State opens investigation after records show reality star dodged taxes

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned reality star Todd Chrisley is now under state investigation after we exposed his failure to pay Georgia income taxes for years.

State documents show investigators have subpoenaed Chrisley's eldest son, Kyle, who still lives in Georgia and is estranged from his famous father.

"He's always been that way. He stretches the truth," Kyle Chrisley told Channel 2 investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer.

Kyle confirms he answered investigators' questions about his father's failure to pay state income taxes.

"Were you ever a Florida resident?" Fleischer asked Kyle.

"No," he said. "We really went there for vacations in the summer and that was really the only time we ever went.
We lived here in Georgia."

Records show the star of USA Network's, "Chrisley Knows Best," declared himself a legal Georgia resident on numerous court filings, but several sources tell Channel 2 Action News Chrisley filed no state income tax returns during those years.

"You've seen his federal tax returns and he claimed to be a Florida resident on those?" Fleischer asked bankruptcy trustee Jason Pettie, who oversaw one of Todd Chrisley's bankruptcy filings.

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Pettie indicated he had seen returns from 2004 through 2011. Fleischer asked if he'd seen any Georgia tax returns.

"No," Pettie replied. "They haven't been filed."

Channel 2 uncovered multiple lawsuits Chrisley filed in which he declared himself a legal Georgia resident.

In 2010, he was "domiciled in Georgia." In 2011, "a resident and citizen of Georgia." And in 2012, he "resided in Fulton County."

Records show the Chrisleys even held a homestead exemption on a Roswell home from 2006 through 2014.

Chrisley's wife, Julie, stated on August 2013 video-taped deposition, under oath, neither she nor her husband lived in Florida.

In 2016, the Chrisley family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, which also requires no state income taxes.

Chrisley's estranged son, Kyle, not only confirms they never lived in Florida, but said his dad even bragged about it.

"I think he's trying to hide money," Kyle said. "He doesn't like to pay what he owes."

After sparring with his dad about prior drug use, and a bitter custody battle for his toddler, Kyle said his life is now on track, and he's cut all ties with his famous family.

"I think it is my dad's reality," Kyle told Fleischer. "He believes that he has millions of dollars."

He said his dad went to great lengths to maintain the ruse of residency, even driving Kyle and his sister to Florida to get their learner's driving permits.

"Why would he not just pay his fair share of Georgia taxes if he had all that money?" Fleischer asked Kyle.

"When you grow up not having money, and then when you finally get some, I don't think you want to give it to anyone," Kyle responded. "I'd like to see him held accountable."

Fleischer previously contacted three of Chrisley's attorneys and his agent, but none would comment on Channel 2's investigation. On "The Domenick Nati Show" following our original story, the reality star maintained he was a Florida resident for 15 years.

Cox Media Group