3 Trump associates in Fulton County election case enter not guilty pleas.
Former Trump Associates Plead Not Guilty in Georgia Election Case
Three associates of former President Donald Trump involved in the Fulton County, Georgia, election case have entered pleas of “not guilty.” Former federal prosecutor Sidney Powell, publicist Trevian Kutti, and attorney Ray Smith are facing racketeering and conspiracy charges brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
Sidney Powell and Ray Smith previously served as attorneys to President Trump, while Trevian Kutti worked as a publicist for rapper Kanye West, who supported Trump in 2020.
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The charges against President Trump and his associates revolve around alleged unlawful behavior following the 2020 election. Each of the 18 defendants in the case faces racketeering charges under the Georgia Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a law typically used against large criminal enterprises.
Fani Willis’s use of this legislation in President Trump’s case has sparked controversy due to its unusual application.
By entering a plea early, each defendant waives their obligation to appear in court for arraignment on Sept. 6. This move may be followed by others charged in the case.
Sidney Powell, along with the other defendants, is charged with a RICO violation. She also faces multiple counts of conspiracy, including election fraud, computer theft, computer trespass, computer invasion of privacy, and defrauding the state. Each charge is a felony.
Trevian Kutti is charged with RICO, conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings, and influencing witnesses. Like Powell, each charge is a felony.
Ray Smith is charged with violating the RICO Act and 11 other offenses, including solicitation of violation of oath of office, false statements and writing, impersonating a public officer, forgery, and filing false documents.
President Trump and his allies argue that the charges are politically motivated and infringe on their First Amendment rights. They maintain that contesting the election results and investigating fraud were within their rights.
In addition to the Georgia case, President Trump is facing charges in three other cases. One accuses him of unlawfully overturning the 2020 election results in Washington, while another charges him with illegal retention of classified documents. The third case, based in Manhattan, alleges campaign finance violations related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
It remains to be seen whether President Trump will waive his arraignment hearing or choose to attend in person.
As charges continue to mount, the legal battles surrounding the former president show no signs of slowing down.
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