In a significant development surrounding the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, Fulton County prosecutors have been in discussions regarding potential plea deals with at least six co-defendants charged alongside former President Donald Trump. The overarching strategy by District Attorney Fani Willis appears to be securing the cooperation of as many co-defendants as possible, thereby isolating Trump and a select few close allies.
The charges stem from allegations that Trump and his team attempted to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. Among those who have been offered plea deals is pro-Trump lawyer Robert Cheeley. However, Cheeley's attorney, Richard Rice, clarified that they declined the offer made by the DA's office. Other notable figures who have been in touch with the DA's office regarding potential plea deals include former Coffee County, Georgia, elections supervisor Misty Hampton and former Trump campaign official Mike Roman.
The Fulton County DA's approach is not just about securing guilty pleas but also about obtaining cooperation from these individuals in the broader case against Trump. This strategy is reminiscent of DA Willis' approach in a 2014 RICO case, where she successfully convicted significant participants in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.
Three Trump-affiliated lawyers, namely Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, and Sidney Powell, have already accepted plea deals, which will allow them to avoid prison. These deals come with the stipulation that all three lawyers cooperate with the prosecutors, which could potentially include testifying against Trump and other co-defendants during the trial.
Jenna Ellis, once a critic of Trump, joined his campaign as an adviser in November 2019. She was a vocal advocate for Trump's claims of election fraud. However, in a recent court appearance, Ellis expressed remorse, stating that she failed to verify the veracity of the claims made by other lawyers regarding election fraud.
Kenneth Chesebro, an outside adviser to the Trump campaign, was instrumental in crafting the legal arguments that Trump used in his bid to remain in power. Chesebro has defended his actions, stating that lawyers have an ethical obligation to explore every possible argument that might benefit their clients.
Sidney Powell, known for her representation of Michael Flynn and her conspiracy theories about voting machines, also accepted a plea deal. Despite being distanced from the Trump campaign post-election, Powell continued to advise Trump. As part of her plea deal, Powell has agreed to testify against other defendants, including Trump.
The unfolding legal drama underscores the challenges Trump and his allies face in the aftermath of the 2020 election. With key members of his legal team now cooperating with prosecutors, the former president's legal woes seem far from over.
