Christopher, Raquelle Judge: Texas influencer couple pleads guilty to nearly $5M swindle in home renovation scams

An influencer couple from Texas has admitted to defrauding over 40 individuals out of $5 million through deceitful home renovation schemes.

Chris and Raquelle Judge, who are well-known for their social media presence, promised clients top-notch home remodels but failed to deliver.

Although Chris Judge presented himself as an architect, prosecutors revealed that he lacked the credentials for such a title.

One of their victims, Kristen Newman, recounted her disappointing experience after hiring the couple to construct her dream home.

“He just disappeared, stopped communicating with us, and it turned into a nightmare,” Newman shared.

Authorities have reported that the couple lured clients with claims of custom architecture, construction, and interior design services at prices below the market average.

Christopher and Raquelle Judge pleaded guilty to conning dozens of clients.
Christopher and Raquelle Judge pleaded guilty to conning dozens of clients.

“This isn’t just a bad business decision,” Newman said. “He chose to lie, he chose to steal.”

Lane Simmons and his wife said they paid them about $200,000 to remodel their home.

“They really pitched themselves as this ‘Chip and Joanna Gaines’ type of vibe,” Simmons said. “My house, everything they did was wrong. We had a family friend come over who’s also a contractor to look at everything and he’s like ‘a lot of this is unsafe; it’s like the worst job I’ve probably ever seen.’”

Prosecutors say the guilty couple used some of their nearly $5 million swindle on personal mortgage payments and plastic surgery.

Christopher Judge faces up to 20 years in prison.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like

Florida judge rips into mom accused of leaving 4 children at home to go on 3-day cruise

Florida Mom Accused of Leaving 4 Children Home Alone for 3-Day Cruise Scolded by Judge

A Florida mother is facing four felony child-neglect charges after authorities said…
Tennessee murder suspect Emonnie Branch accused of gunning down Kentucky Trooper Hayden Phillips

Tennessee Murder Suspect Accused of Killing Kentucky Trooper Phillips

The Tennessee man charged in the fatal shooting of a Kentucky State…
Taiwan analysts say Trump-Xi summit produced no policy shift but real test lies ahead

Taiwan Analysts Say Trump-Xi Summit Brought No Shift, Test Ahead

TAIPEI — Taiwanese officials were closely monitoring the outcome of President Donald…
A Mike Ditka, a Ben Johnson, and a kiss: Recently engaged fans score Monday Night Football moment at Chicago Bears game

Engaged Bears Fans Share Unforgettable Monday Night Football Kiss

CHICAGO () — A newly engaged couple added an unforgettable moment to…
Ohio cancer patient sues hospital after surgeon allegedly amputated wrong leg

Ohio Cancer Patient Sues Hospital Over Alleged Wrong-Leg Amputation

An Ohio woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that a surgeon amputated…
South Carolina mom accused of knife attack on young children as 6-year-old may lose arm: sheriff's office

South Carolina Mom Accused of Knife Attack; 6-Year-Old May Lose Arm

A 6-year-old South Carolina boy’s phone call to his grandmother about being…
Flight to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after incident in cockpit, Israeli security source says

Tel Aviv Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia After Cockpit Incident

A FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to…
Moscow threatens nuclear response over tiny fortress wedged between US allies as clash fears grow

Moscow Warns of Nuclear Response Over Kaliningrad as Tensions Rise

Russia’s warning that it could use nuclear weapons if NATO seeks to…
Flydubai pilots reportedly fight in cockpit, triggering hijacking fears and Israeli fighter jet response

Israeli Jets Respond After Reported Flydubai Cockpit Fight

WATCH: BRAWL BREAKS OUT during flight Video footage shows two passengers exchanging…
Kansas State University junior Kyra Kinnison falls 70 feet from overpass trying to avoid being hit by truck and survives

Kansas State junior Kyra Kinnison survives 70-foot fall to avoid truck

A Kansas State University junior survived a 70-foot fall from an overpass…
Stop Insider Trading Act bill blocked by Senate Democrats

Senate Democrats Block Stop Insider Trading Act Bill

The US Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation that would impose new restrictions…
Accused shooter ‘wanted to kill Rihanna,’ others were ‘collateral damage’: prosecutors

Prosecutors: Accused Shooter Wanted Rihanna Dead, Others Collateral

Prosecutors say Ivanna Ortiz intended to kill Rihanna when she allegedly opened…