Crime & Safety
Trump Pleads Not Guilty, Waives Arraignment In GA RICO Case: Reports
Ex-President Donald J. Trump and 18 others are accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
ATLANTA, GA — Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump pleaded not guilty and waived a formal arraignment in Georgia's election interference case, both Reuters Legal and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing a Thursday court filing.
Trump was charged on suspicion of violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, three counts of solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery, two counts of conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, filing false documents and false statements and writings.
He surrendered to the Fulton County Jail on Aug. 24 and was released on a $200,000 bond, using Lawrenceville's Foster Bail Bonds.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Trump, a Republican, has been accused of trying to interfere with the 2020 presidential election, during which he lost the race to current Democratic President Joe Biden. Georgia's indictment is the fourth for the ex-president in connection with the election.
His co-defendants include prestigious political figures, such as former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Georgia Sen. Shawn Still and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
RELATED: 1st Federal Court Hearing In Trump's Georgia RICO Case Held: Reports
Trump and his allies were indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on Aug. 14 on RICO charges. Some of the defendants are accused of impersonating a police officer, acting as fake electors and trying to access a Coffee County voting machine to change votes.
The AJC reported Thursday ex-Trump attorneys Ray Smith and Sidney Powell, as well as former Kanye West publicist Trevian Kutti, also pleaded not guilty and waived arraignments.
RELATED: 2020 Presidential Election In Georgia 'Not Stolen': Kemp
Trump has maintained his innocence throughout his indictment, contending the Georgia case against him has "no basis" and calling the case a "witch hunt.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis initially proposed the trial start on March 4, but Willis soon followed up with a new proposal for an Oct. 23 start date. Trump requested an April 2026 trial date.
Court proceedings in Trump's Fulton case will be broadcasted on Fulton County Court Judge Scott McAfee's YouTube channel, the AJC reported.
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