Scott Hall, a defendant in the Georgia racketeering case against former President Donald J. Trump and his allies, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges. As part of a deal with prosecutors, Hall will receive five years of probation. His guilty plea is a significant victory for Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, who secured his agreement to testify against other defendants. Hall had been charged with racketeering and other felonies for his involvement in a data breach at a Georgia elections office, as Trump allies sought evidence of ballot fraud after the 2020 presidential election.
Appearing in court, Hall pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of intentional interference with election duties. Under the terms of the deal, he will pay a $5,000 fine, surrender his firearms carry license, perform 200 hours of community service, and write an apology letter to the people of Georgia. Additionally, he is prohibited from participating in any activities related to the administration of elections and has agreed to testify truthfully in all future proceedings. Hall confirmed his understanding of the terms to Judge Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court.
While Hall is the first defendant to plead guilty in the case, there are still 18 others who have yet to take pleas. Two of the defendants, Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, are set to be tried together next month after requesting speedy trials. The outcome of Hall’s guilty plea and his cooperation in testifying against other defendants may have significant implications for the ongoing racketeering case against Trump and his associates.