Justice Department’s Special Counsel Investigators Interview Rudy Giuliani in Election Interference Probe
The Justice Department’s special counsel investigators recently interviewed Rudy Giuliani as part of their probe into alleged efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election, according to a spokesperson for Giuliani. The appearance was voluntary and conducted in a professional manner, said the spokesperson.
Giuliani, who served as former President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, was questioned about fundraising and meetings that took place between November 3, 2020, and January 6, 2021, when President-elect Biden’s electoral college victory was certified despite a deadly riot at the Capitol. CNN first reported the interview, stating that investigators were particularly interested in meetings Giuliani attended at the White House.
During the interview, Giuliani was asked about his interactions with other attorneys who falsely alleged that Trump had won the 2020 election. These attorneys included John Eastman, who crafted a legal strategy to reject state electoral votes, Sydney Powell, who claimed widespread voter fraud prevented Trump from winning, and Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official who was accused of crafting a plan to instruct state legislatures to select new electors. However, the special counsel did not indicate that Giuliani is a subject of the investigation.
The special counsel’s investigation into election interference has gained steam since Trump was indicted in relation to a separate probe into alleged mishandling of documents. Trump entered a not guilty plea to 37 felony charges in that case. On Wednesday, the special counsel will interview Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in Atlanta, focusing on a recorded phone call between Trump and Raffensperger in which Trump asked to find 11,780 votes.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has also been investigating the phone call and has expanded the probe to involve dozens of Trump’s allies. Charging decisions related to the investigation are expected to be announced in August. Additionally, Trump became the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges when he was indicted on 34 felony counts related to alleged falsification of business records in a separate New York state grand jury case.
Trump’s attorneys in the New York case are trying to have it moved to federal court, but a judge appeared skeptical of their argument that the payments were made as official acts tied to Trump’s presidency.
Graham Kates, CBS News investigative reporter, covers criminal justice, privacy issues, and information security. Contact Graham at KatesG@cbsnews.com or grahamkates@protonmail.com.
This investigation into election interference and alleged mishandling of documents continues to unfold, with key figures like Giuliani and Raffensperger being interviewed by the special counsel. As the probe progresses, more information is expected to emerge regarding the extent of any potential interference and the involvement of individuals close to Trump. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the former president and his associates.
Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-06-28 03:46:59
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