An ex-federal prosecutor suggested that Republicans who participated in the fake electors scheme in seven states to overturn the results in 2020 presidential elections could face criminal charges.
Glenn Kirschner, served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for 24 years, suggested that the fake 59 electors could face criminal charges, conspiracy to commit fraud and forgery as fake Electoral College documents were sent through U.S. Postal Service.
The most serious offense could lead to a 20-year sentence in prison.
“That’s not an exhaustive list,” Kirschner said in an interview with HuffPost, This indicates that the fake electors could face additional charges than those mentioned above.
Kirshner stated that the threat of prosecution could encourage many Republicans to cooperate with the Department of Justice (DOJ), if a formal investigation is opened. He believes that the lawmakers involved will be charged.
“These folks should all be charged yesterday,” Kirschner said.
Some of the fake electors sought to distance from the scheme by claiming their fraudulent votes were accompanied in addendums stating that the votes should not be counted if Trump or his allies are successful in their legal challenges. This is a statement. was attached to a fake Electoral College document from Pennsylvania RepublicansFor example,
But in Georgia, where the Republicans involved issued a similar document, electors could face charges because their disclaiming statement wasn’t included with the votes they sent to the National Archives and to Congress.
Fake electors from other states didn’t include statements acknowledging that their votes should only be counted if court challenges were successful. The fake documents were identical to the legitimate Electoral College certification notices. They were printed on a different paper type, however.
The fake electors may consider making plea arrangements if they have evidence that members of Trump’s inner circle were pressuring them to help the former president overturn the results of the election. The scheme ultimately attempted to stop the certification of the presidential elections on January 6. Rudy Giuliani was reportedly the manager, Trump’s former lawyer, along with members of Trump’s campaign team.
But it’s possible that other individuals were involved in the plan, including current members of Congress; if this is the case, fake electors could potentially make plea arrangements based on their involvement. Representative Scott Fitzgerald, a Wisconsin Republican who was a member at the time of the state legislature, was implicated in the plan. arranged for a room to be reserved for the fake electors at the state Capitol buildingThe day before, Biden won the state with the help of legitimate electors who had gathered there to cast their ballots. It’s possible that Wisconsin electors with knowledge of Fitzgerald’s actions could arrange a plea deal with the Justice Department by implicating him as a participant in the scheme.
Although his home state wasn’t one of the seven states involved, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) His involvement in the plan could lead to him facing repercussions. Last month, Jordan confirmed that he was one of several GOP lawmakers who texted Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows encouraging him to convince then-Vice President Mike Pence to recognize the fake electors as legitimate.
After being asked by the public, the DOJ began investigating the scheme to fake electors. several state attorneys generalThe department must do so. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said to CNN on Tuesday.
“We’ve received those referrals. Our prosecutors are looking at those and I can’t say anything more on ongoing investigations,” Monaco said.
