Jenna Ellis, a former member of Trump’s legal team, said tearfully in court: “If I had known then what I know now, I would have refused to represent Trump in these post-election proceedings.”
Ellis is now the fourth defendant in the case to cooperate with the District Attorney’s Office. The 38-year-old has now been sentenced to, among other things, a suspended prison sentence and community service. Ellis recently publicly distanced himself from Trump. She also complained that Trump refused to pay her legal fees.
Trump’s “legal architect” caved
Then-Trump supporters Kenneth Chesebro, Sidney Powell and Scott Hall had previously pleaded guilty to multiple crimes in Georgia. This is a great success for the Public Ministry. The lawyer, Chesebro, only admitted his guilt on Friday to conspiracy to present false documents. The court sentenced him to a suspended prison sentence of several years. A fine and community service are also due.
Portal/Mike Segar Many lawyers supported Trump in his lawsuits after the US election, but now they appear to be backing out one after another
According to media reports, Chesebro also agreed to testify truthfully against his co-defendants following a deal with the District Attorney’s Office. The Washington Post (“WP”) once called him the “legal architect” of the plan to overturn the Georgia election results in Trump’s favor.
Agreements with the Public Ministry
Just a day earlier, Trump’s lawyer Powell pleaded guilty in the case and also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. She is also involved in a conspiracy to commit voter fraud. She faces a six-year probation sentence and a fine of several thousand dollars.
She would also have to write a letter of apology to the citizens of Georgia, according to US media, and testify “truthfully” about the case in future proceedings against other defendants. Powell was considered a staunch supporter of Trump and was reportedly involved in several important conversations – her admission of guilt came as a surprise.
Trump attorney Hall, who was originally indicted on seven counts, pleaded guilty to five counts in early October. The Public Prosecutor’s Office demands five years of probation, a fine of 5,000 dollars (about 4,700 euros) and 200 hours of community service. Like his colleagues, the 59-year-old made a deal with the Public Prosecutor’s Office to testify against his co-defendants. All of the defendants, including Trump, initially pleaded not guilty.
Accusation of election interference
In Georgia, Trump was indicted along with 18 other defendants for their attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state. The Republican is also facing federal charges in a separate case for his efforts to later overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Trump lost the elections against Democrat and current US President Joe Biden, including in Georgia. To this day, however, he refuses to admit defeat, even though there is evidence – such as audio recordings of phone calls. Trump’s best-known lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, is also indicted in Georgia.