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| Inquiry Scrutinizes Trump Allies’ False Claims About Election Worker | Inquiry Scrutinizes Trump Allies’ False Claims About Election Worker |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| ATLANTA — One is a 69-year-old Lutheran pastor from Illinois. Another is a celebrity stylist who once described herself as a publicist for Kanye West. A third is a former mixed martial-arts fighter and self-described “polo addict” who once led a group called “Black Voices for Trump.” | ATLANTA — One is a 69-year-old Lutheran pastor from Illinois. Another is a celebrity stylist who once described herself as a publicist for Kanye West. A third is a former mixed martial-arts fighter and self-described “polo addict” who once led a group called “Black Voices for Trump.” |
| All three individuals now find themselves entangled in the criminal investigation into election interference in Georgia after former President Donald J. Trump’s loss there, with prosecutors saying they participated in a bizarre plot to pressure an election worker in Fulton County to falsely admit that she committed fraud on Election Day in 2020. | |
| The three — Trevian Kutti, the publicist; Stephen C. Lee, the pastor; and Willie Lewis Floyd III, the polo fan — have all been ordered to appear before a special grand jury in Atlanta. A hearing for Mr. Lee was scheduled for Tuesday morning at a courthouse near his home in Kendall County, Ill., but the matter was continued to next week. | |
| None have been named as targets of the investigation or charged with a crime. Yet the decision to seek their testimony suggests that prosecutors in Fulton County are increasingly interested in the story of how the part-time, rank-and-file election worker, Ruby Freeman, 63, was confronted by allies of Mr. Trump at her home in the Atlanta suburbs in the weeks after he was defeated by President Biden. | None have been named as targets of the investigation or charged with a crime. Yet the decision to seek their testimony suggests that prosecutors in Fulton County are increasingly interested in the story of how the part-time, rank-and-file election worker, Ruby Freeman, 63, was confronted by allies of Mr. Trump at her home in the Atlanta suburbs in the weeks after he was defeated by President Biden. |
| Ms. Freeman and her daughter were part of a team processing votes for the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections on election night. Soon after, video images of Ms. Freeman and her daughter handling ballots were posted online and shared widely among some Trump supporters, who claimed falsely that the video showed the two women entering bogus votes to skew the election in Mr. Biden’s favor. | Ms. Freeman and her daughter were part of a team processing votes for the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections on election night. Soon after, video images of Ms. Freeman and her daughter handling ballots were posted online and shared widely among some Trump supporters, who claimed falsely that the video showed the two women entering bogus votes to skew the election in Mr. Biden’s favor. |
| Mr. Trump helped spread the fiction. During his now-famous telephone call to the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, on Jan. 2, 2021, when Mr. Trump implored Mr. Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, to “find” the votes Mr. Trump needed to win the state, Mr. Trump referred several times to Ms. Freeman, calling her a “vote scammer” and “hustler.” | Mr. Trump helped spread the fiction. During his now-famous telephone call to the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, on Jan. 2, 2021, when Mr. Trump implored Mr. Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, to “find” the votes Mr. Trump needed to win the state, Mr. Trump referred several times to Ms. Freeman, calling her a “vote scammer” and “hustler.” |
| Ms. Kutti, 52, is a Trump supporter based in Chicago who was once registered as an Illinois lobbyist supporting the cannabis industry; she had also previously worked as a publicist for R. Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer. Prosecutors sought her testimony in a May court filing; it is unclear if she has appeared before the special grand jury, which meets behind closed doors. | Ms. Kutti, 52, is a Trump supporter based in Chicago who was once registered as an Illinois lobbyist supporting the cannabis industry; she had also previously worked as a publicist for R. Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer. Prosecutors sought her testimony in a May court filing; it is unclear if she has appeared before the special grand jury, which meets behind closed doors. |
| But Ms. Kutti unquestionably met with Ms. Freeman on Jan. 4, 2021, after showing up in her neighborhood, cryptically claiming to work for “some of the biggest names in the industry.” | But Ms. Kutti unquestionably met with Ms. Freeman on Jan. 4, 2021, after showing up in her neighborhood, cryptically claiming to work for “some of the biggest names in the industry.” |
| After persuading Ms. Freeman to meet her at a police station in Cobb County, outside Atlanta — the police had been summoned when Ms. Kutti came to her home, and an officer recommended that they talk at the station — Ms. Kutti warned her that an event would soon occur that would “disrupt your freedom,” according to police body-camera video of the meeting. Ms. Kutti also offered help, telling Ms. Freeman that she was going to call a man who had “authoritative powers to get you protection.” | After persuading Ms. Freeman to meet her at a police station in Cobb County, outside Atlanta — the police had been summoned when Ms. Kutti came to her home, and an officer recommended that they talk at the station — Ms. Kutti warned her that an event would soon occur that would “disrupt your freedom,” according to police body-camera video of the meeting. Ms. Kutti also offered help, telling Ms. Freeman that she was going to call a man who had “authoritative powers to get you protection.” |
| Ms. Freeman later told Reuters, which was first to report many details of the pressure campaign, that Ms. Kutti then made a call to a man whom she put on speakerphone. Ms. Freeman said Ms. Kutti and the man on the phone tried to pressure her into saying she had committed voter fraud. Ms. Kutti warned her that she would go to jail if she did not “tell everything,” Ms. Freeman told Reuters. | Ms. Freeman later told Reuters, which was first to report many details of the pressure campaign, that Ms. Kutti then made a call to a man whom she put on speakerphone. Ms. Freeman said Ms. Kutti and the man on the phone tried to pressure her into saying she had committed voter fraud. Ms. Kutti warned her that she would go to jail if she did not “tell everything,” Ms. Freeman told Reuters. |
| The man whom Ms. Kutti called that night was Mr. Floyd, 37, who prosecutors say also goes by the name Harrison William Prescott Floyd III. His testimony was sought in court documents filed in September. | The man whom Ms. Kutti called that night was Mr. Floyd, 37, who prosecutors say also goes by the name Harrison William Prescott Floyd III. His testimony was sought in court documents filed in September. |
| Then there is Mr. Lee, the pastor, who over the years has touted his experience ministering to police and first responders after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. It was Mr. Lee who had asked Mr. Floyd to set up Ms. Kutti’s meeting with Ms. Freeman, according to court documents. | Then there is Mr. Lee, the pastor, who over the years has touted his experience ministering to police and first responders after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. It was Mr. Lee who had asked Mr. Floyd to set up Ms. Kutti’s meeting with Ms. Freeman, according to court documents. |
| In police body-camera footage obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Lee can be seen wearing a clerical collar and sitting in a red sedan parked near Ms. Freeman’s suburban home on Dec. 15, 2020. A police officer was on the scene because Ms. Freeman called the police after Mr. Lee knocked on her door and then lingered nearby. | In police body-camera footage obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Lee can be seen wearing a clerical collar and sitting in a red sedan parked near Ms. Freeman’s suburban home on Dec. 15, 2020. A police officer was on the scene because Ms. Freeman called the police after Mr. Lee knocked on her door and then lingered nearby. |
| In the video, Mr. Lee chats amiably with the officer, explaining that he has come to offer “pro bono service” to Ms. Freeman. | In the video, Mr. Lee chats amiably with the officer, explaining that he has come to offer “pro bono service” to Ms. Freeman. |
| “I’m a pastor, and I’m also with some folks who are trying to help Ruby out, OK?” Mr. Lee is heard saying. “And also get some truth of what’s going on.” | “I’m a pastor, and I’m also with some folks who are trying to help Ruby out, OK?” Mr. Lee is heard saying. “And also get some truth of what’s going on.” |
| Prosecutors have said in court documents that Mr. Lee, Ms. Kutti and Mr. Floyd are “necessary and material” witnesses. None could be reached for comment for this article. Mr. Lee is supposed to testify before the special grand jury in Atlanta on Nov. 10; Mr. Floyd has been told to show up between then and Dec. 15.Ms. Kutti was scheduled to appear before the special grand jury in June. | Prosecutors have said in court documents that Mr. Lee, Ms. Kutti and Mr. Floyd are “necessary and material” witnesses. None could be reached for comment for this article. Mr. Lee is supposed to testify before the special grand jury in Atlanta on Nov. 10; Mr. Floyd has been told to show up between then and Dec. 15.Ms. Kutti was scheduled to appear before the special grand jury in June. |
| The Fulton County district attorney, Fani T. Willis, has indicated that her investigation into efforts to overturn Mr. Trump’s defeat in Georgia could result in a multidefendant racketeering or conspiracy case. Among other things, prosecutors are examining an election-systems data breach by Trump allies in rural Coffee County, Ga.; the convening of pro-Trump fake electors in Georgia despite Mr. Biden’s victory; and the Jan. 2 telephone call that Mr. Trump made to Mr. Raffensperger. | The Fulton County district attorney, Fani T. Willis, has indicated that her investigation into efforts to overturn Mr. Trump’s defeat in Georgia could result in a multidefendant racketeering or conspiracy case. Among other things, prosecutors are examining an election-systems data breach by Trump allies in rural Coffee County, Ga.; the convening of pro-Trump fake electors in Georgia despite Mr. Biden’s victory; and the Jan. 2 telephone call that Mr. Trump made to Mr. Raffensperger. |
| Prosecutors have said in court filings that they hope that testimony from the three witnesses who approached Ms. Freeman can serve to connect other dots in the case. | Prosecutors have said in court filings that they hope that testimony from the three witnesses who approached Ms. Freeman can serve to connect other dots in the case. |
| The trouble for Ms. Freeman began on Dec. 3, 2020, when a lawyer working with Mr. Trump’s campaign showed a Georgia State Senate committee video images of Fulton County workers processing ballots on election night “that purported to show election workers producing ‘suitcases’ of unlawful ballots from unknown sources,” according to court filings from Ms. Willis’s office. | The trouble for Ms. Freeman began on Dec. 3, 2020, when a lawyer working with Mr. Trump’s campaign showed a Georgia State Senate committee video images of Fulton County workers processing ballots on election night “that purported to show election workers producing ‘suitcases’ of unlawful ballots from unknown sources,” according to court filings from Ms. Willis’s office. |
| False claims about the video echoed on social media and on right-wing news sites like The Gateway Pundit, which ran an article identifying Ms. Freeman by name, along with photos of her and the caption, “Crook Gets Caught.” | False claims about the video echoed on social media and on right-wing news sites like The Gateway Pundit, which ran an article identifying Ms. Freeman by name, along with photos of her and the caption, “Crook Gets Caught.” |
| The claims were almost immediately debunked by the office of Mr. Raffensperger. But that did not stop Trump supporters from harassing Ms. Freeman, and by Dec. 6 the harassment had grown so intense that she called the police. Body-camera video from that day shows her telling a police officer that she has already received more than 400 messages — some racist, some threatening — from Trump supporters. | The claims were almost immediately debunked by the office of Mr. Raffensperger. But that did not stop Trump supporters from harassing Ms. Freeman, and by Dec. 6 the harassment had grown so intense that she called the police. Body-camera video from that day shows her telling a police officer that she has already received more than 400 messages — some racist, some threatening — from Trump supporters. |
| “I’m being accused of treason,” she is heard saying. | “I’m being accused of treason,” she is heard saying. |
| It is unclear whether Mr. Lee, the pastor, consulted or coordinated with others before driving to Ms. Freeman’s home nine days later. | It is unclear whether Mr. Lee, the pastor, consulted or coordinated with others before driving to Ms. Freeman’s home nine days later. |
| Ms. Kutti went to Ms. Freeman’s neighborhood on Jan. 4. Once again, the police were called; Cobb County police body-camera video captured an officer having a phone conversation with Ms. Kutti. | Ms. Kutti went to Ms. Freeman’s neighborhood on Jan. 4. Once again, the police were called; Cobb County police body-camera video captured an officer having a phone conversation with Ms. Kutti. |
| “I work in high-profile crisis situations,” she is heard telling the officer, adding that she had come to help Ms. Freeman. “In the next 48 hours she is going to have people at her door, and this is going to affect her forever.” | “I work in high-profile crisis situations,” she is heard telling the officer, adding that she had come to help Ms. Freeman. “In the next 48 hours she is going to have people at her door, and this is going to affect her forever.” |
| The officer arranged for the two women to meet at a police station, where Ms. Kutti put Ms. Freeman on the phone with Mr. Floyd. | The officer arranged for the two women to meet at a police station, where Ms. Kutti put Ms. Freeman on the phone with Mr. Floyd. |
| In an Instagram post last December, Ms. Kutti said that her interactions with Ms. Freeman had been misreported. She said that Ms. Freeman, who is Black, had “told a chaplain she wanted to provide evidence in exchange for immunity for her and her daughter, but didn’t trust a white man to help her.” | In an Instagram post last December, Ms. Kutti said that her interactions with Ms. Freeman had been misreported. She said that Ms. Freeman, who is Black, had “told a chaplain she wanted to provide evidence in exchange for immunity for her and her daughter, but didn’t trust a white man to help her.” |
| Ms. Kutti, who also is Black, said that “concerned citizens” had asked her to meet with Ms. Freeman. | Ms. Kutti, who also is Black, said that “concerned citizens” had asked her to meet with Ms. Freeman. |
| Through her lawyer, Ms. Freeman denied that she sought an immunity deal. | Through her lawyer, Ms. Freeman denied that she sought an immunity deal. |
| “Ruby Freeman never sought immunity because she didn’t do anything wrong,” said the lawyer, Von DuBose. “Ruby’s life was turned upside down by a fiction of deliberate lies aimed at overturning a legitimate presidential election.” | “Ruby Freeman never sought immunity because she didn’t do anything wrong,” said the lawyer, Von DuBose. “Ruby’s life was turned upside down by a fiction of deliberate lies aimed at overturning a legitimate presidential election.” |
| Testifying at a memorable hearing of the House Jan. 6 committee in June, Ms. Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Moss, described the harrowing situation they found themselves in after Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, publicly accused Ms Freeman of election fraud. Ms. Freeman was forced to go into hiding for a time. | |
| “There is nowhere I feel safe,” Ms. Freeman testified. | “There is nowhere I feel safe,” Ms. Freeman testified. |
| She and her daughter have filed a defamation lawsuit against The Gateway Pundit, the right-wing news site, for publishing false accounts of their election-night work. They have also filed a separate defamation suit against Mr. Giuliani; on Monday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., rejected a motion by Mr. Giuliani to dismiss the case. | |
| Ms. Kutti was correct in predicting that people would turn up at Ms. Freeman’s house. The lawsuit notes that they came on Jan. 6, 2021, and surrounded it. | Ms. Kutti was correct in predicting that people would turn up at Ms. Freeman’s house. The lawsuit notes that they came on Jan. 6, 2021, and surrounded it. |
| The lawsuit goes on to say that Ms. Freeman, on the advice of the F.B.I., “fled her home and did not return for two months.” | The lawsuit goes on to say that Ms. Freeman, on the advice of the F.B.I., “fled her home and did not return for two months.” |
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