New Prosecutor Takes Charge of Georgia Election Interference Case

The Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants now falls under the direction of a new prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis. Following the removal of Fani Willis, the former Fulton County District Attorney, due to concerns over a potential conflict of interest, Skandalakis has stepped in to oversee the complex indictment. This case, returned by a grand jury in August 2023, utilizes the state’s anti-racketeering law to outline an alleged conspiracy aimed at overturning Trump’s narrow defeat to Joe Biden in Georgia.

Skandalakis, who has led the nonpartisan Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council since January 2018, took on this responsibility after no other prosecutors accepted the case. He indicated that the judge presiding over the matter had set a deadline for appointing a new prosecutor, warning that failure to do so by December 1, 2023, could result in the dismissal of the case.

“While I could have allowed the case to be dismissed by inaction, I did not believe that to be the right course of action,” Skandalakis stated, acknowledging the extensive materials he received from Willis’ office, which included over 101 boxes of documents and an eight-terabyte hard drive containing the full investigative file.

Skandalakis’ Background and Approach

Prior to his current role, Skandalakis served as the elected Republican district attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit, located southwest of Atlanta. His experience includes handling high-profile cases, such as the investigation into the June 2020 police shooting of Rayshard Brooks. In that instance, he concluded that the officers involved acted reasonably, opting not to pursue charges.

Danny Porter, a former district attorney in Gwinnett County and a long-time acquaintance of Skandalakis, emphasized that he believes Skandalakis will conduct a fair review. “I feel certain that he’s going to do what he said he’s going to do and give it a fair and transparent review,” Porter remarked.

As he begins his examination of the case, Skandalakis has the challenging task of determining the most effective way to proceed. His responsibilities include organizing the case, assessing the necessary resources, and deciding whether to follow the path laid out by Willis or to alter the charges.

The Indictment and Next Steps

The indictment against Trump and his co-defendants includes various charges, notably a controversial phone call on January 2, 2021, during which Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to secure a win. Additional allegations involve attempts to present a slate of false Republican electors, harassment of an election worker, and unauthorized access to election equipment in a rural Georgia county.

While four of the 19 individuals charged have pleaded guilty in exchange for cooperation, Trump and the remaining defendants have declared not guilty pleas. The implications of this case are significant, as any potential actions against Trump while he is in office could be complicated by his position.

The upcoming status hearing on December 1 will be pivotal, as the judge has requested an update from the prosecution on their intentions, including whether a new indictment will be pursued. Porter noted that while Skandalakis has a capable team, they are already managing other cases, which could complicate resources.

Given the size and complexity of the case, Porter described it as a “nearly impossible task for one person.” Skandalakis may need to explore alternative funding sources to hire additional contract attorneys to assist in managing the case effectively.

As this high-profile prosecution unfolds, Skandalakis faces the dual challenge of navigating legal intricacies while also addressing the public’s interest and the political ramifications that accompany such a significant case. As he embarks on this responsibility, the outcomes remain uncertain, but the legal landscape in Georgia is poised for further developments in the coming weeks.