Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, one of the defendants in the case accusing him and others of participating in efforts to overturn Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election in Georgia, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge. This development comes as jury selection was about to begin for his trial.
Chesebro's Plea Deal and Sentence
Chesebro entered into a last-minute deal, pleading guilty to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents. As part of the plea agreement, he has been sentenced to five years' probation and 100 hours of community service. In addition, he is required to pay $5,000 in restitution, write an apology letter to the residents of Georgia, and testify truthfully at any relevant future trial.
Sidney Powell's Guilty Plea
The day before Chesebro's plea, fellow attorney Sidney Powell, who was also involved in the case, pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts. These guilty pleas are significant victories for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who obtained the indictment against Chesebro and others back in August. By securing these pleas, Willis avoids a lengthy trial involving only two defendants and streamlines the prosecution process.
The Allegations Against Chesebro
According to the indictment, Chesebro was involved in a scheme to fabricate documents and falsely declare that Trump won the state of Georgia in the 2020 election. The plan included having 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate proclaiming themselves as the state's "duly elected and qualified" electors for Trump. Chesebro allegedly coordinated and executed this plan.
Implications of the Plea Deal
For prosecutors, Chesebro's guilty plea ensures that he publicly acknowledges his involvement in the case and removes the uncertainty of a trial by jury. Moreover, it compels him to provide testimony about his communications with Trump's campaign lawyers and close associates, including co-defendant Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York and Trump's attorney. This information could be instrumental in uncovering further evidence related to the case.
It is worth noting that Chesebro resides in Puerto Rico and was initially facing several charges, including felony racketeering, related to the scheme.
The Trial of Powell and Chesebro: A Summary
The trial for Powell and Chesebro was scheduled to begin on Friday following their request for a speedy trial. However, Powell recently pleaded guilty, leaving Chesebro as the sole defendant to proceed to trial.
Powell's Plea Agreement
As part of her agreement, Powell has accepted a six-year probation sentence and a $6,000 fine. Additionally, she is required to write an apology letter to the state of Georgia and its residents. Powell has also cooperated fully with prosecutors by providing a recorded statement and agreeing to testify truthfully against her co-defendants in future trials.
Scott Graham Hall's Involvement
Another defendant in the case, a bail bondsman named Scott Graham Hall, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges last month. He received a five-year probation sentence and will participate as a witness in subsequent legal proceedings.
Not Guilty Pleas
All other defendants, including former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, have pleaded not guilty.
The Allegations
Chesebro's involvement extended to writing memos advocating for Republicans in those states to cast electoral votes for Trump. He provided detailed instructions on how this process should be carried out. In an email to Giuliani, Chesebro outlined strategies to disrupt and delay the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, where electoral votes were set to be certified. He expressed preference for these disruptive strategies over allowing the Electoral Count Act to operate as intended.
