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Ray Smith is an Atlanta-based business and real estate attorney, who is currently a partner at the law firm Smith & Liss. He also worked as Donald Trump’s local attorney of record in Georgia during the 2020 election.
Background
During a Georgia State Senate hearing in December 2020, Ray Smith falsely stated that there was widespread voter fraud in Georgia’s presidential election— testifying that over 130,000 illegal ballots had been cast by felons, minors, and other ineligible voters.
Smith attempted to persuade the Georgia legislature to appoint a slate of fake electors for Trump.
He also encouraged the ‘fake electors’ to sign a document certifying Trump as the official winner instead of Biden.
Why was Smith indicted?
Smith is one of 19 people criminally charged in Fulton County, GA based on allegations that they attempted to overturn the will of the voters and alter the outcome of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.
The Fulton indictment alleges Smith spread false claims of voter fraud to Georgia’s state senators and house members, asking these and other state officials to appoint a slate of fake electors, and encouraging those fake electors to sign a document that falsely certified Trump as the winner in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election, even though President Biden won the popular vote in that state.
He is also alleged to have presented false information to Georgia legislators, claiming voter fraud in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election.
Ray Smith was charged in the Fulton County indictment with 12 felony counts, including:
Violation of Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) law, and
solicitation of violation of oath by public officer
false statements and writings
conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer
conspiracy to commit forgery
conspiracy to commit filing false documents
In August 2023, Smith waived his arraignment and became the first GA co-defendant to plead not guilty.
In October 2023, Smith waived his rights for a speedy trial.