Dem AG charges Kenneth Chesebro, James Troupis and Michael Roman with felonies in Wisconsin alternate electors case

Three former Trump campaign officials were charged with counts of forgery in Wisconsin for securing an alternate slate of electors in favor of Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The charges were filed on Tuesday by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.  

Kenneth Chesebro, James Troupis and Michael Roman were each charged with one count of felony forgery by Kaul. They are due to be in Dane County Circuit Court come Sept. 19, per reporting from Spectrum Local News. They are each now facing up to six years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. 

Prosecutors in Wisconsin alleged that Chesebro led the alternate elector effort by giving others "step-by-step instructions for completing and mailing the fake certificates to multiple officials in the US Government." According to NBC News, Troupis and Chesebro met with Trump on December 16, 2020, sending messages in the days and weeks that followed about the alternate electors plan. Roman reportedly helped deliver the documents to Congress.

Kaul, a Democrat, has not decided whether or not he will pursue more charges, and felony forgery in Wisconsin is a class H felony, the least significant of felonies in the state. Kaul said that the investigation is ongoing into others of the 10 who signed as alternate electors. Kaul has been slammed by many in the state, that have suggested that the process has been sped up to be political.  

“The decisions we make about timing are based on a variety of factors,” Kaul said to justify the case. “That includes where we are in terms of developing the facts, arguing the law—but our judgment was now is an appropriate time to file these charges, but again the investigation is ongoing.” 

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson called the charges "outrageous," adding, "Now Democrats are weaponizing Wisconsin’s judiciary. Apparently conservative lawyers advising clients is illegal under Democrat tyranny. Democrats are turning America into a banana republic." 

Democrat Governor Tony Evers released a one-word statement, saying, "Good," online in reaction to the charges.  

Roman has also been charged in the case brought in Georgia by Fulton County DA Fani Willis, who may be removed from the case pending an appeal from Trump on Georgia Judge Scott McAfee's decision to only remove either Willis or Wade from the case earlier this year.  

Troupis served as the Trump campaign's lead counsel in Wisconsin and as Trump was challenging the outcome in the state in late 2020 and early 2021. Chesbro, an attorney, was also charged in the Georgia election case. Prosecutors in Wisconsin alleged that Chesebro led the alternate elector effort by giving others "step-by-step instructions for completing and mailing the fake certificates to multiple officials in the US Government."