Colorado attorney and conservative media figure Jenna Ellis has pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to her involvement in efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia. Ellis, who was a vocal part of Trump’s reelection campaign, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. She expressed deep remorse for her actions during the court hearing.
Ellis is the fourth defendant in the case to enter into a plea deal with prosecutors. She was charged alongside Trump and 17 others with violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering law. Two other defendants, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, also recently pleaded guilty.
As part of her guilty plea, Ellis was sentenced to five years of probation, ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution, perform 100 hours of community service, write an apology letter to the people of Georgia, and testify truthfully in related trials. The favorable punishment of probation instead of jail time could set a precedent for other defendants in the case.
The indictment against Ellis alleges that she helped author plans to disrupt and delay the congressional certification of the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021. She is also accused of urging state legislators to unlawfully appoint pro-Trump electors in Pennsylvania and Georgia. Ellis attended a meeting with Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and Georgia-based attorney Ray Smith, where false statements were made to state lawmakers.
Before her guilty plea, Ellis had been defiant, but she has since been critical of Trump. She was censured in Colorado in March for making false statements about the 2020 election.
The guilty pleas from Ellis and the other defendants may lead to similar outcomes for additional individuals involved in the case. However, their credibility as witnesses against Trump remains uncertain due to their direct participation in unfounded schemes.
