Todd Chrisley Ordered to Pay $755,000 After Losing Defamation Lawsuit

Todd Chrisley was ordered to pay a former special agent with the Georgia Department of Revenue (GDOR) $755,000 after losing a defamation lawsuit over an alleged social media campaign.

By Sabba Rahbar Apr 10, 2024 10:25 PMTags
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Todd Chrisley is dealing with new legal troubles.

The former reality star—who is currently serving a yearslong prison sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion—was ordered by a Georgia court to pay $755,000 to a former special agent with the Georgia Department of Revenue (GDOR), according to documents obtained by E! News.

The verdict was handed down on April 4 in Amy Doherty-Heinze's favor, with Chrisley owing "$350,000.00 in compensatory damages, $170,000 in punitive damages and $235,000 in expenses of litigation, for a total of $755,000."

Doherty-Heinze filed a defamation complaint against the Chrisley Knows Best alum in July 2021 alleging that, according to documents obtained by People, in 2020 he "began attacking [her] and accusing her of a multitude of crimes and wrongdoing" amid the GDOR's investigation into him and his wife Julie Chrisley, which began three years earlier.

Per the complaint, Chrisley "began a social media campaign against the GDOR and certain of its employees, contending that the investigation was illegal and improperly motivated." Doherty-Heinze alleged she was targeted in the social media campaign despite not being involved in the investigation.

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Savannah Chrisley Through the Years

She originally served Chrisley with a "retraction demand" in July 2021, but after he did not retract the alleged defamatory accusations she filed the defamation claim. 

Following the verdict, Chrisley's attorney Leesa Guarnotta pushed back at the validity of the case but highlighted how the jury did not fully rule in favor of Doherty-Heinze.

Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

"We are concerned about the state of the First Amendment where such a case could make it to trial in the first place," she said in a statement to People. Adding that they are "pleased the jury recognized that some of Mr. Chrisley's statements were not defamatory and awarded the plaintiff a fourth of the damages she requested."

She also noted they will be filing an appeal for the 55-year-old, who is due to be released in October 2032 for his tax fraud case. Julie, who is serving her own sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion, is up for release in July 2028.

E! News has reached out to Chrisley's lawyer for comment but has not heard back yet.

For more from the Chrisley family, keep reading.

Couple Portrait

Chrisley Knows Best stars Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley smiled for a professional photo together in 2016.

Cast Photo

Todd and Julie were pictured along with Faye Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, Chloe Chrisley and Grayson Chrisley ahead of season eight of their reality show.

Beverly Hills Outing

The spouses attended the 2014 Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. in 2014. 

Academy of Country Music Awards

The pair hit the red carpet for the 2017 Academy Of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

The Concert For Love And Acceptance

Lindsie Chrisley—whose parents are Todd and Teresa Terry—joined her dad, Savannah and Julie at the 2015 Concert For Love And Acceptance at City Winery Nashville.

Sibling Bond

Savannah and Chase snapped a pic together in 2019 for E! News' Daily Pop.

Chrisley Knows Best

The couple appeared with granddaughter Chloe, who they adopted, on the "Build A Baby" episode in 2020.

Hollywood Game Night

Todd and Julie appeared with their daughter Savannah on Hollywood Game Night in 2018 for the "Chrisley's Believe It Or Not" episode.

Father-Daughter Date

The real estate mogul and his daughter were among the stars at the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

New York Event

Todd and Julie kept their kids Savannah and Chase close at the 2015 NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Upfront in New York City.

Nashville Night Out

Todd and Julie were spotted at the 2019 grand opening of E3 Chophouse Nashville in Nashville, Tenn.

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