Chicago area minister, publicist surrender to authorities in Georgia indictment involving Trump
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago-based publicist Trevian Kutti and suburban Lutheran minister Reverend Stephen Lee surrendered to authorities in connection with charges of trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.
Kutti is accused of intimidating an election worker.
Meanwhile, Lee is charged with intimidating election workers.
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office said both turned themselves in on Friday morning, ahead of an 11 a.m. deadline.
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All 19 people charged in the case have now turned themselves in. Former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities Thursday and was released on bond.
It's being alleged both Kutti and Lee schemed to illegally overturn Trump's 2020 election loss and stop the peaceful transition of power.
Prosecutors said Kutti traveled from Chicago to Atlanta in an attempt to pressure an election worker to report election fraud claims in testimony. Kutti is a former publicist for artists R. Kelly and Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.
Kutti has not replied to numerous messages left by the ABC7 I-Team, but on Friday night, a post on her Facebook page complete with mugshot stated, "Freedom is not free. God Bless America" with two emojis, including the stars and stripes.
Suburban minister indicted in Georgia alongside Donald Trump targeted by Christian protesters
Lee is seen on Georgia police bodycam footage allegedly intimidating an election worker in December 2020.
Lee is also seen in a campaign video on YouTube for an Illinois pro-Trump congressional candidate. His attorney told the I-Team that he will be "vigorously contesting" the charges in Georgia.
ABC7 has been learning more about the group who paid to bail Lee out. Chicago attorney David Shestokas tonight said Lee cobbled together $7,500 cash to finance his freedom.
A sizable portion of of the bail money is from a Tinley Park-based Christian policy group that began soliciting money on their website. They were seen celebrating the fund-raising response in a photo with Lee, his daughter and attorney.
"It was one of my board members that brought our attention to it. And he asked me if we wanted to help in any way, and I suggested that we could put an article out just to bring attention to his plight and his need. And then it dawned on me that we could easily be the source for him or the the offering plate you might say, where people can make donations to his legal fund, and then we can transfer those funds at a later time. And so that's what we did," said David E. Smith with the Illinois Family Institute.
Protesters want Lee removed from his Lutheran Church Post. A petition drive online has reached over 18,000 signatures. It's demanding Lee's removal from the congregation he is assigned to in Orland Park.
Chicago-based publicist, suburban minister indicted alongside Trump in Georgia election scheme
This indictment follows an investigation that lasted more than two years and marks the fourth criminal case brought against the former president.
Those charged in Monday's indictment face a slew of charges, including racketeering, violating the oath of a public officer, forgery, false statements and other offenses.
ABC7 has reached to both Kutti and Lee for a response, but neither has commented. A bond agreement this week was set at $75,000 for both Lee and Kutti.
