As part of the scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Rudy Giuliani reportedly directed an effort to submit fake Electoral College certifications in several states. The certifications – signed by Republican officials – claim that Trump won in states where he actually lost. They were submitted to the National Archives.
On Monday, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told CNN that the Department of Justice has received criminal referrals from several states where the bogus certifications originated. “Our prosecutors are looking at those and I can’t say anything more on ongoing investigations,” Monaco said.
The Washington Post provides context:
The Trump electors’ efforts were hardly a secret. The groups in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin — all states that had officially approved Biden electors — acted publicly in mid-December 2020. They said they were adopting a tactic used by Democrats in Hawaii decades ago in hopes that some later court decision might make their meaningless votes actually count. Republicans in Pennsylvania and New Mexico also sent certificates, but those documents explicitly stated that they were to be considered only if the election results were upended.
The Post adds:
The electors were aided in their effort by Trump campaign officials and Trump attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani, who said publicly that the rival slates were necessary and appropriate. Former campaign officials and party leaders, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, have previously said that Giuliani oversaw the effort behind the scenes.
The bogus certifications have received new attention in recent weeks as the House committee investigating the January 6th attack ramps up its sprawling investigation. The certifications have also drawn condemnation from several attorneys general who have pressured the DOJ to consider pressing criminal charges.
After learning of Monaco’s comments, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, told CNN that he is “pleased the DOJ is looking into this matter, as these disturbing allegations require that federal authorities partner with state law enforcement agencies across the country to ensure integrity in the election process.”
Similarly, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul told the outlet that it is “critical that the federal government fully investigates and prosecutes any unlawful actions in furtherance of any seditious conspiracy.”
It is unusual for the DOJ to acknowledge an ongoing investigation and Monaco was reticent to share details, simply saying “[the DOJ is] going to follow the facts and the law, wherever they lead, to address conduct of any kind and at any level that is part of an assault on our democracy.”
