FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A moment that will go down in history happened nearly a year ago right here in Fulton County. It was a night that will never be forgotten and will forever be etched in people's minds for years to come.
On Aug. 14, 2023, former President Donald Trump and 18 others were indicted by a grand jury, accused of criminally interfering in the 2020 election in Georgia. Since then, the case has been filled with twists and turns -- even bringing to light a romantic relationship between the district attorney and a special prosecutor on the case.
But within the year, the case's momentum has also stalled due to ongoing legal battles. Below is an overview of how we got here and key moments that have happened in the RICO case.
Timeline: Key moments to know
Feb. 10, 2021 | Criminal probe begins into alleged election interference
DA Willis sent a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp and others on Feb. 10, 2021, to notify him that her office had started an investigation into the "attempts to influence the administration of the 2020 Georgia General Election."
One of the key components that had been widely discussed in the media was a phone call the former president made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In the now-infamous call, Trump insisted he won Georgia and pressured Raffensperger to find evidence that would overturn the state's result in favor of President Joe Biden.
Nov. 1, 2021 | Willis hires Nathan Wade as special prosecutor in case
Nathan Wade, an outside attorney, was contracted with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office to help lead the 2020 election interference case. He was appointed to the case on Nov. 1, 2021.
Aug. 14, 2023 | Former President Donald Trump and 18 others indicted
A Fulton County grand jury returned an indictment on Aug. 14, 2023, against former President Donald Trump, alleging that efforts to overturn the presidential election result in Georgia in 2020 amounted to an illegal conspiracy in violation of state laws. That historic decision implicated not just Trump but also 18 others.
More recently, though, the judge dismissed six counts of the indictment, eliminating three of the challenges specifically against Trump. The former president still faces several charges.
Aug. 25, 2023 | Deadline for all defendants to surrender
Officials said co-defendants had until noon, Aug. 25, to show up to Fulton County. The former president made his appearance in Georgia the night prior on August 24.. Some of the others appeared at the Fulton County jail days before the deadline.
Trump made history as he turned himself in. Only one of the defendants, Harrison Floyd, stayed for a period inside the jail. The rest had bond agreements.
Sept. 29, 2023 | Co-defendant Scott Hall takes plea deal
Scott Hall, an Atlanta-area bail bondsman, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties after negotiating a plea with prosecutors.
Oct. 19, 2023 | Co-defendant Sidney Powell takes plea deal
Sidney Powell, an attorney who assisted former President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties.
Oct. 20, 2023 | Co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro takes plea deal
Attorney Kenneth Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to commit filing false documents.
Oct. 24, 2023 | Co-defendant Jenna Ellis takes a plea deal
Jenna Ellis, an attorney with the 2020 Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings under a plea agreement.
Jan. 8, 2024 | Defense attorney files motion to disqualify Willis from case
Ashleigh Merchant, a defense attorney representing Michael Roman in the 2020 election case, filed a motion accusing Willis and Wade of engaging in “an improper, clandestine personal relationship.” Roman is a former Trump campaign staffer and White House aide.
Feb. 2, 2024 | Willis and Wade admit to relationship
In a court filing on Feb. 2, 2024, Willis and Wade confirmed they started a "personal relationship" after he was appointed to manage her Trump election interference case. However, in the 176-page document, Willis rejected claims that she misused taxpayer funds to financially benefit her and Wade.
Willis and Wade were friends since 2019, but the two were not involved in a personal relationship when Wade was appointed special prosecutor on Nov. 1, 2021, according to the D.A.'s office and a sworn affidavit from Wade included in the response.
Feb. 15, 2024 | Willis and Wade testify during disqualification hearing
Wade and Willis took the witness stand to provide testimony in the disqualification hearing on Feb. 15, 2024. They both testified about the timeline of their relationship and the trips they took together.
Willis fired back at claims of misconduct.
“Do you think I’m on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I’m not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial,” Willis told defense attorney Merchant.
March 15, 2024 | Judge issues ruling, Wade resigns
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that the DA and her office must leave the case or remove Wade from it before the case can proceed. In the ruling, the judge said, "there has not been a showing that the Defendants' due process rights have been violated or that the issues involved prejudiced the Defendants in any way." However, he said, the allegations created an “appearance of impropriety” that "infected" the prosecution team. The judge added the relationship was a “tremendous” lapse in judgment and chided the “unprofessional manner of the District Attorney’s testimony."
Hours after the judge issued his decision, Wade resigned, saying in a letter to Willis he was "proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case."
March 20, 2024 | Judge signs off on first step of appeal of Fani Willis disqualification ruling
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee granted what's known as a "certificate of immediate review" -- effectively a permission slip for defendants to take their appeal immediately to Georgia's Court of Appeals.
May 8, 2024 | Georgia state appellate court agrees to hear Trump appeal of ruling that allowed DA Fani Willis to stay on case
The Georgia Court of Appeals, the state's second-highest court, agreed to hear former President Donald Trump's appeal on the ruling that allowed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the 2020 election RICO case.
The appeal effort centers on a March ruling by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, which resulted in former special prosecutor Nathan Wade's resignation from the election interference case after information came to light that he and Willis shared, for a time, a romantic relationship.
July 16, 2024 | Georgia appeals court order makes Trump Fulton County verdict before election day virtually impossible
A Georgia Court of Appeals order made a verdict in the Fulton County election interference case against former president Donald Trump before election day all but impossible. The oral argument was scheduled for Dec. 5. A trial cannot move forward until the Court of Appeals reaches a decision.