Georgia Donald Trump grand jury may have evidence of perjury in potential RICO case: report
With Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis' criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election believed to be approaching its apex – indictments of Trump allies or even Trump himself – new concerns have emerged that key witnesses may have provided false testimony to the grand jury tasked with determining whether charges are warranted, according to a Wednesday Arizona Central report.
Portions of the grand jury's findings are scheduled for release on Thursday, potentially providing critical insights into what Willis learned about Team Trump's activities following his loss to President Joe Biden.
"Descriptions of the alleged lies could be unveiled Thursday, when parts of the grand jury's long-awaited report on the Trump probe is made public. Though the witnesses won't be identified and no one has been charged, prosecutors could pursue perjury charges as leverage to broaden the investigation, according to legal experts," Arizona Central explained. "Charges for lying to investigators or perjury are rare because they can be difficult to prove and peripheral to the main case, according to legal experts. But federal prosecutors have convicted witnesses in recent years with lying to authorities during previous investigations of Trump."
READ MORE: 'Writing is on the wall': Experts say indictments likely after Georgia grand jury report
While it is not yet publicly known what evidence has been amassed by Willis, there are clues that she and her prosecutors are handling the Trump case like they would organized crime.
Willis "hired an expert in conspiracy cases against Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations and legal experts said she may pursue RICO charges in this case," Arizona Central continued. "A RICO charge alleges the suspect participated in at least two crimes, as part of a pattern of criminal activity. State and federal prosecutors – including Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani – have wielded RICO laws in recent decades to combat organized crime and drug dealing. Dozens of charges qualify to build a RICO case, including perjury, bribery and tampering with witnesses or evidence."
Western Carolina University criminology professor Tom Morgan expanded on why that is significant.
"It makes the other counts stronger in the RICO case because it shows a pattern of covering up," Morgan said. "Juries don’t like that."
