Convicted Fraudster Todd Chrisley Ordered to Pay $755k in Defamation Lawsuit Days Before Appeal Hearing

Todd Chrisley has been hit with another financial blow before his important appeal hearing. The incarcerated Chrisley Knows Best star was ordered to pay $755k in damages and legal fees to Georgia Department of Revenue investigator Amy Doherty-Heinze last week after a jury ruled he defamed her, RadarOnline.com has learned.

As this outlet reported, Doherty-Heinze sued Todd for defamation, claiming he “began attacking [her] and accusing her of a multitude of crimes and wrongdoing” following the 2017 investigation into him and his wife, Julie Chrisley, by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

She alleged that Todd “began a social media campaign against the GDOR and certain of its employees, contending that the investigation was illegal and improperly motivated” and dragged her into it despite the fact she was “not involved” in his investigation. Doherty-Heinze had demanded he take back his statements but alleged the reality star "failed and refused to retract any of his false and defamatory accusations."

She claimed Todd caused her "unnecessary trouble and expense by making and refusing to retract" his statements.

Todd was ordered to pay Doherty-Heinze $755k on April 4, which breaks down to $350,000 in compensatory damages, $170,000 in punitive damages, and $235,000 in lawyer fees.

Todd doesn't seem worried about the latest money woe, with one of his attorneys telling PEOPLE 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.”

The ex-reality star's mind is likely on his upcoming appeal hearing. RadarOnline.com spoke to Jay Surgent, another lawyer representing the Chrisleys as they fight their convictions, who shared that Todd is "optimistic" about their chances on April 19.

We were also told that Todd believes they have a "good chance" at getting their combined 19-year sentences reversed or significantly reduced when their case goes before the eleventh circuit.

In 2022, Todd and his wife of nearly 30 years were convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

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He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Julie was handed seven years. With their appeal hearing approaching, Surgent told RadarOnline.com that Todd is "very hopeful" while calling the ex-reality star "unrelenting," "religious," and "truthful" as he serves his time at Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola, in Florida.