Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, broke down in tears and pleaded guilty in Georgia where she, the former president and others have been charged with trying to overturn the 2020 election.
In a deal with prosecutors Ellis, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings.
She had been facing more serious charges of violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering law.
It came days after two other former Trump lawyers – Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro – also struck deals and pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
A tearful Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in court in Fulton County, Georgia
This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia shows Jenna Ellis on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023
Ellis was indicted two months ago along with Trump, Powell, Chesebro and more than a dozen other defendants, who were accused of a sprawling criminal conspiracy to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia.
Her deal means she could now testify against Trump, who has pleaded not guilty in the case.
Addressing the court through tears, Ellis blamed her crime on ‘more experienced’ lawyers she had worked with to challenge the election on behalf of Trump.
She worked closely with Rudy Giuliani, the former New York Mayor who became Trump’s personal lawyer, although she did not name Giuliani in her statement.
Ellis said: ‘I’m an attorney who is also a Christian. I take my responsibilities as a lawyer very seriously. I relied on others, including lawyers with many more years of experience, to provide me with true and reliable information. Especially since my role involves speaking to the media and to legislators in various states.
‘What I did not do but should have done, Your Honor, was to make sure that the facts the other lawyers alleged to be true were in fact true.’
Jenna Ellis wipes away tears as she addresses the court
Ellis listens to the judge as she gets five years probation
Jenna Ellis addresses a press conference with other members of President Donald Trump’s legal team, including former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, left, Sidney Powell, middle, at the Republican National Committee headquarters, Thursday Nov. 19, 2020, in Washington
She added: ‘In the frenetic pace of attempting to raise challenges to the election in several states, including Georgia, I failed to do my due diligence.
‘I believe in and I value election integrity. And if I knew then what I know now, I would have declined to represent Donald Trump in these post-election challenges.’
Ellis told he court she felt ‘deep remorse’ and added: ‘I apologize to the people of Georgia.’
Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis address a hearing after the 2020 eletion
Last week Chesebro pleaded guilty to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents.
Prosecutors recommended several years probation, $5,000 restitution, and that he write an apology letter to the citizens of Georgia, and do 100 hours community service.
Powell last week pleaded guilty to conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
She admitted six criminal counts in a deal with prosecutors that saw her receive a reduced sentence.
Powell avoided jail and was given six years probation.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com
