Georgia

Key figures in the Donald Trump/Georgia election interference investigation

Published

1 year ago

July 20, 2023

Key figures in the Donald Trump/Georgia election interference investigation

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – In May 2022, a special grand jury seated in Fulton County – Georgia’s most heavily populated and home to the city of Atlanta – began an investigation into allegations that former President Donald Trump attempted to influence the outcome of the state’s 2020 general election.

Here are the key players in that investigation:

The former president

On Jan. 2, 2021, the nation’s 45th president and his aides placed a call from the White House to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger regarding the outcome of the state’s 2020 presidential election results, an election that Trump had lost by just over 11,000 votes. In that call, Trump appealed to Georgia’s top elections official to help him “find 11,780 votes,” just enough needed to beat Democrat Joe Biden.

Read: Full transcript of Donald Trump’s call to Brad Raffensperger

That call has become a crucial part of Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ investigation into whether Trump or any of his associates interfered with the election’s outcome, an election that saw Biden become the first Democrat to win Georgia in a presidential election since Bill Clinton in 1992.

Trump has repeatedly slammed the investigation as a “strictly political witch hunt.” The former president’s mounting legal troubles have not prevented him from not only launching a 2024 reelection bid, but a consistent lead in polls among GOP voters.

The district attorney

The first woman to serve as Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis took office on January 1, 2021, after ousting longtime incumbent – and former boss – Paul Howard.

Willis, a career trial lawyer with 19 years of prosecutorial experience, opened a criminal investigation “into attempts to influence the administration of the 2020 Georgia General Election.” A special grand jury with subpoena power was seated in May at her request. In court filings, she is alleging “a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere.”

Willis’ office is also prosecuting a massive racketeering case involving rapper Young Thug. The jury selection for that trial has already lasted longer than any other in Georgia history.

Willis graduated from Howard University in 1992 and came to Atlanta to attend Emory University School of Law, graduating in 1996. She lives in the city of South Fulton, one of Georgia’s newest cities and which has been mired in controversy almost since its municipalization.

The governor

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was a target of Trump’s ire as his efforts repeatedly failed to overturn Georgia’s election outcome.

Kemp was in the middle of a nationally watched reelection battle against Democrat Stacey Abrams last fall when he was called to testify before Willis’ special grand jury on the Trump case. However, a Fulton County Superior Court judge ruled Kemp could wait until after the election to appear.

New poll shows how Brian Kemp stacks up against other Republicans in 2024

After handily winning reelection last fall, Kemp has been urging fellow Republicans to resist urges to “look in the rearview mirror” as the 2024 presidential election nears, a veiled reference to Trump.

Georgia’s most politically powerful GOP governor in recent memory also boycotted this year’s Georgia Republican convention, which Trump headlined.

The lieutenant governor and other alleged ‘fake electors’

Burt Jones, a former state senator and now Georgia’s first-term lieutenant governor, was identified last year as one of 16 Republicans who allegedly served as fake electors in the 2020 election.

Jones won the open election for lieutenant governor with Trump’s backing. The former incumbent, Geoff Duncan, became a vocal critic of Trump’s claims the election was stolen. He even penned a book entitled “GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America’s Conservative Party.”

Duncan’s decision not to run for reelection after only one term as lieutenant governor opened the door for Jones, who had represented middle Georgia’s District 25 since 2012.

Willis was disqualified from investigating Jones’ alleged role as a fake elector operating on Trump’s behalf because of her support of his opponent in the lieutenant governor’s race, Democrat Charlie Bailey.

The secretary of state

Georgia’s 29th Secretary of State was first elected in 2018 and overwhelmingly re-elected in 2022. A former Johns Creek, Georgia, city councilman, Brad Raffensperger was elected to the state House in 2014, where he served two terms.

Raffensperger was the recipient of the Jan. 2, 2021, phone call from then-President Donald Trump and his aides, who argued Georgia’s election was compromised, specifically in Fulton County

Raffensperger testified before the special grand jury investigating whether Trump and others illegally tried to meddle in the 2020 election. He also testified before a congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol that Trump’s claims of 2020 election fraud “were false.”

In Georgia, Raffensperger has overseen the delivery of the largest implementation of voting machines in U.S. history, according to his office, and oversaw the modernization of its election system by adding its first auditable paper ballot system. He is the first Secretary of State to pass legislation requiring photo ID for all forms of voting, and expanding polling places in Georgia counties.

The judges

Ural Glanville

Glanville is chief judge of the Fulton County Superior Court, which is where DA Fani Willis is conducting her investigation. Glanville, who has served on the court since 2005, is also the chief judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.

Besides overseeing the highly publicized Young Thug trial, Glanville’s office is also responsible for setting trial and court schedules for the Superior Court. In a May 18, 2023, letter to Glanville and other Fulton County officials, Willis informed the parties her office would be working remotely during the first two months of August. That fueled speculation Willis was in the final stages of issuing any charges or indictments regarding her investigation into Donald Trump.

Glanville served on the magistrate court of Fulton County from 1995 to 2004. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Georgia in 1984 and a juris doctor, also from UGA, in 1987. He earned a master’s in strategic studies at the U.S. Army War College in 2008. He also holds the rank of Brigadier General, Chief Judge in the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and has served as a commanding general in the NATO Rule of Law Support Mission/Rule of Law Field Force-Afghanistan.

Robert McBurney

The Harvard Law School graduate has served as a judge on the Superior Court of Fulton County since 2012. His has been the courtroom in which Fulton County DA Fani Willis and former President Donald Trump’s attorneys have argued over whether Willis’ special grand jury findings should be released to the public.

From 2018 until 2020, McBurney served as chief judge for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit; a former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; and an assistant district attorney for Fulton County.

The defense

Atlanta attorneys Drew Findling, Jennifer Little and Dwight Thomas are representing the former president.

Findling, who goes by the hashtag #BillionDollarLawyer, has represented other high-profile clients, such as Gucci Mane; Katt Williams; Karen King of “Love and Hip Hop” fame; and Victor Hill, the suspended Clayton County sheriff.

Thomas represented internationally known rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, after he was arrested and charged with illegal firearms possession.

Little’s career began her career as a major felony prosecutor in DeKalb County. She now is a private practitioner.

Rudy Guiliani

The man once known as America’s mayor testified last year before Willis’ special grand jury. Giuliani is also a target of a criminal investigation into possible illegal attempts by then-President Trump and others to interfere in the 2020 general election in Georgia.

Guiliani, a former U.S. associate attorney general and former U.S. Attorney, served as Trump’s lawyer as he sought to overturn the 2020 election’s results.

Giuliani, who was mayor of New York City when the 9/11 terrorist attacks struck his city, lost his law license in New York and Washington, D.C., as a result of his support of Trump’s claims about rigged voting machines, polling place fraud, and an international communist conspiracy.

Guiliani is also the target of several lawsuits, including a defamation lawsuit from two former Fulton County election workers – Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss – who were alleged by Guiliani of mishandling ballots in the election. Raffensperger has said numerous allegations made against the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections, and specifically, Freeman and Moss, were false and unsubstantiated.

Willis has notified Giuliani and the Georgia fake electors that they could face criminal charges in the investigation.

The most important people of all – the grand jurors

In July, two grand juries were seated in Fulton County, and one of them could hand up indictments to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis against former President Donald Trump and allies in Georgia over alleged attempts to overturn the state’s results after the 2020 election.

The two grand juries will be comprised of 23 citizens each, whittled down from a pool of nearly a hundred prospective grand jurors.

Whichever group received the case will work heavily off the report of a special grand jury, which was partially published with heavy redactions in February.

That report showed there was no widespread fraud in Georgia’s 2020 election, as Trump has claimed, and also recommended charges against several individuals who weren’t named. The report also indicated some of the subjects involved in the investigation may have lied under oath.

Unlike a criminal trial – where consent among jurors has to be reached for a conviction – the burden on grand juries for recommending an indictment is far lower. Out of the 23 members seated, only 12 have to agree to recommend charges.

Atlanta News First and Atlanta News First+ provide you with the latest news, headlines and insights as Georgia continues its role at the forefront of the nation’s political scene. Download our Atlanta News First app for the latest political news and information.

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Georgia

Georgia Ann Udby

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Georgia Ann (Langowski) Udby, age 65 of Lankin, ND passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at the First Care Health Center of Park River, ND.

Georgia was born on May 25, 1959, in Grafton, ND to Joseph and Emeline Langowski. Coming in as child 13 out of 14, she was the youngest and tallest girl in the family. This sweet, cheerful, and generous lady who loved to dance grew up in Grafton, ND.

During high school, Georgia participated in various athletics including volleyball where she received the “Most Desire” award. She graduated from Grafton High School as a Spoiler in 1977. She went on to further her education as NDSSS, Wahpeton, ND and then Thief River Falls College, where she achieved her RN Degree. She was so proud to become a nurse; it was a lifelong career accomplishment.

Her desire to care for others as an RN carried over to her personal life as well. Georgia was a super generous person; she took great joy in giving gifts and sending thoughtful cards to family and friends so everyone would be cherished. Georgia always stopped to talk and visit with anyone she recognized and enjoyed participating in Grafton class reunions. She loved to laugh, have fun and had a great sense of humor. Georgia looked forward to traveling to various farm conferences and conventions, such as the Norsk Host Fest and State Fair in Minot, ND, and the Pride of ND shows. She especially loved going to the North Dakota Farmers Convention where she could visit non-stop for four days with our Bismarck friends. She loved to knit and challenged herself to try some complex patterns.

Georgia met the man of her dreams during the summer of 2004. Scott literally swept her off her feet, they fell in love and married in June of 2005 and settled on the farm in Lankin, ND.

Everyone who knew Georgia knew how much she loved her family. She especially loved to visit with everyone about her only child, Erick, and all his accomplishments. Georgia deeply enjoyed spending time with her siblings, nieces and nephews at family gatherings throughout the years.

She was preceded in death by her son Erick Rhen, Thief River Falls, MN; her beloved dog Lucy; her parents Joseph and Emeline Langowski, Grafton, ND; siblings: John Langowski, Grafton, ND, Inny Praska, Seattle, WA, and Mark Langowski, Santa Rosa, CA; and Scott’s parents Glenn and Carol Udby, Lankin, ND.

She is survived by her husband Scott; siblings: Vicky (Jim) Bryn, Reno, NV, Joe (Janet) Langowski, Pacific, WA, Odo (Chris) Langowski, Peoria, AZ, Gontron “Buster” (Connie) Langowski, Hazen, ND, Ora (Henry) Meyer and Jeanne Quinn, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Lester Langowski and Mary (Wally) Sturdivant, Grafton, ND, Sylvia (Maurel) Mattson, West Fargo, ND, Veronica (Arlyn) Askim, Park River, ND; in-laws: Brian (Cynthia) Udby, Lankin, ND, Connie and Keith Glatt, Pahrump, NV, Ray Praska, Seattle, WA and Cathy Langowski, Santa Rosa, CA; along with several niece, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews whom she loved.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website. Interment will be at the Hoff Lutheran Cemetery of Rural Adams in the spring.

An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com

The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.

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Georgia’s all-time JUCO transfers

Published

13 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Georgia’s all-time JUCO transfers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA, claiming a player’s time in junior college should not count towards his overall years of eligibility, was granted an injunction last week. This will allow Pavia, a former JUCO transfer to the Commodores, to pursue another year of eligibility.

The ruling prompted UGASports to attempt to discover Georgia football’s all-time JUCO transfers with the thought of: What if, like Pravia’s, the NCAA playing career of each of Georgia’s nearly 100 (from what we discovered) all-time JUCO transfers could be extended another season or two based on their time attending junior college? In other words, imagine if former JUCO transfers-turned-Georgia stars like Stetson Bennett or Devonte Wyatt had been granted an additional season(s) of eligibility with the Bulldogs because of their time previously spent in junior college.

After scanning over eight decades of newspaper articles, player rosters, and signee listings, we have assembled Georgia football’s all-time JUCO-transfer team, along with a “notable reserve” at most positions. Only those players whose time in junior college counted towards their overall years of eligibility were considered. Players who attended a preparatory school, like Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, which isn’t recognized as counting towards playing eligibility, were not considered. Also not considered were the few Georgia players who briefly attended classes at a junior college but never played football there (like star running backs Tim Worley and Keith Henderson at Northeast Oklahoma A&M in 1987), and therefore did not lose any playing eligibility. Selections were made based on their Georgia playing careers. Listed below each player is his JUCO followed by the seasons he later lettered at Georgia.

All-JUCO-transfer – OFFENSE

Georgia’s All-JUCO offense is headed by Stetson Bennett who, among many other accolades, has to be one of the greatest JUCO transfers in college football history. Also under center is Ken Schulte, who starred at the same JUCO as Bennett in the mid-1950s before coming to Georgia. Schulte, however, could never quite take the Bulldogs’ starting job and finished with only 42 career yards of total offense in 15 plays. Although he did not letter, quarterback Mark McKay of Visalia (Calif.) Junior College was a member of Georgia’s 1980 national championship team. Eventually transferring out of UGA, McKay returned to California where he was a standout at San Diego State in 1982 and 1983.

At running back, transfer Tony Mangram was promptly Georgia’s starting tailback to begin the 1984 season and led the team in rushing through a few games. He was later moved to fullback and started a game at cornerback as a senior in 1985. After rushing for 3,570 yards and 35 touchdowns in two seasons at Merced (Calif.) Junior College, Odell Collins of nearby Jefferson, Georgia, was an instant fan favorite in Athens. Although he totaled just 32 touches as a Bulldog, his final one—a 10-yard touchdown run against Georgia Tech in 1996 on Senior Day—is one to remember with respect to the late Collins.

At wide receiver, Hason Graham totaled 1,834 receiving yards in three seasons. Javon Wims led Georgia’s 2017 national title game team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. After junior college, Nate Lewis was one of the nation’s top punt returners at Georgia in 1987 before transferring to Oregon Tech and later playing in the NFL for six seasons. Bill Herron, a right end for Georgia in the late 1950s, is slotted at tight end. Although totaling just 15 career catches, Herron’s game-winning touchdown reception from Fran Tarkenton against Auburn in 1959 is still regarded as one of the program’s all-time greatest plays.

Each of the first-team offensive linemen was considered a starter for at least one season at Georgia. After a year at Wake Forest and a year at Ferrum (Va.) Junior College, Joe Happe came to Georgia as one of the program’s first JUCO signees in some time. An offensive guard at Ferrum, Happe was a two-year starting center for the Bulldogs and an All-SEC honoree as a senior in 1981. Although he never qualified academically, offensive tackle Alex Vega deserves mention because of his sheer size. At 373 pounds, Vega remains—30 years after his signing—the heaviest signee in Georgia football history.

The kicker, Brandon Bogotay, served as Georgia’s backup placekicker for three seasons from 2009-2011, scoring 10 points and kicking off a combined 29 times.

All-JUCO-transfer – DEFENSE

When it comes to JUCO transfers, you could say that Georgia is “Defensive Lineman U.” Headed by first-round pick Devonte Wyatt, 12-year tackle Jason Ferguson, and current long-time veteran John Jenkins, nearly every defensive lineman listed played multiple seasons in the NFL. Other JUCO-transfer defensive linemen also worthy of mention include Toby Johnson, Chris Mayes, and Jermaine Johnson.

At linebacker, it’s head shaking to think of either Odell Thurman, Dwayne Simmons, or Kendrell Bell getting a season or two added to what were already spectacular careers. Each could be defensively dominant and take over a game. Rich Robich was an interesting case of a recruit who signed and played for Ole Miss as a true freshman (and made tackles vs. Georgia) in 1994, transferred to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College in 1995, transferred to Georgia in 1996 when he was redshirted, before playing a significant reserve role for the Bulldogs in 1997 and 1998 (and made tackles vs. Ole Miss).

Georgia’s effort in the early 1980s to recruit the West Coast for quick JUCO defensive backs and wide receivers ultimately landed secondary standouts Ronnie Harris and Jeff Sanchez. A first-team All-American as a senior in 1984, Sanchez earned first-team All-SEC honors for each of his two seasons at Georgia. Ben Smith was a terrorizing “hit man” as a cornerback before being moved to safety as a senior when he intercepted 10 passes. Worthy of mention because of his nickname alone, “The Hit Man,” Jakar Hamilton was a part-time starter for Georgia in 2010 before transferring to South Carolina State and later appearing in the NFL.

What do you think of our listing of Georgia’s all-time JUCO transfers? Who did we miss?

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New Year's Eve celebrations & dining in North Georgia | 2024-2025

Published

21 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

New Year's Eve celebrations & dining in North Georgia | 2024-2025

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NORTH GEORGIA – Ring in the New Year in style with an array of exciting celebrations across North Georgia! There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a glamorous night out or a unique way to welcome 2025, these top picks will help you make the most of New Year’s Eve.

FAYETTE COUNTY

Trilith Guest House – Prologue Dining & Drinks

When: 5-10 p.m., Dec. 31
Where: 350 Trilith Parkway, Fayetteville
What: Savor a four-course dinner featuring dishes like seared scallops, cowboy ribeye, and decadent desserts. Afterward, toast to 2025 at Oliver’s Twist Bar & View on the rooftop.
How Much: $95 per adult, $55 per child 12 and under
Reservations

FORSYTH COUNTY

NYE Forsythia Ball Drop

When: Dec. 31, 8 p.m.–midnight
Where: Forsyth Courthouse Square
What: Family-friendly celebration with food trucks, music, games, and a Forsythia ball drop.
How Much: Free
More Info