An ex-mafia hitman has defended Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani against RICO charges in Georgia, stating they aren’t real criminals.
What Happened: Former Gambino associate, John Alite, has criticized the RICO charges against Trump and his ally Giuliani, Insider reported.
Alite, who pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy charges in 2008, described the indictment as “disgusting.” He defended Trump and Giuliani, arguing that they made “pro-America choices,” unlike his own past criminal actions. He expressed his disapproval of them being treated like criminals, stating, “They’re being treated no different than I was.”
The Georgia grand jury indicted Trump, Giuliani, and 17 co-defendants on Monday for allegedly operating a “criminal organization” to overturn the 2020 election results. If convicted, they could face between five and 20 years in prison.
See Also: Trump Refuses To Pledge Compliance With Judge’s Order In Jan. 6 Case: ‘The Whole Thing Is A Fake’
Alite, who served 13 years in prison before turning his life around, called the situation “insanity.” He stated, “They have no business being treated like this,” referring to Trump and Giuliani.
“How can you charge these guys like you charged somebody like myself when I was a criminal?” questioned Alite. “I was a menace to this country. I was a criminal. There is no excuses for the way I lived. I made bad choices.”
Why It Matters: The indictment marks the fourth such legal action against Donald Trump this year in relation to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election victory of Joe Biden in Georgia. Distinct charges include violating the state’s racketeering law and encouraging a public official to violate their oath.
This legal action could potentially impact Trump’s prospective 2024 election run. The indictment was the result of an investigation initiated by District Attorney Fani Willis into alleged illegal attempts by Trump to influence the election results, primarily focusing on Trump’s conversation with Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State.
The former president has labeled the District Attorney of bias and interference with the 2024 presidential race, referring to the indictment as a continuation of a “witch hunt.” Trump and his allies have been directed to surrender in Georgia by Aug. 25, with the Fulton County District Attorney planning to try all defendants within the next six months.
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