Three former allies of former President Donald Trump were charged in Wisconsin for their alleged involvement in a scheme to send fake electors to Congress after the 2020 presidential election in an attempt to keep Trump in power for a second term. Kenneth Chesebro, James Troupis, and Michael Roman each face one felony count of forgery, with a potential sentence of up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to present certificates of electoral votes from individuals who were not Wisconsin’s duly appointed electors. The Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
The indictment accuses Chesebro of sending memos to Troupis outlining a plan to organize Trump supporters to act as fake electors in swing states where Trump lost. These false elector votes were intended to be counted by then-Vice President Mike Pence during the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021. After receiving the memo, Troupis said he planned to circulate it at the White House and indicated that he had sent it to key decision-makers. The defendants communicated further about the false elector certificates that were signed by Trump electors from Wisconsin on December 14.
Chesebro, Troupis, and Roman met at the Wisconsin State Capitol on December 14, where they cast Electoral College votes for Trump and Pence. Communications indicate that Troupis was instrumental in proposing the idea of electors voting on December 14. The effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election and keep Trump in office has resulted in charges in multiple states, including Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Georgia. Trump himself faces charges in several jurisdictions related to election fraud and attempts to subvert the transfer of presidential power.
Chesebro, a key figure in the scheme, was also charged in a racketeering case in Georgia and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit filing false documents. Roman, a GOP operative, was charged in Fulton County and Arizona in connection to the fake elector scheme. Troupis, who briefly served as a circuit court judge in Wisconsin, represented Trump in the state during the 2020 presidential election. Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin responded positively to news of the charges, signaling his approval of the legal action taken against the defendants. Attorneys for the three men charged in Wisconsin could not be immediately reached for comment on the indictments.
The charges levied in Wisconsin against the three defendants are part of a broader effort to hold individuals accountable for their roles in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The indictments in multiple states and jurisdictions underscore the seriousness of the allegations and signal a commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. With additional charges pending in other states, including Georgia and Arizona, the legal consequences for those involved in election fraud and attempts to subvert democracy remain significant. The ongoing investigations and prosecutions underscore the importance of safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring that the results of free and fair elections are respected and upheld.
