WASHINGTON: A co-defendant in former US President Donald Trump’s election interference case in Georgia pleaded guilty to five counts yesterday (Sept 29) and agreed to testify in future proceedings in the election racketeering case, which involves 19 defendants.
Scott Hall was the first of the defendants to enter a guilty plea in the case, United Press International cited The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s report.
He was initially charged with racketeering and six felony counts of conspiracy but pleaded guilty to five misdemeanour counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with the performance of election duties.
As part of the deal, Judge Scott McAfee sentenced Hall to five years probation, a US$5,000 fine, 200 hours of community service, and banned him from participating in future polling election-related activities. Hall also agreed to testify in future hearings linked to the case.
“You understand that you’re pleading guilty today because you believe there exists a factual basis that supports the plea, and you are pleading guilty because you are, in fact, guilty?” McAfee asked Hall, who replied in the affirmative.
Prosecutors said Hall, a bail bondsman, was among several people who attempted to breach sensitive voting data at the Coffee County election office on Jan 7, 2021.
“The ultimate goal of the criminal conspiracy was to unlawfully access all election machines in Coffee County, Georgia, that were utilised on November 3, 2020, presidential election … in order to obtain proprietary data or property of Dominion Voting Systems used in the administration of elections in the state of Georgia,” a court employee told The Hill.
The other 18 defendants in the case, including Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. Jury selection for a trial involving attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, is expected to begin October 20.– BERNAMA-UPI
