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Lin Wood Expected to Testify in Trump RICO Trial: What You Need to Know
Key Takeaways
- Attorney Lin Wood, a die-hard QAnon supporter and pro-Trump lawyer, is expected to be called as a witness in the RICO trial against Donald Trump and 18 other co-defendants.
- Wood’s involvement in post-election efforts to challenge the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory and his connection to other Trump allies likely explains prosecutors’ interest in him as a witness.
- Wood has faced consequences for his actions, including retirement to avoid disbarment and penalties in states where he litigated frivolous election challenges.
- He was also involved in lawsuits filed by Sidney Powell, another Trump attorney, but denies substantive involvement in those cases.
On Jan. 1, 2021, attorney Lin Wood took to Twitter to address concerns about his sanity amidst his controversial statements and actions. Wood, a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump and a prominent figure in the QAnon conspiracy theory community, had been actively challenging the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. His posts even suggested radical ideas like the arrest and execution of then Vice President Mike Pence as a last-ditch effort to prevent the Electoral College certification.
Recently, a filing by Fulton County prosecutors revealed that Wood is expected to be called as a witness in the state’s RICO trial against Trump and 18 other co-defendants for their alleged efforts to tamper with election results in Georgia. This development is likely concerning for some of the defendants, including fellow attorney Sidney Powell, with whom Wood frequently collaborated.
Wood’s involvement in post-election efforts to keep Trump in power and his association with individuals working for Trump in an official capacity could explain prosecutors’ interest in him as a witness. Despite not officially representing Trump as an attorney, Wood played a significant role in filing election lawsuits in Atlanta and promoting baseless claims of fraud at rallies. These lawsuits were ultimately dismissed, and Wood faced penalties for filing frivolous claims.
In a 2021 interview, Wood mentioned that Powell and other Trump allies had used his South Carolina plantation as a hub for planning efforts to undermine the election results. Although he denies working closely with Flynn or Powell, Wood extended hospitality and facilitated their gathering of information about the election. When questioned about making phone calls to potential plaintiffs, Wood claimed to have tried to be helpful due to his familiarity with Georgia and his history of practicing law in Atlanta.
Wood’s involvement with Powell in filing lawsuits extended to Michigan as well. However, their claim to decertify the state’s election results was strongly rebuked, and they were ordered to pay legal fees as a sanction for filing a frivolous claim. This outcome had lasting consequences for Wood, leading to a spiral of animosity against Powell and other prominent Trump allies.
Wood accused Powell and Gen. Michael Flynn of being grifters and part of a Deep State organization that used the “Stop the Steal” campaign to raise money for undisclosed purposes. He claimed Powell had signed his name to certain lawsuits without his knowledge or permission. Although Powell acknowledged the possibility of a misunderstanding, Wood maintains that he had no involvement with the lawsuits filed in Arizona and Wisconsin that listed his name.
Wood’s upcoming testimony before the Fulton County grand jury is his closest brush with the criminal cases surrounding the 2020 election. Despite the consequences he has faced and the animosity with former allies, Wood remains a staunch supporter of President Trump. However, it remains to be seen how his testimony will impact the ongoing RICO trial.