A Georgia grand jury indicted former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies for allegedly trying to overturn the state’s 2020 election results – making it the fourth criminal trial that the former president faces as he pursues the White House again in 2024.
The 98-page indictment accuses the defendants of − among other things − conspiring to commit election fraud, conspiring to commit false statements and writings, perjury and violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which penalizes activities of individuals engaging in organized crime.
Trump‘s co-defendants includes prominent names like Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, as well as lesser-known allies who helped Trump protest the election results in Georgia and elsewhere. They have until noon on Aug. 25, to voluntarily surrender.
Here are some of the indicted allies of Trump, and what they were doing at the time of the events described in the indictment.
Who is Mark Meadows?
Mark Meadows was the White House chief of staff under the Trump administration. Meadows allegedly threatened Georgia state officials with false election fraud claims and helped arrange Trump’s infamous Jan. 2, 2021, phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which the former president urged Raffensperger to find “11,780 votes” and swing the election in his favor.
Meadows was ordered to testify in the Georgia election case last year, a move that his lawyers tried to fight against by alleging that Meadows’ communications with the former president were privileged.
The indictment charged Meadows with violation of Georgia’s RICO Act and solicitation of violation of oath by public officer.
Who is Jeffrey Clark?
Former Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Clark was a central player in Trump’s alleged effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He allegedly drafted a letter urging Georgia officials to convene a special session in the state legislature relating to the 2020 election.
The indictment alleges that the letter falsely claimed that the Justice Department had “identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election in multiple states, including the state of Georgia” − an allegation that had no proof.
Clark was accused of violating the RICO Act and criminally attempting to commit false statements and writings.
Who is Mike Roman?
Mike Roman served as an official on Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.
The indictment alleges that Roman instructed an unnamed co-conspirator to coordinate with Trump campaign officials to contact state legislators in Georgia and other battleground states on behalf of Trump and encourage them to unlawfully appoint presidential electors.
Roman faces seven charges in the indictment, including violation of the RICO Act and conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer.
Who is Ray Smith?
Ray Smith, a former Trump campaign attorney, faces multiple conspiracy charges, including impersonating a public officer and committing forgery in the first degree, and other charges such as the violation of the RICO Act and solicitation of violation of oath by public officer.
Who is Rudy Giuliani?
Rudy Giuliani is a former Trump lawyer – and former New York City mayor – who was allegedly actively involved in the Georgia election protest. He faces numerous charges on false statements and writings and conspiracy charges, including committing forgery in the first degree.
Who is John Eastman?
John Eastman is a lawyer who developed legal theories on how Trump could spike some of Biden’s electoral votes. He faces charges on conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings and other charges.
Who is Kenneth Chesebro?
Kenneth Chesebro is an active pro-Trump lawyer who allegedly helped coordinate the plan to recruit fake electors. He faces charges of violating the RICO act, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree and other charges.
Who is Robert Cheeley?
Robert Cheeley is a lawyer who allegedly promoted evidence-free claims of fraud.
Who is Sidney Powell?
Sidney Powell is a lawyer who served on the Trump campaign. Powell allegedly pushed conspiracy theories that Dominion Voting Systems changed votes from Trump to Biden.
Who is David Shafer?
David Shafer is a Georgia Republican Party chairman and one of the so-called “fake electors” named in the indictment.
Who is Shawn Still?
Shawn Still was a fake Trump elector who was allegedly recruited to alter votes from Biden to Trump.
Who is Stephen Lee?
Stephen Lee, a pastor, was involved in alleged intimidation of election workers.
Who is Trevian Kutti?
Trevian Kutti was a publicist for R. Kelly and Kanye West, and was involved in the alleged intimidation of election workers.
Who is Cathy Latham?
Cathy Latham was a fake Trump elector who is tied to alleged attempts to breach voting systems in Coffee County, Georgia.
