Georgia’s election interference indictment against former President Donald Trump and 18 others is making headlines across the globe. Knowles Gallant Timmons Partner Chris Timmons explained to an international audience in Canada what the indictment in Georgia could mean for the former U.S. president.

Of the numerous charges outlined in the indictment, one that is most often used to target members of organized crime groups is especially unique. Georgia’s racketeering statute, better known as RICO, is similar to a federal statute but offers state prosecutors more leverage. Timmons, an Atlanta trial lawyer and former prosecutor explained, “It’s a ridiculously broad statute.”

He said, “Any time you’ve got a scheme, a group of people who are committing multiple acts in furtherance of a conspiracy, Georgia RICO is going to be applicable in that situation.” RICO stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

In explaining what the RICO charge means for Trump in Georgia, Timmons underscored the state’s broad scope of relevance in terms of evidence. “[…] Suddenly everything is relevant, nothing is
inadmissible. You can bring in all of the things that Rudolph Giuliani did, all of the things that [former Trump lawyer Jenna] Ellis did in the case against Trump. What would ordinarily be irrelevant is coming into your case.”

Timmons has been interviewed about the case by numerous global and U.S. media outlets. To read his full interview with Canada’s CBS News, please click here.