Kenneth Chesebro, Two Others Plead Not Guilty In Wisconsin Fake Elector Case
Kenneth Chesebro and two co-defendants pleaded not guilty in Wisconsin state court on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to charges that they submitted a false certificate claiming Donald Trump won Wisconsin in 2020.[1]
The Wisconsin complaint accuses Chesebro, Michael Roman and James Troupis of conspiracy and producing fraudulent writings by signing and submitting an alternate electoral certificate, Attorney General Josh Kaul said.[1]
In November 2020, Chesebro emailed memos proposing that alternate Republican electors meet on December 14 to cast votes for Donald Trump in Wisconsin. Troupis forwarded the plan to the Trump campaign and, with aide Michael Roman, helped produce and submit the documents that are the basis of the criminal complaint.
Kaul filed the criminal complaints on June 4, 2024, and prosecutors added ten additional felony forgery counts for each defendant in December 2024, bringing charges to 11 counts apiece. The defendants say they were lawfully preserving options pending possible court rulings that could have declared Trump the state's winner.[1]
The mainstream summary does not mention that the Wisconsin case against Chesebro, Troupis, and Roman is notably distinct from the broader fake elector scheme, which involved 84 individuals across seven states. This context highlights the limited scope of the Wisconsin charges, as only these three campaign operatives face prosecution while none of the state's ten fake electors have been charged with crimes. This disparity suggests a more focused legal strategy that may not fully address the wider implications of the fake electors' actions. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington points out the extensive involvement of individuals in this scheme, underscoring the potential for broader accountability that remains unaddressed in Wisconsin's legal actions.
Additionally, while the mainstream account details the charges against the defendants, it omits the significant legal ramifications they face, as each count carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. This detail, provided by the Wisconsin Independent, emphasizes the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences for the defendants, which could impact public perception of the case and the ongoing discourse surrounding election integrity and accountability in the wake of the 2020 election.
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📊 Relevant Data
The 2020 fake electors scheme involved 84 individuals across seven states submitting alternate electoral certificates claiming Donald Trump won states he lost.
The cases against fake electors and where they stand — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Wisconsin charged none of its 10 fake electors with crimes; only the three campaign operatives faced charges.
Most fake elector prosecutions have stalled. Not Wisconsin's — Wisconsin Watch
Each of the three defendants faces 11 felony counts of forgery and related charges, with each count carrying a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Wisconsin brings more felony charges against Trump associates in 2020 fake electors case — Wisconsin Independent
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Chesebro, Roman and Troupis entered not-guilty pleas in Wisconsin state court.
- The Wisconsin complaint charges them with conspiracy and fraudulent writings for allegedly submitting a false certificate of 2020 electors for Donald Trump.
- Attorney General Josh Kaul has said the case centers on a purported electoral-vote certificate from individuals who were not Wisconsin's duly appointed electors.
- The defendants contend they were lawfully keeping options open pending potential court rulings that Trump won the state.
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