Texas Couple Behind Fake ‘Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Image Pleads Guilty in $5M Renovation Scam

Texas couple admits $5M home renovation scam, leaving dozens of victims with incomplete homes

Fort Worth Couple Posed as “Chip and Joanna Gaines”

A Texas couple has admitted to defrauding dozens of homeowners out of nearly $5 million under the guise of custom home renovations. Christopher and Raquelle Judge, operating through their company Judge DFW LLC, misled clients across six Texas counties between August 2020 and January 2023.

The couple promoted themselves on social media, claiming Christopher was an experienced architect and marketing their services as a one-stop solution for custom homes, interior design, and construction. Several clients described the couple’s pitch as reminiscent of the popular “Chip and Joanna Gaines” style.

Victims Left With Incomplete Homes and Financial Losses

Federal prosecutors revealed the Judges would submit below-market bids to secure contracts, then fail to complete the projects, leaving families with unfinished homes. In Runaway Bay, Christopher Judge amassed 424 code enforcement violations, prompting the FBI to investigate.

Victims shared their struggles following the scam:

• Some families missed Christmas for years due to financial hardship.

• Others faced bankruptcy after paying for renovations that were never completed.

In total, the couple defrauded over 40 victims across six counties, spanning at least 24 different construction projects.

Misuse of Funds

Court documents revealed that Christopher and Raquelle commingled client payments, using money from new clients to fund unrelated projects or personal expenses. Authorities reported the couple spent the misappropriated funds on:

• Mortgage payments

• Living expenses

• Plastic surgery

Roper, a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, warned, “You just need to be careful about who you give the money to. If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not true.”

Guilty Pleas and Potential Sentences

• 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, carrying a maximum of five years in prison.

The couple is scheduled for separate sentencing later this year.

Lessons for Homeowners

Experts emphasize the importance of verifying credentials and contracts before engaging with contractors. When a deal seems too good to be true, it often is - and homeowners should always conduct background checks and seek references before paying large sums for construction projects.