Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who is one of the co-defendants charged with racketeering in the Georgia 2020 election probe, is seeking to move the Fulton County case to federal court.
In a 14-page court document filed on Tuesday, Meadows argued that the charges in the indictment pertain to actions he took while serving in the Trump administration. His attorneys wrote: “Mr. Meadows has the right to remove this matter. The conduct giving rise to the charges in the indictment all occurred during his tenure and as part of his service as Chief of Staff.” Meadows’ lawyers requested “prompt removal,” citing a federal law that allows a United States officer to remove a civil action or criminal prosecution in state court against them to the district court.
The request from Meadows comes just one day after the former Chief of Staff, along with former President Donald Trump and 17 other defendants, were indicted on felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Meadows faces two counts in the sprawling 41-count indictment, including alleged violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act and solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer.
The probe was launched by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. According to the indictment, Meadows, Trump and other unindicted co-conspirators “unlawfully solicited, requested, and importuned” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021. Trump shares the charges faced by Meadows and faces 11 additional counts, stemming from allegedly filing false documents, making false statements and writings, and several conspiracy charges. Other Trump allies were also charged, including Rudy Giuliani and former Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark. Trump and Giuliani have denied any wrongdoing.
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