Key players in state probe over Trump's efforts to overturn Georgia election results
A criminal probe into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia has been ongoing for over two and a half years.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis seated a special grand jury last year to make recommendations concerning criminal prosecutions. A new grand jury seated in July is soon expected to weigh possible election-related charges against Trump.
Willis recently signaled that an indictment could be imminent. As the DA appears to be nearing the end of her investigation, here's a look at the key players in the Georgia election probe beyond Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
Raffensperger certified the state's election results -- and then recertified them after Trump's team requested a recount -- confirming that President Joe Biden won the state. In a now-infamous phone call, Trump asked Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to win Georgia during an hourlong call on Jan. 2, 2021, which was obtained by ABC News. Raffensperger testified before the special grand jury last year.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis
Willis launched the criminal probe in February 2021, a month after Trump's call to Raffensperger, according to a letter to state officials obtained by ABC News.
"This investigation includes, but is not limited to, potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local governmental bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election's administration," Willis wrote in the letter.
Trump's legal team has unsuccessfully sought to remove her from the case and quash the special grand jury report.
Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney
McBurney has been assigned to the DA's case. Among his decisions, he ordered in February that portions of the special grand jury's report be released, while the majority will remain sealed.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
Along with Raffensperger, Kemp certified the results of the election in Georgia. Willis notified Kemp in her February 2021 letter that her office had launched an investigation into efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He testified before the special grand jury last year.
Mark Meadows
Meadows, the White House chief of staff at the time, was heard speaking on the Raffensperger call. He was ordered by a judge last year to speak before the special grand jury.
Rudy Giuliani
Trump's one-time personal attorney was informed last year that he is considered a "target" of the Fulton County district attorney's probe, according to sources familiar with the matter.
He testified before the special grand jury last year.
John Eastman
Former Trump election lawyer John Eastman also testified before the special grand jury last year, during which he pleaded the Fifth, his attorneys said at the time. They advised him to "assert attorney client privilege and the constitutional right to remain silent where appropriate," they said in a statement.
16 'fake electors'
Sixteen "fake electors" who allegedly participated in a scheme to overturn the state's election results were notified that they were considered targets in the criminal investigation, prosecutors revealed in court documents last year.
McBurney disqualified Willis from investigating one of the 16 -- Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones -- because she held a fundraiser for his political opponent last year.
In May, eight of the "fake electors" accepted immunity in the probe, according to their lawyer.
