Current:Home > FinanceLindsey Graham among those Georgia grand jury recommended for charges in 2020 probe -Blueprint Wealth Network
Lindsey Graham among those Georgia grand jury recommended for charges in 2020 probe
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:05:14
Sen. Lindsey Graham and former national security adviser Michael Flynn were among 20 individuals that a special purpose grand jury recommended be charged in the Fulton County DA's election interference probe -- but were never charged -- according to the panel's full report that was released publicly this morning.
A Georgia judge released the findings of the panel, which aided in DA Fani Wills' investigation into efforts of Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results in the state, which in turn led to last month's sweeping racketeering indictment against Trump and 18 others.
The special purpose grand jury, seated in 2022, did not have the power to indict but gathered evidence as part of the nearly eight-month probe and subsequently made sealed recommendations about who should be charged in the case. Willis was not bound by their recommendations.
MORE: Trump may seek to have his Georgia election interference case removed to federal court
Graham and Flynn were not among those charged in the DA's case.
Others who the special purpose grand jury recommended for charges, but were not ultimately charged, included then-Sen. David Purdue, then- Sen. Kelly Loeffler, Trump 2024 campaign senior adviser Boris Epshteyn, and attorney Cleta Mitchell.
In total, the special purpose grand jury recommended charges against 39 individuals -- 20 more than the 19 that Willis ultimately indicted.
A separate regular grand jury returned the indictment against Trump and the 18 others last month. All 19 have pleaded not guilty.
Though the special purpose grand jury did not have indictment power, Willis has said she needed its subpoena power to compel testimony from witnesses who would not comply with the investigation otherwise.
Prosecutors said the 26-person panel heard testimony from over 75 witnesses, including close Trump allies Rudy Giuliani, former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The special grand jury's work culminated in a report with charging recommendations, which was delivered to the DA but was never fully released to the public.
The release of the full report is expected to reveal who the special purpose grand jury recommended to be charged and what charges it recommended -- as well as how that information aligns with the charges Willis ultimately brought.
The DA was not bound by the special purpose grand jury's recommendations and was free to pursue her own charges.
Once the report was completed this past February, Judge Robert McBurney ordered most of it to remain under seal "until such time as the District Attorney completes her investigation." A few portions of the report were released, but none of the charging recommendations were.
In addition to report's introduction and conclusion, one section was released in which the grand jury recommended perjury charges for some witnesses who they said may have lied under oath during their testimony -- but the redacted report did not include their identities.
In ordering the full report to now be released, McBurney wrote that the filing of the indictment last month "eliminates the due process concerns" that previously kept the majority of the report sealed.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- UCLA baseball team locked out of home field in lawsuit over lease involving veteran land
- Costco Shuts Down Claim Diddy Bought Baby Oil From Them in Bulk
- Woman accused of running a high-end brothel network to plead guilty
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Cardi B Unveils One of Her Edgiest Looks Yet Amid Drama With Estranged Husband Offset
- Groups work to engage young voters in democracy as election processes come under scrutiny
- The Daily Money: How much house can I afford?
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Brett Favre Parkinson's diagnosis potentially due to head trauma, concussions
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- US resumes hazardous waste shipments to Michigan landfill from Ohio
- Brett Favre Parkinson's diagnosis potentially due to head trauma, concussions
- Is there a better live sonic feast than Jeff Lynne's ELO? Not a chance.
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Why Paige DeSorbo Wasn't by Boyfriend Craig Conover's Side at 2024 People's Choice Country Awards
- Tribal Members Journey to Washington Push for Reauthorization of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
- Trevon Diggs vs. Malik Nabers: Cowboys CB and Giants WR feud, explained
Recommendation
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
How Shania Twain Transformed Into Denim Barbie for Must-See 2024 People's Choice Country Awards Look
Tribal Members Journey to Washington Push for Reauthorization of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
Pink denies rumors that she wiped social media accounts after Sean 'Diddy' Combs' arrest
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Groups work to engage young voters in democracy as election processes come under scrutiny
How Shania Twain Transformed Into Denim Barbie for Must-See 2024 People's Choice Country Awards Look
NASCAR Cup Series playoffs enter Round of 12: Where drivers stand before Kansas race