Savannah Chrisley's Fiancé's Ex-Wife Detailed His Hawk Rescue in Plea for Leniency

The ex-wife of Jason Galanis, the fiancé of reality television personality Savannah Chrisley, highlighted his purported love for animals in a bid for a more lenient prison sentence.

In a July 2017 sentencing memorandum, Monet Berger described an instance where Galanis, then her husband, stopped to rescue an injured hawk they encountered on the side of the road. "He also has a love of animals like no other," Berger stated in the document submitted to the Manhattan federal judge overseeing Galanis' fraud case.

According to Berger's account, Galanis insisted on returning to the hawk's location after initially seeing it injured by the roadside. He then brought the bird home, where he reportedly fashioned a bed for it with blankets. Berger claimed that Galanis subsequently located a rescue facility for the hawk, drove it there himself that night, and continued to monitor its condition daily, making a donation to the facility.

Berger also emphasized her two-decade relationship with Galanis, describing him as a "loyal" and "loving" partner who supported her through health issues and was generally a "friend to all" who would "help a stranger."

Her letter echoed arguments made by Galanis and his defense, which pointed to the influence of his father, John Galanis, a career criminal, as a factor in Jason's life. Berger asserted that John Galanis had a "painful impact" on his son and "destroyed" his life, forcing Jason to abandon college and care for his younger siblings.

She suggested that Jason Galanis might have followed a different path had he received counseling for the "issues with his father" and the "unhealthy relationship" his father imposed on him.

In September 2020, Jason Galanis was sentenced to 189 months in prison after pleading guilty to seven felony charges, including conspiracy to commit securities fraud and investment adviser fraud. His father, John Galanis, was among his co-defendants.

Berger also highlighted Galanis's work with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit supporting military personnel and first responders, suggesting this charitable aspect of his character was suppressed during his youth due to family influence.

She concluded her plea by characterizing Jason as a "kind," "caring," and "hardworking man who cares about others' well-being," who "has much to offer the community through his service and kindness and compassion for people."

Just one month after submitting the sentencing memorandum, Berger filed for divorce from Galanis, citing "irreconcilable differences" and listing their separation date as May 23, 2016. She claimed she was unaware of his alleged tax evasion and forgery of her signature on tax documents, describing herself as a victim of his crimes.

Jason Galanis began his prison sentence in October 2017, and his divorce from Berger was finalized in April 2018.

In March 2025, President Donald Trump commuted Jason Galanis's prison sentence. Two months later, Trump pardoned Savannah Chrisley's parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley.

Savannah Chrisley, 29, recently announced her engagement to Galanis, whom she met in "the world of politics." The couple is also expecting their first child together.