- Ellis broke down in tears as she expressed “deep remorse.”
- The public prosecutor recommended a five-year suspended sentence
- Ellis worked closely with Rudy Giuliani and blamed more “experienced” lawyers
Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, broke down in tears and pleaded guilty in Georgia, where the former president and others were accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election.
In a deal with prosecutors, Ellis, 38, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting false statements and writings.
She was charged with more serious charges of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and requiring a public official to violate an oath.
It came days after two other former Trump lawyers – Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro – also struck deals and pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
A tearful Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in court in Fulton County, Georgia
This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia shows Jenna Ellis on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Ellis was indicted two months ago along with Trump, Powell, Chesebro and more than a dozen others.
She addressed the court in tears, blaming “more experienced” lawyers she worked with to challenge the 2020 election.
She worked closely with Rudi Giuliani, the former New York mayor who became Trump’s personal lawyer, although she did not mention Giuliani by name in her statement.
Ellis said: “I am a lawyer who is also a Christian.” I take my responsibilities as a lawyer very seriously. I relied on others, including attorneys with extensive experience, to provide me with truthful and reliable information. Especially since my job involves speaking to the media and legislators in various states.
“What I didn’t do, but should have done, your honor, was make sure that the facts that the other lawyers thought were true were in fact true.”
Jenna Ellis wipes away tears as she addresses the court
Ellis listens to the judge as she gets five years of probation
She added: “At the frantic pace of attempts to challenge the election in several states,” including Georgia. I didn’t do my due diligence.
“I believe in and value the integrity of the election. And if I had known then what I know now, I would have declined to represent Donald Trump in these post-election challenges.”
Ellis told the court she felt “deep remorse” and added: “I apologize to the people of Georgia.”
Last week, Chesebro pleaded guilty to one felony count: conspiracy to file false documents.
Prosecutors recommended he receive several years of probation, pay $5,000 in restitution, write a letter of apology to the citizens of Georgia and complete 100 hours of community service.
Powell pleaded guilty last week to conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election.
She admitted to six charges in a deal with prosecutors that reduced her sentence.
Powell avoided prison and received six years probation.