Former Donald Trump attorney Sidney Powell has pleaded guilty to assisting the former president in his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. In September, Powell had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, which included conspiracy to commit election fraud and racketeering.
Her trial was set to begin Monday; however, on Thursday, she avoided prosecution by pleading guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties. She has been sentenced to six years’ probation, a $6,000 fine, and she must write a letter of apology to the citizens of Georgia.
Powell had been charged under Georgia’s RICO act by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, in part for her role in the January 2021 Coffee County elections office breaches. In pretrial filings, Powell’s attorneys denied that she had participated in the breaches.
Part of Powell’s plea stipulates that she will testify against her co-defendants if called by prosecutors.
Powell is the second co-defendant in the case to plead guilty. Late last month, Scott Hall pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts in the case. He was one of the individuals who traveled to Douglas and gained access to the voting machines and ballots.
Attorney Kenneth Cheseboro, who was scheduled to stand trial with Powell next week, has rejected a plea deal, according to reports. Cheseboro declined the offer, which was one felony count of racketeering. He would have had to pay a $10,000 fine, serve three years on probation, and write a letter similar to that of Powell.
Cheseboro will now face trial on seven charges related to the “fake electors” plot in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Jury selection in his case begins tomorrow. The trial will start Monday morning.