Legal expert breaks down why Trump may be facing a 'greater legal threat' in Georgia as opposed to the Mar-a-Lago case

27 August 2022

A top trial lawyer in the state of Georgia is offering a comparison of two of the investigations former President Donald Trump is facing.

During a recent interview with The Guardian, Ronald Carlson, with the University of Georgia School of Law, suggested that the former president should be more concerned about the election interference investigation being conducted in Fulton County as opposed to the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into his removal of official government documents from the White House.

According to Carlson, it appears Trump's alleged handling of government documents may only lead to minor consequences but the case in Georgia could result in more severe criminal charges.

The Guardian's Chris McGreal also noted that Trump is facing three serious investigative probes: the DOJ's investigation into the mishandling of government documents, the New York investigation into the Trump Organization, and the Georgia grand jury's probe into election tampering.

McGreal also explained Carlson's perspective on the case of the classified document and why the consequences may not be harsh.

"Carlson said that even if Trump were prosecuted for removing classified papers from the White House, other officials who have mishandled secret material received only misdemeanor convictions and probation, such as the former CIA director David Petraeus," McGreal wrote.

"He said the New York investigations into allegations of financial fraud are focused more on Trump’s businesses than on the former president," he wrote. "It remains unclear what, if any, criminal charges might come out of Congress' investigation into the 6 January, 2021 assault on Congress."

In reference to the Georgia investigative probe, Carlson said, "It’s a greater legal threat to the president and some of his followers than any of the other investigations which are going on right now. Some of the potential charges carry very serious penalties.”

To further explain, Carlson added, "The focus for this grand jury is solicitation of election fraud. Presumably, most of the evidence that they’re receiving will focus on that. Then there will be making false statements to state or other governmental bodies. The creation of a slate of electors, which took the position that Trump had won the election, will come under that sort of umbrella. Then we’ll probably have the grand jury looking at criminal conspiracy and violation of oath of office."

He also noted, "The special grand jury can sit until next May, giving it plenty of time to gather evidence. But unlike regular grand juries, which meet for only two months and issue indictments, it can only submit a report recommending prosecution. Willis must then decide whether to follow that recommendation and appoint a regular grand jury to seek an indictment against Trump or anyone else. Carlson predicted that if the special grand jury recommends prosecution, the district attorney will go ahead," the Guardian report states, with Carlson adding, "She’s a very vigorous and bold advocate. I believe that she will follow through.”

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