statements that were submitted for these loans, so they
(19:18):
had them on that. Their defense, however, was very crafty
in delaying this. Now. No one knew in twenty nineteen
that COVID was right around the corner. But part of
their strategy was to use this to delay, delay, delay,
and during the delay, and I wanted to get your
(19:41):
take on this, the cameras were still rolling. We didn't
get the illustrious Purp walk. We didn't get to see
necessarily them interply, them going back and forth to court.
So although we didn't get to see that play out
on camera, what we did get to see is headlines
(20:04):
their reaction to the things that were happening around them,
while USA will silently just keep continuing to renew them.
Because keep in mind, they've been building their case since
twenty sixteen. They actually were indicted in twenty nineteen, the
trial happened. We have now we're in from twenty twelve
(20:29):
or twenty fourteen to twenty nineteen, we've had seven seasons
of the Presleys before they actually go to jail to
start their sentence. They have Finoffs, grown up Presley. They
Julie have the cook you know, a cooking show. So
they have all of these things and they're interacting with
(20:51):
society as if nothing happened. They're avoiding these headlines. The
headlines are actually helping them because it's extending their popularity.
And all the while we're like, with the cameras rolling,
did that feed the beast or did it help protect
(21:14):
them or set them up for these potential pardons.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Yeah, well that leads me to this because you know
they were sentenced November twenty first of twenty twenty two.
January seventeenth of twenty twenty three is when they reported
to prison. Tod began his sentencing at Federal prison Camp
Penscola and Florida. Julie reported to Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
(21:48):
The show stops production. They were separated. They also tried
to do an appeal. June twenty first, twenty twenty four,
the Eleventh Circlet upheld the Christmas convictions, but sent Julie's
case back for resentencing, reaffirming her seven year sentence.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
But being crazy, urge Carlos, because an appeals process and
not one but two jury said guilty on all accounts.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Which is fascinating. So Raine jobs.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
They did appeal their convictions, come sorry their convictions twice,
like Fortny said, the jury said, nope, we believe you.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Gods are still guilty.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
However, May twenty seventh to the twenty eighth of twenty
twenty five, President Trump granted full pardons to both Todd
and Julie, Chris Lee calling Savannah personally during an old
office call announcing the clemency. They were released from prison
(22:57):
just hours later, a million while the cams are rolling, allegedly,
but do you think this is a case of white privilege?
Do you think this is a case of the rich
and famous people getting off based on you being.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
The true crime expert, what are your thoughts on this?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Listen, nothing surprises me as producers, as a true crime producer, Listen,
nothing surprises me. It becomes sad because you have to
see it from both sides. In this case, there's not
a victim. There wasn't a murder. The the problem if
(23:45):
we were gonna just do this act per act, per act,
is they defrauded banks, and so inevitably our taxpayer dollars
pay for that. We suffer for that. Tax payers suffer
for that when you have these lengthy trials. What people
really don't realize is we pay for that, the United
(24:09):
States government, We the people inevitably pay for it. So
when you have someone who is a jury of their peers,
not ours, not our opinions, a jury of their peers
found them guilty on all twelve counts, not once, not twice.
(24:31):
I do think they're celebrity, and I do think it
does not hurt that they're white. But beyond just a
race thing, it becomes a crime thing. We're also talking
about a white collar crime. We're talking about crimes that
deal with banks, fraud, and money, and we're talking about
(24:55):
a president who is also a convicted Fellain for similar things,
pardoning these personalities based off of his opinion affair versus
our our actual facts of deep process. So for me,
(25:17):
I wonder, like so many critics, did what she had
to do, what Savannah had to do to secure this.
You're always thinking of, you know, did you promise you're firstborn?
Like what did you have to give up in order
to allow your parents to be set free?
Speaker 2 (25:38):
And then but this is not to cut you off,
but this was so fascinating.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
President Trump in his first term also pardon a few
convictions for Kim Kardashian, who was on the.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Case trying to release.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
A few African American individuals who she felt were wrongly
convicted or had a very tough sentencing and she wanted
to roll it back. There's an infamous picture of Kimberly
Noel Kardashian at the Oval office. Cordy said it behind Trump.
She never declared her association politically, whether she's the Democrat Republican,
(26:26):
But a lot of people said, if Kim Kardashian is
thanking the president for releasing these wrongfully convicted individuals, it's.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Good pr Now. Savannah chris Ley, the Christie's at one
point in time had the number one show in the world.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
So again, is it a case of this is great
pr for the president because if Diddy gets sentenced for
a lot of years, is did he somebody that will
look at Kimberly Kardashian, the Chris Lees and say, Trump
(27:06):
is the president of celebrities who he can help pardon
in order for us to be you know, freed, and
for him to have some support. Let's be clear, President
Trump has a plan after his four years are up,
and I do believe a lot of people listen, may
(27:30):
have to owe him favors.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Absolutely, listen. That's why we haven't seen so much stuff
come out in politics right now like they've I'm watching
everyone react to the Epstein files that we knew existed,
and now they're saying, oh, nothing exists. He was supposed
to be listed in them. Oh now he's not listed
(27:55):
in him. He's not listed in them at all. But
when we talk about privilege, and we have to talk
privilege and popularity go hand in hand. Those people who
were up for appeal that Kim Kardashian advocated for, it
was based their releases were contingent on her popularity, not
(28:18):
just their case, it took her advocating for them, buying
somewhat possible favors to get those releases. Regardless of those
releases happened for black people, they still happened by way
of her privilege and her being able to have the
(28:39):
ear of this popular popularity contest driven president. So when
we look at the case of Savannah advocating for her parents' clemency,
she was outright with her support of President Trump. Was
(29:00):
walking around at the RNC Republican National Convention wearing the
hat big advocate for I'm gonna do whatever it takes
to get my parents free even though they were guilty.
Now Todd and Julie remain you know, they say they pled,
(29:20):
not guilty, but they were found guilty twice. So there
becomes the bigger question that I have and that I
base so much of my opinion, not just on the facts,
but my opinion on is it fair when you have
been rightfully convicted and found guilty to be set free
(29:43):
due to your popularity.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Yeah, well, I think that's a fair question based upon
the fact that, you know, one of the things that
the Chrisly's case has shown us is the fact of love.
They play their inmm syst from day one. They never
wavered from it, ever wavered from it. Some people do feel,
(30:10):
meaning celebrities, that being famous has a lot of perps,
but in the court of law you are made an
example out of Teresa Judais was sentenced for a year
in prison due to something her husband did, but because
she signed documents that her husband put in front of.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Her face, she got a year.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
A lot of people felt everybody, all the legal experts
said that was super hard. They thought she would get
probation because no evidence showed that Teresa actively knew what.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Was going on and was helped orchestrating it.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
So a lot of people do feel Courtney in their defense,
that if you are a celebrity in the court of law,
you will be used as an example, which is why
Teresa's daughter, Jia Judais, who posted on her Instagram page
recently that she was writing a letter to President Trump
(31:05):
in order for her father to be pardoned so that
he's able Courtney to come back to the United States, right,
So go.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Ahead, And I think that is a very different thing
than what we're seeing with the Kreslies, primarily because they
served the time that was given to them. The difference
between Teresa and Joe versus Todd and Julie is they
(31:39):
served their time, they were found guilty. They you know,
they did the They did the time, and they're owning
their crime. Teresa, you know, even though she felt like
and the most of the public, including myself, felt like,
she shouldn't have gotten such a harsh uh what we
(32:01):
call the Martha Stewart treatment year, she did it. She
did it. She returned to grace from she returned from
her fall of grace, and now she is actively trying
to make a better way the crest. Listen, I think
it's ideal for Gia to just try to get her
(32:25):
father back into the USA, to see him, to have
a relationship. He doesn't have just one daughter, he has
they have four daughters together. So that is an ask
that if this popular president would pardon, would be a
(32:46):
worthy pardon because again, they they didn't plead not guilty.
They own the crimes that they did, and he was
he was sent away and he has ties not just
financial ties to the United States, he has family ties
(33:06):
to the United States. Sonna, It's gonna be interesting to
see how this plays out. The bigger question and concern though,
is what tone we're setting. But these reality stars that
are actually guilty of these crimes to now get slapped
on the wrist and able to keep their wealth and fortune.
(33:28):
Todd was recently quoted in saying, I'm not apologizing for
money I earned when two sets of jurors say, no,
you were, those emails came from you. Your accountant didn't
mislead you. The whistleblower that may have allegedly included his
(33:50):
daughter all said these things occurred, and now you're backshop
and living your life of luxury as if this didn't happen.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
Getting back to Jia.
Speaker 1 (34:03):
So just so I'm able to explain to the range
jobs what happened. As you all know, Joe Judas, Teresa
judai Sis ex husband was deported in twenty nineteen after
spending forty one months behind bars for mail while you're
a bankruptcy fraud. Jia with her Instagram she's twenty four
(34:25):
years old, she shared a passionate plea to President Trump
asking for him to bring her dad home.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Courtney.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
She said, I quote, my name is Jia judaics I'm
the daughter of Joe Judas, and today I'm using my
voice for something deeply personal, not just as a public figure,
but as a daughter who deeply who.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
Deeply misses her dad.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
Jia said her family has lived in an emotional limbo
ever since her father's deportation, and adding Courtney and I quote,
no matter how strong we try to be, the absence
of a father, of a parent is something that never
stops hurting. She ben Courtney shows herself with the envelope
(35:16):
that she sent to the White House. She addressed it,
hashtaged it because she's a millennial child, hashtag bring Joe home, and.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
She in Coortney.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
She did say watching the Christly family receive a second
chance inspired me.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
It showed me that.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
People can be forgiven, that families can be restored, and
that sometimes the justice system.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
Has room for grace.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
Does Joe Judi's Courtney Parker deserve to come to the
United States.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
And be pardoned?
Speaker 3 (35:52):
I do now Again, I do feel what her request
is because again he did his time. They and Teresa
did her time. We're not talking about people who wanted,
who were looking for a way out. They actually did
their time. He's looking for a second chance. I don't
(36:14):
personally feel the Kresleys are given getting a second chance.
I believe they're getting a slap on the wrist because
the crime that they committed and were found guilty again
now once but twice, they didn't serve even half of
(36:35):
the length of the time that they actually got for
those twelve counts. Joe served his time and then was deported.
He has four daughters now living in the United States,
no matter if they're famous or not. Like she said,
she has been working. She's one of the stars of
this new show. She shouldn't be punished from not being
(36:59):
able to see her That, plus the other kids not
being able to see their father when they want to.
They can always go to Italy to visit him, but
it's not the same. So he shouldn't be completely ostracized
from the United States and out of his girl's life
(37:19):
for things that he has done, that he served his
time for and is building a better life where he
is now. I do think that if any pardons are
to be had, it should be for Joe. So I'm
on a gsteam saying hashtag free her Daddy Joe. Joe,
(37:44):
I'm I have to take a step back and just
say it. I'm cautious of how society is going. If
if fame is actually fair. Who else is going to
get slaps on the wrist and not be held accountable
for the things that they do, and we as reality
(38:07):
show producers capitalizing off of that. I know it makes
for great storyline. I'm assuming quickly that they will resume shooting.
We're going to follow the Kresleyes uh as with this
post conviction and since again he shows to do to
(38:33):
this day no remorse. He was doing an interview I
believe with people where he said where he talked very
openly about his own privilege and how people were in there.
He didn't he wasn't doing, you know, the the work
there because he was he refused to get paid uh
slave wagers. He just was like I'm better than this
(38:59):
and and no. And now that I'm out, he went shopping.
They got their roots done. I'm like, come on, it's.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Not the high lifestyle.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
It's like, come on, So what is that saying as society?
And what does that say about popularity? Even with the
respect to our industry of reality TV? Like what do
we do the cameras want to follow they should be
(39:31):
following because we want to know as audience members, but
as as just a consciousness of accountability. Do you believe
that production should take a stand or should production just
be fair to the stories unfolding at hand.
Speaker 2 (39:49):
Yes, well you know how I feel. I'm a journalist,
hey Porsche, and.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Similar to you, studied communication journalism in college. I I
believe in the ethics of journalism, which is your personal
opinion does not impact.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
The story how you feel.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
Barbara Walters interviewed so many people from mass murderers, the
Menandez brothers, dignitaries of other nations who have done some
horrible things.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
She never imposed her personal opinion. She got the story.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
I feel like that when it comes to reality television
my granted, with that being.
Speaker 2 (40:32):
Said, there are some elements of like.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
With that being said, I also do not believe at
all that people should be on camera spewing hate, racism, sexism.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
I don't believe in that at all. So I want
to make that very clear too.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
In this case of the chrislies being free, Listen, I
understand as producer, you're getting the story. Just like Barbara
Walters made sure she got the exclusive interview in prison
Courtney with the Menindaz brothers.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
She wanted the exclusive and cameras followed, is it.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
Getting alleged murderers promotion or are you or as a
media you're just telling the story. I'll follow one of
those guidelines, which is why I was definitely front and
center when Teresa was released from prison and the cameras
(41:36):
captured the moment she walked in the house and saw
her daughters, and there was not a dry eye in
the room.
Speaker 2 (41:43):
I would have done the same thing.
Speaker 1 (41:44):
So yeah, I feel like, listen, there's no one size
fit all approach for any of these situations. But I
definitely think fundamentally you have to look at the situation
and see if it's an opportunity.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
One more example would.
Speaker 1 (42:04):
Be I'm gonna butcher Butcher the name, but Courtney is
also somebody who watches lots of Lifetime in addition to.
Speaker 2 (42:16):
Documentary movies about people's lives.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
Is the woman who killed her mother because she was
drugged into thinking she was handicapped.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
And I've got her name.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (42:32):
I'm not on a second and she had a reality
show but she got released right Well.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
Listen, they're saying, Todd and Julie are already projecting their
future plans. The couple intends to launch a new lifetime
docuseries and convert a mansion into a hotel in South
Carolina so cameras will be watching. My concern is i'mse
(43:03):
Gypsy Rose. My concern like you, as a producer, I
think everybody is entitled to tell their story. As a person,
I do wonder about the message and messages we're sending
when someone's privilege is front and center and it's allowing
(43:30):
certain things to take precedence over real accountability for crimes
actually committed. In Jia's case, again, we saw them go
through everything they were that was handed to them, from
the sentencing to the deportation to the reconciliation. Because there's
(43:53):
still a lot of work that has to be done
to capture that in real time. Was a mon to
see this unfold, and trust me, I know both you
and I both will be watching to see it. But
they're also going to capitalize on the moment. And really
(44:16):
there's the gratitude from this administration from the Presley family
to the reward. I kind of worry about the reward
of these kind of gardents. But again, I'll be watching,
I'll be watching.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
You can already.
Speaker 3 (44:35):
See this is a massive storyline if you're going to
convert a mansion, you're going to deflect and then distract
us with this show where Todd is going to be Todd,
Julie is going to be Julie, and the kids are
going to be the kids. The reunion, I don't know
if I's USA or now which is peacock. NBC is
(44:59):
going to redo or renew or bring back the show
we'll all be watching. Do I think they deserve a
second chance. Perhaps everybody deserves the second chance. I just
wish from a legal standpoint, they would have been held
(45:19):
to greater accountability before we all just sit here and
celebrate their release.
Speaker 2 (45:25):
Yeah, no, one hundred. Since so they have been released.
Speaker 1 (45:28):
We will see when the show will be released, and listen.
Gia Judais got the post to stamp Child and went
to the local mailbox and.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
She sent it off this out right welcome out.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
Handbrint it hashtag bring Joe Home Child, in addition to
addressed it to sixteen hundred Sylvania happenue.
Speaker 2 (45:51):
After help me shall see what happens?
Speaker 1 (45:55):
And has more things unfold, Courtney Parker and I will
be back to give you guys more So, thank you
for another great episode of our weekly episode Reality Crimes
Stories with court Meey Parker.
Speaker 3 (46:12):
Thank you, Carlos, thank you, rain Drops.
Speaker 1 (46:16):
See you next week, next week. Reality with the King
is executive produced by Me Carlos King, produced by Lizzie Nimitz,
and a partnership.
Speaker 2 (46:29):
With the Lack Effect Network.
Speaker 1 (46:32):
You can also find us on my YouTube channel at
the Carlos King Underscore
Reality with the King is hosted by me, Carlos King.
I'm an executive producer who have produced some of your
favorite shows from the Real Housewives in Atlanta, New Jersey
and my own creation, The Love and Marriage Franchise and
Bell Collective. Every episode we recap reality television from the
Real Housewives Franchise to The Bachelor or Selling Sunset, in
(00:27):
addition to celebrity guests, whether in the unscripted space or
scripted as well. Hi, rain drops of today's episode of
Reality Crime Stories. I am back with my co host,
Courtney Parker, who is a true crime expert based on
her decades long career. Not only describing for the Law
(00:51):
and Order Franchise under the Legiondary Dick Whobb, she has
also executive produced and created several true crime shows for
different networks from Oxygen to TV one with her production
company Lost and Thought Productions.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Give it up rain Drops for the Courtney Parker.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
My co hosts and I are going to dive into
the Chris Lees. In addition to Gia Judais, Yes, the
daughter of my dear friend Teresa Judais, who wants to
get Trump to pardon her dad. But before we get
to all of that, I do want to start off
talking about as you can hear Courtney in the background
(01:36):
lapping because she's like, what is going on, Carlos with
not only your housewives, but the reality stars at Trump.
Because Courtney, politics and reality are the intersection of pop culture.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Well especially with this particular president who was a reality
star himself.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
So in case you've been living under a rock, as
you all know, top Chrisly and his wife were parting
recently due to the sort of massive work that their daughter,
Savanna undertook is speaking with President Trump to get them pardon,
(02:15):
So Todd and Julie Chris Lee having pardon. So today
we're gonna flip the formata bit rain jobs and give
you guys a true crime breakdown regarding the case and
crime of the Chris Lies. We're calling today's episode white Collar,
White Lives, White.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Privilege, question mark.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
We're discussing everything from what they did, how they got caught,
what the courtroom drama looked like, and the wild way
they ended up back on the streets living their life
of luxury and likely with the cameras not too far behind.
And as you know, I'm the king of reality television
I can. I'm not gonna say confirm child because everything's allegend.
(02:59):
But I know some folks who were there to capture
their release and they definitely have.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Cams and they face Courtney. We'll get into that too.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
But look, when it comes to Todd and Julie Chris Lee,
they had their picture perfect stuff in life, or so
the public thought. From reality show royalty to federal prison inmates.
The stars of Christly Knows Best were convicted of their
frauding banks out of more than thirty million dollars and
(03:31):
hiding their real income excuse me from the irs while
flogting a lavish lifestyle home TV. But now they're walking
away from that conviction, or at least shaving some serious
time off thanks.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
So pardon from the Trump administration.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
So in this episode Range Drops, we will pull back
the curtain of how the chris Lee's put off this
fraud in the first place, what really happened the investigation
and trial, and why their sensus of reduction has so
many people side eyeing the system. And yes, late in
the episode, we will get in to Jia Judaice from
(04:11):
the Real Housewives of New Jersey and the New Bravos
show next jen NYC, which is Courtney's new favorite show.
Who was going to follow up Savannah's Footsteps, who was
also writing Trump to get her father Joe Judice release,
So Courtney, I mean not released pardon. So Corney, let's
get into it.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
What is going on? Courtney? As we talk about this case.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
You know, for me, this isn't just about reality stars
that we like and we love. It's really about literally
a system that is protecting famous convicted felons of their
TV popularity versus a system of criminals that it doesn't protect.
(05:03):
We talked about that early on how Trump is pardoning
personalities TV personalities, and literally it's overturning convictions of the
jury of their actual peers that have found them guilty
of these crimes. We're not talking about people who didn't
do anything. We're talking about people who went through the
(05:28):
federal system, due diligence was done and they were found
guilty and sentenced to years behind bars. So this is,
you know, a deep dive into does white privilege come
into play, does celebrity more so come into play, and
(05:52):
really getting into convictions being overturned just because cameras are
rolling and dances are watching.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah, so let's get into the timeline of what happened
over the thirteen years.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Some rain drops listen up.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Between twenty twelve and two thy sixteen. These are the
crimes and charges allegedly throughout the four year span. While
filming these shows, the Chris Lees allegedly secured over thirty
million dollars in loans using fabricated documents, false bank statements,
(06:29):
inflated income, fake credit reports, and income summaries to secure loans.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Thirty million dollars in loans on top of that, like
it from the start, you and I both know just
from being in reality TV producing these things. When you're
vetting these kinds of characters, sometimes the embellishment of their
lifestyles is just that it's embellishment. And so for the
(07:02):
Chris Lies, very very early on, insiders were saying all
wasn't what met the eye, like people were saying, there
was an exaggeration of this lavish lifestyle. And so we
know the term keeping up with Jones is the Chris
Lies were trying to keep up with the Chris Lies
and the Joneses by fabricating. According to these alleged crimes,
(07:29):
fabricating their income, exaggerating what they have and building it
over the span of both Georgia and Tennessee. This lifestyle,
this lavish lifestyle, this rich lifestyle that when it was
all said and done, just was not true. And like
I said, going early on into this, when I talked
(07:52):
to producers kind of associated with their rise back in
twenty fourteen, they were saying, weren't on the street then
was it's exaggerated, like they weren't as wealthy as they
were pretending to be, even though we know that they
(08:13):
probably acquired a lot of wealth by way of the show.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
So what has been alleged to I mean, listen, they
were convicted, they've since been pardoned, So we're saying allege
to everybody, because listen, I know a lawyer. I did
attend a few courses at the Epany K. Williams University
of Law for the past seven weeks, but you know
I'm still learning. So if I say alleged child, that's
(08:40):
the reason why. But Courtney is alleged that during the
four years twenty twelve to twenty sixteen that they hit
income from the IRS using a production company owned in
Julie's name to evade paying taxes all to support the
life style, and that in twenty nineteen, while they were
(09:03):
filming The Chrislies and the spin offs, growing Up Chrisly
and was cooking with Julie Chrisly that that's when an
investigation was launched when a disgruntled former employee submitted forged
financial documents to prosecutors and claimed that the Cup was
(09:23):
operating a scheme across scream at that.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
So talk us about that because.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
It was a foreign employee who alleged that he also was,
you know, allegedly in a intimate relationship with Todd, who
is of course married to Julie.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Listen, there are there's so many layers to the Chrislies
that we've heard that have been alleged and that we
know from the process of this crime unfolded, the process
of us being able to watch them in their day
to day lives, their their rise to fame, as well
(10:10):
as seeing how their family operates. So when you have
people that are becoming famous in our eyes and in
our minds, there has been no secret of their quote
unquote open marriage. There have been questions of his sexuality
(10:31):
as he's professed his love in maintaining this family they've
called Julie. Everything from his beard to his backing to
this was all stage for the cameras suite rolling from
my I was a fan of the show. I've been
(10:52):
a fan of this family because they were like the
Southern Kardashians, and so I watched and tuned in just
like everyone else. So when these charges that came down,
which are serious allegations, and we hear of this whistleblower
kind of blowing the cap off of this these alleged crimes.
(11:18):
He came with all of his receipts. He came with
the fabrications of these documents. He came with, These are
the fraudulent bank statements to secure over thirty million dollars
in loans. He came with so much receipts that were
subsequently and allegedly supported by his daughter, Todd's daughter from
(11:44):
a previous marriage, coroborated, allegedly cooborated with with the FBI
and the irs when all of this was going down.
So they, you know, the stage eight and the cities never,
the state never, and the FEDS never look to seek
(12:10):
an indictment if they don't have actual facts. And so
the whistleblower was just it was. It went beyond disgruntle
and went into this is just wrong, this is fabricated,
this is fraud.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
This is insane.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Because in August thirteenth and twenty nineteenth, like Cortney said,
that's when the Federal Grand Jury in Atlanta indicted Todd
and Jilly on twelve counts. Okay, so the twelve counts
includes conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, WI You're fraud,
conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax evasion. August
(12:53):
fourteenth and twenty nineteen is when Todd and Jilly turned
themselves in to the FBI in Atlanta and made their
first court appearance in the US District Court the same day,
and they pled not guilty. That same day, they were
released on a one hundred thousand dollars unsecured bond in
order to limit travel and avoid contact with witnesses. So
(13:18):
the thing is this, when it comes to the million
dollar question, right, reality stars launting a certain lifestyle on
the show and possibly allegedly with holding money to perpetuate
this lifestyle. What are your thoughts in terms of buying
(13:45):
into the fact that is it.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
The reality star who fills the need to keep up
with the Jones.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Is is it the audience desired to see more of
a wealthy lifestyle that makes these people make these decisions
and coordiny?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Based on what I read, tell me this is you
or not. Allegedly these.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Tax invasions did not occur until.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
They were on the show. Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (14:17):
No? Well, and see from my research and what I've
been reading, there was a case. This all started on
once they started filming, So it's far season right, the
first season the Feds were building a case. It wasn't
until twenty nineteen that there were actual facts to support
(14:44):
this bank fraud. This fraud, this thirty because you have
to understand it's going to take a moment to accumulate
thirty million dollars worth of bank fraud. They deep a
fraud it several banks over a period of time the show.
(15:04):
If you're using your production company to kind of hide
money to showcase that hey, we've got these contracts, because
again it was based off of false bank statements, So
this was an accumulation of time, This was accumulation of documents.
(15:26):
I did as much of a deep dive as possible
to see if the alleged employee was a producer worked
for the chris Lees directly somehow he had access to
when I do realize it was a I did find
out that it was a mail had access to these
documents in order to submit them to both the IRS
(15:50):
and the FBI. So this was over a period of time.
It looks to me as more wealth. The more wealth
they acquired, the more fame they acquired, the more dirt
they were doing to secure these to secure these finances
(16:11):
to fund this lifestyle, which doesn't really make sense, Carlos,
because the more famous they became, the more endorsements they had,
the more spinoffs that they had, and the more opportunity.
But it really does go to show you that no
matter how much money you have, people in certain positions
(16:31):
always want more. And I think it was the greed
that inevitably got them super caught up.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
This is reality with the King, and I'm Carlos King.
Let's get back into the show. So during the trial,
obviously the Colvin was a parent doing this, which led
to some delays and yeah, but the trial did begin
in May of twenty two, so in federal court in Atlanta,
(17:03):
the trial opens up a prosecutors laying out the scheme
in detail, forge baked statements, I'm sorry forges, bing records,
fake credit scodes, and secret emails. Some of the evidence
included whistleblower documents, emails from top requesting falsify financial info,
win his testimony with former staffers. The defense tried to
(17:28):
argue that the chris Leies were misled by the accountant.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
The jury wasn't buying it.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
June seventh of twenty twenty two is when Courtney they
were found guilty on allcounts, all counts, after three weeks
of testimony. The jury finds both Time and Julie guilty.
Shock public milkdown. Savannah went on social media to defend
her parents. The sentencing was delayed between October and November
(17:57):
twenty twenty two. Again, some of this delay was COVID related.
On November twenty first of twenty twenty two, that's when
Todd was sentenced to twelve years in prison plus sixteen
months probation. Julie was sentenced to seven years in prison
(18:18):
plus sixteen months probation.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Judge Eleanor Ross.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Called it a deliberate, long running scheme and emphasized the
lack of remorse right.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Because immediately when they were charged. Todd himself went on
the defense. Julie supported the defense in saying that they
blamed the other person. They blamed the whistleblower, they blamed
Todd publicly kind of blamed his daughter from a previous marriage,
Lindsey chris Lee. But no matter what, there was a
(18:55):
lot of evidence. They still could never give way to
or explain the emails that came from Todd saying Hey,
falsify these documents. This is what I'm up to. And
they had bank statements, the actual bank statements versus the
bank statements that were submitted for these loans, so they
(19:18):
had them on that. Their defense, however, was very crafty
in delaying this. Now. No one knew in twenty nineteen
that COVID was right around the corner. But part of
their strategy was to use this to delay, delay, delay,
and during the delay, and I wanted to get your
(19:41):
take on this, the cameras were still rolling. We didn't
get the illustrious Purp walk. We didn't get to see
necessarily them interply, them going back and forth to court.
So although we didn't get to see that play out
on camera, what we did get to see is headlines
(20:04):
their reaction to the things that were happening around them,
while USA will silently just keep continuing to renew them.
Because keep in mind, they've been building their case since
twenty sixteen. They actually were indicted in twenty nineteen, the
trial happened. We have now we're in from twenty twelve
(20:29):
or twenty fourteen to twenty nineteen, we've had seven seasons
of the Presleys before they actually go to jail to
start their sentence. They have Finoffs, grown up Presley. They
Julie have the cook you know, a cooking show. So
they have all of these things and they're interacting with
(20:51):
society as if nothing happened. They're avoiding these headlines. The
headlines are actually helping them because it's extending their popularity.
And all the while we're like, with the cameras rolling,
did that feed the beast or did it help protect
(21:14):
them or set them up for these potential pardons.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Yeah, well that leads me to this because you know
they were sentenced November twenty first of twenty twenty two.
January seventeenth of twenty twenty three is when they reported
to prison. Tod began his sentencing at Federal prison Camp
Penscola and Florida. Julie reported to Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
(21:48):
The show stops production. They were separated. They also tried
to do an appeal. June twenty first, twenty twenty four,
the Eleventh Circlet upheld the Christmas convictions, but sent Julie's
case back for resentencing, reaffirming her seven year sentence.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
But being crazy, urge Carlos, because an appeals process and
not one but two jury said guilty on all accounts.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Which is fascinating. So Raine jobs.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
They did appeal their convictions, come sorry their convictions twice,
like Fortny said, the jury said, nope, we believe you.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Gods are still guilty.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
However, May twenty seventh to the twenty eighth of twenty
twenty five, President Trump granted full pardons to both Todd
and Julie, Chris Lee calling Savannah personally during an old
office call announcing the clemency. They were released from prison
(22:57):
just hours later, a million while the cams are rolling, allegedly,
but do you think this is a case of white privilege?
Do you think this is a case of the rich
and famous people getting off based on you being.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
The true crime expert, what are your thoughts on this?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Listen, nothing surprises me as producers, as a true crime producer, Listen,
nothing surprises me. It becomes sad because you have to
see it from both sides. In this case, there's not
a victim. There wasn't a murder. The the problem if
(23:45):
we were gonna just do this act per act, per act,
is they defrauded banks, and so inevitably our taxpayer dollars
pay for that. We suffer for that. Tax payers suffer
for that when you have these lengthy trials. What people
really don't realize is we pay for that, the United
(24:09):
States government, We the people inevitably pay for it. So
when you have someone who is a jury of their peers,
not ours, not our opinions, a jury of their peers
found them guilty on all twelve counts, not once, not twice.
(24:31):
I do think they're celebrity, and I do think it
does not hurt that they're white. But beyond just a
race thing, it becomes a crime thing. We're also talking
about a white collar crime. We're talking about crimes that
deal with banks, fraud, and money, and we're talking about
(24:55):
a president who is also a convicted Fellain for similar things,
pardoning these personalities based off of his opinion affair versus
our our actual facts of deep process. So for me,
(25:17):
I wonder, like so many critics, did what she had
to do, what Savannah had to do to secure this.
You're always thinking of, you know, did you promise you're firstborn?
Like what did you have to give up in order
to allow your parents to be set free?
Speaker 2 (25:38):
And then but this is not to cut you off,
but this was so fascinating.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
President Trump in his first term also pardon a few
convictions for Kim Kardashian, who was on the.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Case trying to release.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
A few African American individuals who she felt were wrongly
convicted or had a very tough sentencing and she wanted
to roll it back. There's an infamous picture of Kimberly
Noel Kardashian at the Oval office. Cordy said it behind Trump.
She never declared her association politically, whether she's the Democrat Republican,
(26:26):
But a lot of people said, if Kim Kardashian is
thanking the president for releasing these wrongfully convicted individuals, it's.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Good pr Now. Savannah chris Ley, the Christie's at one
point in time had the number one show in the world.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
So again, is it a case of this is great
pr for the president because if Diddy gets sentenced for
a lot of years, is did he somebody that will
look at Kimberly Kardashian, the Chris Lees and say, Trump
(27:06):
is the president of celebrities who he can help pardon
in order for us to be you know, freed, and
for him to have some support. Let's be clear, President
Trump has a plan after his four years are up,
and I do believe a lot of people listen, may
(27:30):
have to owe him favors.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Absolutely, listen. That's why we haven't seen so much stuff
come out in politics right now like they've I'm watching
everyone react to the Epstein files that we knew existed,
and now they're saying, oh, nothing exists. He was supposed
to be listed in them. Oh now he's not listed
(27:55):
in him. He's not listed in them at all. But
when we talk about privilege, and we have to talk
privilege and popularity go hand in hand. Those people who
were up for appeal that Kim Kardashian advocated for, it
was based their releases were contingent on her popularity, not
(28:18):
just their case, it took her advocating for them, buying
somewhat possible favors to get those releases. Regardless of those
releases happened for black people, they still happened by way
of her privilege and her being able to have the
(28:39):
ear of this popular popularity contest driven president. So when
we look at the case of Savannah advocating for her parents' clemency,
she was outright with her support of President Trump. Was
(29:00):
walking around at the RNC Republican National Convention wearing the
hat big advocate for I'm gonna do whatever it takes
to get my parents free even though they were guilty.
Now Todd and Julie remain you know, they say they pled,
(29:20):
not guilty, but they were found guilty twice. So there
becomes the bigger question that I have and that I
base so much of my opinion, not just on the facts,
but my opinion on is it fair when you have
been rightfully convicted and found guilty to be set free
(29:43):
due to your popularity.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Yeah, well, I think that's a fair question based upon
the fact that, you know, one of the things that
the Chrisly's case has shown us is the fact of love.
They play their inmm syst from day one. They never
wavered from it, ever wavered from it. Some people do feel,
(30:10):
meaning celebrities, that being famous has a lot of perps,
but in the court of law you are made an
example out of Teresa Judais was sentenced for a year
in prison due to something her husband did, but because
she signed documents that her husband put in front of.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Her face, she got a year.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
A lot of people felt everybody, all the legal experts
said that was super hard. They thought she would get
probation because no evidence showed that Teresa actively knew what.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Was going on and was helped orchestrating it.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
So a lot of people do feel Courtney in their defense,
that if you are a celebrity in the court of law,
you will be used as an example, which is why
Teresa's daughter, Jia Judais, who posted on her Instagram page
recently that she was writing a letter to President Trump
(31:05):
in order for her father to be pardoned so that
he's able Courtney to come back to the United States, right,
So go.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Ahead, And I think that is a very different thing
than what we're seeing with the Kreslies, primarily because they
served the time that was given to them. The difference
between Teresa and Joe versus Todd and Julie is they
(31:39):
served their time, they were found guilty. They you know,
they did the They did the time, and they're owning
their crime. Teresa, you know, even though she felt like
and the most of the public, including myself, felt like,
she shouldn't have gotten such a harsh uh what we
(32:01):
call the Martha Stewart treatment year, she did it. She
did it. She returned to grace from she returned from
her fall of grace, and now she is actively trying
to make a better way the crest. Listen, I think
it's ideal for Gia to just try to get her
(32:25):
father back into the USA, to see him, to have
a relationship. He doesn't have just one daughter, he has
they have four daughters together. So that is an ask
that if this popular president would pardon, would be a
(32:46):
worthy pardon because again, they they didn't plead not guilty.
They own the crimes that they did, and he was
he was sent away and he has ties not just
financial ties to the United States, he has family ties
(33:06):
to the United States. Sonna, It's gonna be interesting to
see how this plays out. The bigger question and concern though,
is what tone we're setting. But these reality stars that
are actually guilty of these crimes to now get slapped
on the wrist and able to keep their wealth and fortune.
(33:28):
Todd was recently quoted in saying, I'm not apologizing for
money I earned when two sets of jurors say, no,
you were, those emails came from you. Your accountant didn't
mislead you. The whistleblower that may have allegedly included his
(33:50):
daughter all said these things occurred, and now you're backshop
and living your life of luxury as if this didn't happen.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
Getting back to Jia.
Speaker 1 (34:03):
So just so I'm able to explain to the range
jobs what happened. As you all know, Joe Judas, Teresa
judai Sis ex husband was deported in twenty nineteen after
spending forty one months behind bars for mail while you're
a bankruptcy fraud. Jia with her Instagram she's twenty four
(34:25):
years old, she shared a passionate plea to President Trump
asking for him to bring her dad home.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Courtney.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
She said, I quote, my name is Jia judaics I'm
the daughter of Joe Judas, and today I'm using my
voice for something deeply personal, not just as a public figure,
but as a daughter who deeply who.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
Deeply misses her dad.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
Jia said her family has lived in an emotional limbo
ever since her father's deportation, and adding Courtney and I quote,
no matter how strong we try to be, the absence
of a father, of a parent is something that never
stops hurting. She ben Courtney shows herself with the envelope
(35:16):
that she sent to the White House. She addressed it,
hashtaged it because she's a millennial child, hashtag bring Joe home, and.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
She in Coortney.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
She did say watching the Christly family receive a second
chance inspired me.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
It showed me that.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
People can be forgiven, that families can be restored, and
that sometimes the justice system.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
Has room for grace.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
Does Joe Judi's Courtney Parker deserve to come to the
United States.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
And be pardoned?
Speaker 3 (35:52):
I do now Again, I do feel what her request
is because again he did his time. They and Teresa
did her time. We're not talking about people who wanted,
who were looking for a way out. They actually did
their time. He's looking for a second chance. I don't
(36:14):
personally feel the Kresleys are given getting a second chance.
I believe they're getting a slap on the wrist because
the crime that they committed and were found guilty again
now once but twice, they didn't serve even half of
(36:35):
the length of the time that they actually got for
those twelve counts. Joe served his time and then was deported.
He has four daughters now living in the United States,
no matter if they're famous or not. Like she said,
she has been working. She's one of the stars of
this new show. She shouldn't be punished from not being
(36:59):
able to see her That, plus the other kids not
being able to see their father when they want to.
They can always go to Italy to visit him, but
it's not the same. So he shouldn't be completely ostracized
from the United States and out of his girl's life
(37:19):
for things that he has done, that he served his
time for and is building a better life where he
is now. I do think that if any pardons are
to be had, it should be for Joe. So I'm
on a gsteam saying hashtag free her Daddy Joe. Joe,
(37:44):
I'm I have to take a step back and just
say it. I'm cautious of how society is going. If
if fame is actually fair. Who else is going to
get slaps on the wrist and not be held accountable
for the things that they do, and we as reality
(38:07):
show producers capitalizing off of that. I know it makes
for great storyline. I'm assuming quickly that they will resume shooting.
We're going to follow the Kresleyes uh as with this
post conviction and since again he shows to do to
(38:33):
this day no remorse. He was doing an interview I
believe with people where he said where he talked very
openly about his own privilege and how people were in there.
He didn't he wasn't doing, you know, the the work
there because he was he refused to get paid uh
slave wagers. He just was like I'm better than this
(38:59):
and and no. And now that I'm out, he went shopping.
They got their roots done. I'm like, come on, it's.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Not the high lifestyle.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
It's like, come on, So what is that saying as society?
And what does that say about popularity? Even with the
respect to our industry of reality TV? Like what do
we do the cameras want to follow they should be
(39:31):
following because we want to know as audience members, but
as as just a consciousness of accountability. Do you believe
that production should take a stand or should production just
be fair to the stories unfolding at hand.
Speaker 2 (39:49):
Yes, well you know how I feel. I'm a journalist,
hey Porsche, and.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Similar to you, studied communication journalism in college. I I
believe in the ethics of journalism, which is your personal
opinion does not impact.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
The story how you feel.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
Barbara Walters interviewed so many people from mass murderers, the
Menandez brothers, dignitaries of other nations who have done some
horrible things.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
She never imposed her personal opinion. She got the story.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
I feel like that when it comes to reality television
my granted, with that being.
Speaker 2 (40:32):
Said, there are some elements of like.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
With that being said, I also do not believe at
all that people should be on camera spewing hate, racism, sexism.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
I don't believe in that at all. So I want
to make that very clear too.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
In this case of the chrislies being free, Listen, I
understand as producer, you're getting the story. Just like Barbara
Walters made sure she got the exclusive interview in prison
Courtney with the Menindaz brothers.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
She wanted the exclusive and cameras followed, is it.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
Getting alleged murderers promotion or are you or as a
media you're just telling the story. I'll follow one of
those guidelines, which is why I was definitely front and
center when Teresa was released from prison and the cameras
(41:36):
captured the moment she walked in the house and saw
her daughters, and there was not a dry eye in
the room.
Speaker 2 (41:43):
I would have done the same thing.
Speaker 1 (41:44):
So yeah, I feel like, listen, there's no one size
fit all approach for any of these situations. But I
definitely think fundamentally you have to look at the situation
and see if it's an opportunity.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
One more example would.
Speaker 1 (42:04):
Be I'm gonna butcher Butcher the name, but Courtney is
also somebody who watches lots of Lifetime in addition to.
Speaker 2 (42:16):
Documentary movies about people's lives.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
Is the woman who killed her mother because she was
drugged into thinking she was handicapped.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
And I've got her name.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (42:32):
I'm not on a second and she had a reality
show but she got released right Well.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
Listen, they're saying, Todd and Julie are already projecting their
future plans. The couple intends to launch a new lifetime
docuseries and convert a mansion into a hotel in South
Carolina so cameras will be watching. My concern is i'mse
(43:03):
Gypsy Rose. My concern like you, as a producer, I
think everybody is entitled to tell their story. As a person,
I do wonder about the message and messages we're sending
when someone's privilege is front and center and it's allowing
(43:30):
certain things to take precedence over real accountability for crimes
actually committed. In Jia's case, again, we saw them go
through everything they were that was handed to them, from
the sentencing to the deportation to the reconciliation. Because there's
(43:53):
still a lot of work that has to be done
to capture that in real time. Was a mon to
see this unfold, and trust me, I know both you
and I both will be watching to see it. But
they're also going to capitalize on the moment. And really
(44:16):
there's the gratitude from this administration from the Presley family
to the reward. I kind of worry about the reward
of these kind of gardents. But again, I'll be watching,
I'll be watching.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
You can already.
Speaker 3 (44:35):
See this is a massive storyline if you're going to
convert a mansion, you're going to deflect and then distract
us with this show where Todd is going to be Todd,
Julie is going to be Julie, and the kids are
going to be the kids. The reunion, I don't know
if I's USA or now which is peacock. NBC is
(44:59):
going to redo or renew or bring back the show
we'll all be watching. Do I think they deserve a
second chance. Perhaps everybody deserves the second chance. I just
wish from a legal standpoint, they would have been held
(45:19):
to greater accountability before we all just sit here and
celebrate their release.
Speaker 2 (45:25):
Yeah, no, one hundred. Since so they have been released.
Speaker 1 (45:28):
We will see when the show will be released, and listen.
Gia Judais got the post to stamp Child and went
to the local mailbox and.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
She sent it off this out right welcome out.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
Handbrint it hashtag bring Joe Home Child, in addition to
addressed it to sixteen hundred Sylvania happenue.
Speaker 2 (45:51):
After help me shall see what happens?
Speaker 1 (45:55):
And has more things unfold, Courtney Parker and I will
be back to give you guys more So, thank you
for another great episode of our weekly episode Reality Crimes
Stories with court Meey Parker.
Speaker 3 (46:12):
Thank you, Carlos, thank you, rain Drops.
Speaker 1 (46:16):
See you next week, next week. Reality with the King
is executive produced by Me Carlos King, produced by Lizzie Nimitz,
and a partnership.
Speaker 2 (46:29):
With the Lack Effect Network.
Speaker 1 (46:32):
You can also find us on my YouTube channel at
the Carlos King Underscore
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