Title: Two Co-Defendants Surrender in Georgia Election Fraud Case
Subtitle: Former President Donald Trump’s associates take the first step in a high-profile case
Washington — Scott Hall, a Georgia bail bondsman, and John Eastman, a conservative attorney, turned themselves in to authorities on Thursday over their alleged involvement in efforts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election. They are the first co-defendants of former President Donald Trump to surrender in connection with the case.
Fulton County inmate records indicate that Hall and Eastman were booked on Tuesday. Both individuals were eligible for bond. Eastman, who was released from the Fulton County jail, spoke to reporters and reiterated his belief that the 2020 election was stolen.
The charges stem from a 41-count indictment returned by a Fulton County grand jury last week. The indictment accuses Trump and 18 others of participating in a “criminal enterprise” aimed at overturning Trump’s electoral loss in Georgia.
Hall is accused of being part of a scheme to access election equipment and voter data in Coffee County, Georgia. He faces seven counts, with his bond set at $10,000. On the other hand, Eastman allegedly played a key role in the alleged plot to send a fake slate of electors to Congress. He has been charged with nine counts, and his bond is set at $100,000.
Eastman’s release came shortly after he participated in an Oval Office meeting on January 4, 2021, with Trump, then-Vice President Mike Pence, and two of Pence’s top aides. During the meeting, Trump and Eastman argued for delaying Congress’ counting of the electoral votes on January 6, 2021.
As the proceedings unfold, two other defendants, former Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Clark and ex-Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer, are seeking to have their prosecutions moved from Fulton County Superior Court to federal district court in Atlanta. They argue that their cases should be resolved in a federal court since their alleged actions were related to their work in the executive branch.
Clark’s lawyers claim that the allegations made against him are baseless and an attempt to destroy his reputation. They also state that his prosecution will result in significant financial costs and damage his standing in the conservative legal community.
Meanwhile, Shafer’s lawyers argue that the charges against him stem from actions he took as a Republican nominee and as a presidential elector acting under federal authority. They claim that the Supremacy Clause prohibits the state of Georgia from prosecuting him for these actions.
The developments come amidst Mark Meadows, Trump’s former White House chief of staff, also seeking to have his case moved to federal court due to his involvement as a federal employee. Meadows’ attorneys have appealed to the district court to prevent his arrest if he fails to meet the Friday deadline to surrender.
The outcome of these cases will undoubtedly have significant implications on the broader discourse surrounding the 2020 election and alleged attempts to overturn its results.
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