Current:Home > StocksRudy Giuliani interviewed by special counsel in Trump election interference probe -Infinite Edge Capital
Rudy Giuliani interviewed by special counsel in Trump election interference probe
View
Date:2025-04-26 23:32:22
The Justice Department's special counsel investigators interviewed Rudy Giuliani recently as part of their probe into alleged efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election, a spokesperson for Giuliani confirmed Tuesday.
"The appearance was entirely voluntary and conducted in a professional manner," said the spokesperson, Ted Goodman, who is a political advisor to Giuliani.
A source familiar with the matter said Giuliani was questioned about fundraising and meetings that took place between Nov. 3, 2020, and Jan. 6, 2021, when President-elect Biden's electoral college victory was certified despite a deadly riot at the Capitol.
CNN first reported that investigators for special counsel Jack Smith interviewed Giuliani, who was former President Donald Trump's personal attorney for much of Trump's time in office — and was among a group of attorneys who falsely alleged Trump had won the 2020 election.
Investigators were particularly interested in meetings Giuliani attended at the White House, the source said.
Giuliani was asked about his interactions with other attorneys who vocally supported returning Trump to office despite his defeat, according to the source. They included John Eastman, who crafted a legal strategy to reject state electoral votes, Sydney Powell, who claimed widespread voter fraud prevented Trump from winning, and Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official which a congressional committee concluded had crafted a plan to instruct state legislatures to select new electors.
The special counsel did not indicate that Giuliani is a subject of the investigation, and his team does not believe he is, according to the source.
The special counsel's investigation into election interference appears to have gained steam in the weeks since Trump was indicted in relation to its separate probe into alleged mishandling of documents. On June 13, Trump entered a not guilty plea to 37 felony charges in that case.
On Wednesday, the special counsel will interview Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in Atlanta, according to a spokesperson for Raffensperger.
A Jan. 2, 2021, recorded phone call between Trump and Raffensperger, in which Trump said "I just want to find 11,780 votes" has been a focus of both federal and state investigations.
In the weeks after audio of the call became public in 2021, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced that her office intended to investigate. That inquiry has since grown into a sprawling probe involving dozens of Trump's allies, according to court filings.
Willis has said she will likely announce charging decisions related to the investigation in August.
Trump became the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges when he was indicted on March 30 by a New York state grand jury. In that case, he entered a not guilty plea to 34 felony counts related to alleged falsification of business records. Manhattan prosecutors said Trump tried to obscure reimbursements to Michael Cohen, who at the time was Trump's personal attorney, for a "hush money" payment made to an adult film star before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump's attorneys in that case are trying to have it moved to federal court, but at a hearing on Tuesday, a judge appeared skeptical of their argument that the payments were made as official acts tied to Trump's presidency.
- In:
- Rudy Giuliani
- Donald Trump
- United States Department of Justice
- 2016 Election
Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at KatesG@cbsnews.com or grahamkates@protonmail.com
veryGood! (3532)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Olympic flame arrives in Marseille, France, 79 days before the Paris 2024 Games
- Here’s why the verdict in New Hampshire’s landmark trial over youth center abuse is being disputed
- Future of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays to come into focus with key meetings on $1.3B stadium project
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Why Kim Kardashian Needed Custom Thong Underwear for Her 2024 Met Gala Look
- Cruise ship worker accused of stabbing 3 people with scissors on board vessel bound for Alaska
- FAA investigates Boeing for falsified records on some 787 Dreamliners
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Why Kim Kardashian Needed Custom Thong Underwear for Her 2024 Met Gala Look
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- WNBA to begin charter travel for all teams this season
- You’ll Love Jessica Biel’s Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse at Met Gala 2024 Look
- 'Dreams do come true': Man wins $837K lottery prize after sister dreams he'd find gold
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Bucks' Patrick Beverley: 'I was absolutely wrong' for throwing basketball at Pacers fans
- Tom Sandoval Addresses “Dramatic” Comments Made About Ariana Madix During VPR Finale
- Easily track your grocery list (and what's in your fridge) with these three apps
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
High-voltage power line through Mississippi River refuge approved by federal appeals court
Dale Earnhardt Jr. joining Amazon and TNT Sports as NASCAR commentator starting in 2025
U.S. airman shot and killed by Florida sheriff's deputy
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Jason Kelce Reveals the Eyebrow-Raising Gift He Got Wife Kylie for 6th Wedding Anniversary
Taylor Swift bill is signed into Minnesota law, boosting protections for online ticket buyers
'Baby Reindeer' shines light on complicated aspects of sexual abuse