Wisconsin Expands Felony Charges Against Trump Attorneys and Aide
Wisconsin prosecutors have filed 10 additional felony charges against Jim Troupis, Kenneth Chesebro, and Mike Roman—three allies of President-elect Donald Trump—over their roles in the 2020 fake electors scheme. Each now faces 11 felony counts related to forgery and fraud, with potential penalties of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine per charge.
The amended complaint alleges the trio used falsified elector certificates claiming Trump had won Wisconsin’s 10 Electoral College votes. This paperwork was intended to be delivered to then-Vice President Mike Pence despite Joe Biden’s certified win in the state.
Electors’ Testimonies Challenge Legal Claims
The complaint highlights that most of Wisconsin’s Republican electors, whose signatures were used, believed the certificates would only be activated if a court overturned the state’s election results. Several electors stated they did not consent to having their signatures submitted to Congress without such a ruling.
Defendants’ Legal Strategy
Troupis, Trump’s attorney in Wisconsin, filed multiple motions to dismiss the charges, arguing that:
- The elector meeting was a precautionary measure to preserve legal options pending a Supreme Court ruling.
- Federal law supersedes state jurisdiction in this case.
- The complaint omits exculpatory facts.
- State election crime prosecutions must be initiated by county district attorneys, not the state attorney general.
Wider Implications of the Fake Electors Scheme
Wisconsin’s charges join a broader legal battle over the fake electors plot, with similar cases pending in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Georgia. Federal prosecutors previously identified Wisconsin as the origin of the scheme in their investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The scheme also featured in a federal racketeering case against Trump, which Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped following Trump’s 2024 election victory.
What’s Next?
The defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Meanwhile, Trump continues to face related charges in Georgia, where he is seeking to dismiss the case, citing presidential immunity from state prosecutions.
As legal battles over the 2020 election persist, these developments underscore the enduring consequences of Trump’s efforts to challenge his loss.
COMMENTS