Current:Home > InvestKenneth Chesebro rejected plea offer ahead of Georgia election trial: Sources -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Kenneth Chesebro rejected plea offer ahead of Georgia election trial: Sources
Algosensey View
Date:2025-03-11 10:24:06
One of former President Donald Trump's co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case rejected a plea deal from prosecutors ahead of his trial this month, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Attorney Kenneth Chesebro, one of the 18 defendants charged alongside Trump in Fulton County case racketeering case, rejected an offer from prosecutors, the sources said.
The deal would have allowed Chesebro to avoid prison time by pleading guilty to one felony count of racketeering, the top charge in the indictment, according to the sources.
MORE: Jury selection to begin Friday in first Georgia election interference trial
He would have had to agree to testify against his codefendants -- including Trump -- in exchange for three years' probation and a $10,000 fine.
The terms of the deal also included a written letter of apology, the sources said. The deal would have been made under Georgia's first-offender act, under which the conviction would have been wiped from Chesebro's record after probation was completed.
Chesebro rejected the deal in late September, the sources said. He is facing seven counts after allegedly drafting a strategy to use so-called "alternate electors" to prevent Joe Biden from receiving 270 electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election, according to the indictment.
An attorney for Chesebro declined to comment to ABC News. A spokesperson for the Fulton County district attorney's office also declined to comment.
Chesebro's trial, alongside co-defendant Sidney Powell, is set to begin this week after the pair opted for a speedy trial. Jury selection gets underway on Friday.
Earlier in September, a Fulton County prosecutor indicated in court that they intended to extend deals to Chesebro and Powell ahead of trial.
"We'll sit down and kind of put some things together and we'll reach out to defense counsel individually to extend an offer," said prosecutor Nathan Wade when pressed by the judge.
Later that day, one of the 19 charged in the indictment became the first to accept a deal in the case. Scott Hall pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties in exchange for immunity and a fine, and agreed to testify against Trump and others.
In early October, ABC News reported that a number of the defendants in the Fulton County case had received plea deal offers or had been approached about potentially making a deal by the district attorney's office, multiple sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty in August to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia.
The former president has blasted the district attorney's investigation as being politically motivated.
veryGood! (865)
Related
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Ravens sign veteran edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney
- Lionel Messi 'enjoying the moment' in new stage of career with David Beckham's Inter Miami
- How to treat dehydration: What to do if you are dehydrated, according to an expert
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- No death penalty for a Utah mom accused of killing her husband, then writing a kid book about death
- Revamp Your Beauty Routine With These Tips From Southern Charm Star Madison LeCroy
- Australian home declared safe after radioactive material discovered
- 'Most Whopper
- Selena Gomez Is Taking a Wrecking Ball to Any Miley Cyrus Feud Rumors
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- UCLA coach Mick Cronin: Realignment not 'in the best interest of the student-athlete'
- Three 6 Mafia turns $4500 into $45 million with Mystic Stylez
- Darius Jackson Speaks Out Amid Keke Palmer Breakup Reports
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Biden administration sharply expands temporary status for Ukrainians already in US
- Iran’s foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince as tensions between rivals ease
- 'Motivated by insatiable greed': Miami real estate agent who used PPP funds on Bentley sentenced
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Southern Baptist leader resigns from top administrative post for lying on his resume about schooling
Local governments are spending billions of pandemic relief funds, but some report few specifics
Thousands flee raging wildfire, turning capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories into ghost town
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Hilary rapidly grows to Category 4 hurricane off Mexico and could bring heavy rain to US Southwest
Passenger who survived fiery crash that claimed 4 lives is facing charges
Migos’ Quavo releases ‘Rocket Power,’ his first solo album since Takeoff’s death