Reports have emerged that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is assembling evidence to potentially indict former President Donald Trump on racketeering charges. These charges are said to be related to alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.
According to sources familiar with the matter, The Guardian reported that Willis has compiled evidence that could support a racketeering indictment, which would be based on statutes pertaining to “computer trespass and influencing witnesses.”
In Georgia, the racketeering statute necessitates prosecutors to demonstrate the existence of an “enterprise” and a pattern of racketeering activity involving at least two “qualifying” crimes.
The charge of computer trespass would involve showing that the defendants accessed a network or computer without authorization to interfere with data or programs, which reportedly includes a breach of voting machines in Coffee County.
Willis’ office has been conducting an investigation into potential charges against Trump in connection with the 2020 election for more than two years. A special grand jury in Atlanta reportedly heard evidence for approximately seven months and recommended charges against more than a dozen individuals, including Trump. However, for potential indictments to proceed, Willis would need to present the case to a regular grand jury.
The regular grand jury was seated on July 11, and its selection process was attended by Willis and two prosecutors known to be involved in the Trump investigation: Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten and special prosecutor Nathan Wade, the Post Millennial reports.
While charges stemming from this investigation are anticipated to be announced between the end of July and the first two weeks of August, the situation remains fluid and subject to developments.
As Trump’s legal team gears up for yet another indictment, they received a development today from federal Judge Aileen Cannon, who announced a May 2024 trial date for the former president’s classified documents case.
Prosecutor Jack Smith’s team had hoped to get the trial moved up substantially, while Trump’s side wanted to push the start date back until after the 2024 election. Cannon ended up splitting the difference in her decision.