With millions of dollars in legal expenses looming, who will foot the bill for Trump's Georgia co-defendants?
CBSN
Former President Donald Trump is wielding his political clout to help his former personal attorney — and criminal co-defendant — Rudy Giuliani — by hosting a fundraiser for him Thursday. The event is expected to offer a lavish display of loyalty, as Trump rounds up donors willing to give $100,000 each to a legal defense fund for Giuliani, who has racked up millions in legal bills from defamation lawsuits stemming from the 2020 presidential election.
But for 17 other Trump co–defendants in the Georgia criminal conspiracy case against the former president, it remains to be seen whether Trump will step in with any financial help. For now, most have been left to figure out how to pay for their own criminal defense regarding their alleged scheme to help keep him in office, according to a number of people familiar with the case. All of the defendants face the same charge of racketeering under Georgia law, in addition to other charges involving alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
One expert in the state's RICO laws suggested those co-defendants face some challenges in getting any financial help from Trump and his campaign.