Former President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, surrendered this week to Georgia authorities at the Fulton County jail – Trump on Thursday and Giuliani on Wednesday.
Giuliani, a former mayor of New York City, is facing racketeering charges related to alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election.
Trump faces similar charges and 13 other counts in the Georgia election interference case.
Giuliani posed for a mug shot at the jail and secured a $150,000 bond through an agreement between his lawyers and prosecutors.
After Trump’s surrender, he immediately posted his mugshot on Twitter and gave a media interview, declaring his innocence. His bond was set at $200,000.
Trump has become the first former president to have a mug shot.
The mugshots of all the defendants were released by the Fulton County jail.
Giuliani’s vocal opposition to the charges remained evident as he left the jail, condemning Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. He asserted his belief that the case would be dismissed as an assault on the Constitution.
Giuliani is expected to appear virtually in court in the coming weeks. He staunchly maintains his innocence, attributing his indictment to his role as a lawyer and his zealous advocacy for Trump.
The indictment accuses Giuliani of being a central figure in a criminal conspiracy that pressured Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania election officials to address baseless claims of election fraud.
Charges also involve propagating lies about rigged voting machines and making false statements in sworn legal documents. Giuliani’s false accusations against Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman, leading to threats and harassment, are highlighted.
Defended by New York-based attorney John Esposito, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney, Giuliani faces a primary charge of racketeering, reminiscent of a law he utilized while he was the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Expressing confidence in his eventual exoneration, Giuliani labeled the charges a hoax and fabrication.
Giuliani’s potential involvement as a co-conspirator in special counsel Jack Smith’s federal case against Trump has drawn attention. Giuliani has not been formally charged in Smith’s case and maintains his innocence.