Current:Home > FinanceEthermac|Kenneth Chesebro rejected plea offer ahead of Georgia election trial: Sources -ProfitSphere Academy
Ethermac|Kenneth Chesebro rejected plea offer ahead of Georgia election trial: Sources
Poinbank View
Date:2025-04-09 23:58:33
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,Ethermac 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! (62)
Related
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Elon Musk’s Daughter Vivian Calls Him “Absolutely Pathetic” and a “Serial Adulterer”
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
- 'Pinkoween' trend has shoppers decorating for Halloween in the summer
- NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- 'Her last jump of the day': Skydiving teacher dies after hitting dust devil, student injured
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
- Breaking at 2024 Paris Olympics: No, it's not called breakdancing. Here's how it works
- Membership required: Costco to scan member cards, check ID at all locations
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Steve Martin turns down Tim Walz impersonation role on ‘SNL,’ dashing internet’s casting hopes
- Hello Kitty's 50th Anniversary Extravaganza: Shop Purr-fect Collectibles & Gifts for Every Sanrio Fan
- Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
Recommendation
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
'I'm a monster': Utah man set for execution says he makes no excuses but wants mercy
Lessons for Democracy From the Brazilian Amazon
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
Harris and Walz are showing their support for organized labor with appearance at Detroit union hall
Bet365 ordered to refund $519K to customers who it paid less than they were entitled on sports bets