Three Trump 2020 campaign figures plead not guilty to Wisconsin fake elector charges

Three men who worked on President Trump's 2020 campaign pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 11 felony forgery charges each in Dane County Circuit Court. Jim Troupis, a former judge who served as Trump's Wisconsin campaign attorney, appeared in person. Mike Roman, who directed election day operations for the campaign, and Ken Chesebro, a former legal advisor, appeared via Zoom.

Background on the charges Prosecutors allege the three defendants defrauded 10 Wisconsin Republican electors by misrepresenting how signed certificates would be used. A majority of the electors told investigators they did not believe their signatures would be submitted to Congress without a court ruling, according to the complaint.

The defendants argue they committed no crime and were preserving legal options in case courts later ruled Trump had won the state. They also contend one count should be dismissed because of a federal pardon issued by President Trump.

Roman filed motions to move the trial from Dane County to neighboring Jefferson County, citing publicity concerns. The judge said he would set a schedule to hear arguments on those motions and the pardon claim. The case is one of several state-level proceedings involving alternate electors from 2020. None of the 10 Wisconsin electors have been charged.