Christopher and Raquelle Judge of Fort Worth admitted running a social-media driven renovation scheme through Judge DFW LLC that defrauded dozens of homeowners of nearly $5 million. Prosecutors say the couple marketed themselves as full‑service designers/builders, secured contracts with low bids, then left many projects unfinished. Court documents cite more than 40 victims across six Texas counties, roughly 24 projects and about $4.8 million in losses after payments were commingled and diverted. Christopher faces up to 20 years in prison; Raquelle faces up to five years.
Texas Couple Who Modeled Themselves After 'Chip and Joanna Gaines' Plead Guilty in Nearly $5M Renovation Fraud
Texas couple labeled fake ‘Chip and Joanna Gaines’ admits $5M dream home renovation scam
A Fort Worth married couple has pleaded guilty in federal court after prosecutors say they used social media to swindle homeowners out of nearly $5 million by promising custom homes and renovations that were never completed.
Scheme Details
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Christopher and Raquelle Judge operated a renovation business called Judge DFW LLC from August 2020 through January 2023. The couple marketed themselves as a full-service firm offering architecture, interior design and construction, and promoted a "Chip and Joanna Gaines"–style image to attract clients.
Christopher and Raquelle Judge pleaded guilty to federal charges after prosecutors uncovered a nearly $5 million fraud scheme in which the couple scammed dozens of Texas homeowners over fake renovation projects.(Fox News)
Prosecutors say Christopher misrepresented his professional credentials as an architect and that the pair secured contracts by submitting below-market bids. Once work began, many projects were left unfinished. Plea documents indicate the Judges defrauded more than 40 victims across six Texas counties and were involved in at least 24 separate construction projects.
"They came out to our house… and really pitched themselves as like this Chip and Joanna Gaines type of vibe," said client Lane Simmons in an interview with WFAA.
Financial Misconduct and Impact
Court filings show the couple commingled customer payments in their primary business account and frequently diverted installment payments intended for one project to pay for unrelated expenses and other projects. Prosecutors estimate total losses at about $4.8 million. Funds were used for mortgage payments, living expenses and even cosmetic surgery, according to federal filings.
Christopher Judge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to 20 years behind bars in federal prison. Raquelle Judge also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which has a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
In Runaway Bay, Christopher Judge accumulated 424 code enforcement citations; that pattern of violations helped prompt FBI involvement in the investigation. Victims described severe financial and personal consequences: some families missed holidays, and others filed for bankruptcy as projects stalled.
"There were families whose kids did not get Christmas for a year or two. There were families that filed bankruptcy," said victim Kalie Simmons to FOX 4.
Legal Outcome
Last month, Christopher Judge pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Raquelle Judge pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years. Federal prosecutors say the couple will be sentenced separately later this year. Attorneys for the Judges were not immediately available for comment.
Takeaway: The case is a reminder to vet contractors carefully: check credentials, verify references, watch for unusually low bids, and monitor how payments are handled.
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