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Michigan's attorney general has reached a cooperation deal with one of the 16 Republicans who signed a certificate falsely claiming that Donald Trump won the state's 2020 presidential election.
James Renner, 76, could serve as a witness in future legal proceedings as state prosecutors pursue charges against 15 other Republicans who signed the false certificate on December 14, 2020. The deal between Renner and Attorney General Dana Nessel says that the former will cooperate fully with law enforcement to provide information about "Michigan false slate of electors."
The agreement between Nessel's office and Renner of Lansing, Michigan, could open the potential for Georgia-style criminal proceedings against yet more Trump supporters involved in alleged tampering in the election.
The deal with Renner was revealed at an Ingham County District Court hearing on Thursday morning. Judge Kristen Simmons granted a motion to drop eight felony charges against Renner, The Detroit News newspaper reported.
It also noted that Simmons granted a request for a mental evaluation of another Trump elector, Timothy King of Ypsilanti, whose lawyer, Michael Vincent, said in court that King suffered delusional" and illogical thinking. He added that it had been difficult to get his client to focus on the serious charges he's facing.
The dismissal came the same day lawyer Sidney Powell, who brought an unsuccessful lawsuit to overturn Michigan's 2020 election, pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Georgia as part of a deal with prosecutors there.
Renner could testify in future legal proceedings as state prosecutors pursue charges against 15 other Republicans who signed the false certificate on December 14, 2020. Renner was one of two Republicans who filled in for previously selected Trump electors who couldn't attend the gathering at Michigan's Republican headquarters.
Joe Biden won Michigan, but Trump and his supporters wrongly claimed the election was rigged. As part of the push to undermine Biden's victory, Trump backers allegedly schemed to replace Michigan's electoral-college representatives with Republicans. They gathered in the basement of the then-Michigan Republican Party headquarters on December 14, 2020, and signed a certificate, claiming to cast the state's 16 electoral votes for Trump.
In the documents, they claimed to be "the duly and qualified electors" convening in Michigan's Capitol to cast votes as required by Congress. After walking to the Capitol, Michigan State Police turned them away at the door, as the true electors had already been there and signed the correct certificate.
Eventually, the Republican false certificate was sent to the National Archives and Congress.
The fake certificates were ignored, but the attempt has been subject to investigations, including by the U.S. House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021 riots in the U.S. Capitol.
With Renner's cooperation agreement, charges remain pending against 15 of the 16 false electors. Among them are Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot and former Michigan Republican Party Co-Chairwoman Meshawn Maddock, who, in July, pleaded not guilty to eight felony charges.
About the writer
Sean O'Driscoll is a Newsweek Senior Crime and Courts Reporter based in Ireland. His focus is reporting on U.S. law. ... Read more