Trump's legal counsel ordered to testify in Gaga election inquiry

Atlanta (AP) — Colorado judge on Tuesday General Counsel for former President Donald Trump's campaign ordered by the US to travel to Georgia to investigate whether Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in Georgia. Testified before a special grand jury. He made this decision after holding a public hearing after being asked to do so. I am interested in Ellis' role in assisting in the coordination and planning of legislative hearings.

Fulton County prosecutors purchased plane tickets and booked hotels for Ellis in preparation for her testimony on August 25th.

The investigation was launched in January 2021 by a phone call between Trump and the Georgia secretary. Brad Ravensperger's of the state started early last year. In that call, Trump suggested Ravensperger could "find" votes to overturn his narrow election loss in the state.

Willis filed a petition last month with the judge overseeing the special grand jury, asking Ellis to , South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, tried to coerce testimony from seven of Trump's associates and advisers, including a former senator. New York City Mayor and Trump Attorney Rudy Giuliani. Because they don't live in Georgia, they had to use the process of getting a judge in their state to order them to appear before a special grand jury in Atlanta.

Giuliani, who has been informed that he is under investigation, is scheduled to testify before a special grand jury on Wednesday. He said Graham's subpoena ordered him to testify on Aug. 23, but he will appeal Monday's order of a judge who refuses to vacate his subpoena. .

In a petition seeking Ellis' testimony, Willis described her as a "legal advocate for the Trump campaign seeking to influence the outcome of the November 2020 elections in Georgia and elsewhere." He identified himself as a hard-working lawyer.

Ellis attended a state Senate committee hearing with Giuliani at the Georgia State Capitol on December 3, 2020, during which the false allegations of election fraud were made. writes Willis. She also said that when Congress met to certify the election results on Jan. 6, then-Vice President Mike Pence had "not been certified from Georgia and other allegedly 'disputed' states." wrote at least two legal memos to Trump and his lawyers, advising them to "ignore the electoral college votes that were made." , 2021, the petition states.

Evidence indicates Ellis' actions were "part of a multi-state coordinated plan by the Trump campaign to influence the outcome of the November 2020 elections in Georgia and elsewhere." Willis writes.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who is overseeing the special grand jury, signed Willis' petition to end Ellis and her other Trump associates. ordered to testify. He issued so-called material witness certificates stating that they were "necessary and material" witnesses for a special grand jury investigation.

Colorado Judge Rammonds heard the opinions of Ellis' attorney Michael Merritt and prosecutor Dawn Downs at an online-streamed hearing at the Larimer County District Attorney's Office in Colorado. Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten attended the teleconference from Atlanta as a witness to testify why Ellis' appearance was necessary.

Ramons found that there was sufficient evidence that Ellis was a material witness, and no evidence that a one-day trip to Atlanta for testimony would be undue burden on him. did. He said the issue of attorney-client privilege that Ellis wanted to raise should be dealt with by Judge McBurney of Georgia.

The special grand jury It operates in secret and has no authority to prosecute. Once the investigation is complete, a report with recommendations will be issued. Willis must then decide whether to go to a regular grand jury to seek indictment.