Madison, Wisconsin — Three former aides to President Donald Trump are scheduled to appear in a Wisconsin court Monday for a preliminary hearing that will determine whether prosecutors can move forward with felony charges tied to an alleged fake-elector scheme following the 2020 election.
Jim Troupis, Kenneth Chesebro, and Mike Roman each face 11 felony counts of forgery, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Prosecutors allege the men misled Republican electors into signing false certificates claiming Trump won Wisconsin, despite his loss in the state that year. The paperwork was allegedly intended to be transmitted to then–Vice President Mike Pence as part of broader efforts to overturn the election results.
State officials say the defendants falsely told electors the documents would only be used if courts later ruled in Trump’s favor. Investigators found that most of the electors did not consent to having their signatures submitted to Congress without such a ruling. None of the electors themselves are facing criminal charges.
The hearing follows unsuccessful attempts by the defendants to dismiss the case or remove the presiding judge. Dane County Circuit Judge John Hyland rejected claims of judicial bias and refused to recuse himself or move the case. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate those allegations.
The Wisconsin case is notable as similar prosecutions in Michigan and Georgia have stalled, while federal prosecutors previously dropped a related case. Prosecutors have said the fake-elector strategy that later became central to Jan. 6 inquiries originated in Wisconsin.
If the judge finds sufficient evidence, the case will proceed to trial, marking one of the most advanced state-level efforts to hold Trump allies accountable for actions tied to the 2020 election.
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