FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2024
Georgia Attorney General Drops Money Laundering Charges Against Stop Cop City Activists in Major Blow to State’s RICO Case
Presiding Fulton County Judge Kimberly Adams Took a Number of Additional Motions to Dismiss Under Advisement
ATLANTA, GA – At a hearing on Tuesday, September 17, Georgia Deputy Attorney General John Fowler officially dropped all money laundering-related charges connected to the sweeping RICO indictment against ‘Stop Cop City’ activists. The dropping of these charges, which Magistrate Court Judge James Altman previously indicated lack evidence, represents a major victory in the ongoing fight against the political repression of forest defenders and activists.
“From the beginning, we knew these charges were not based on any evidence, but were instead politically motivated and intended to target a social movement,” said Stop Cop City activist Kris Hermes. “Defeating these bogus charges is a major victory, and the Attorney General will ultimately be forced to drop or lose the entire case against Stop Cop City activists.”
The charges were dropped at today’s hearing on five defendants’ motions to dismiss the case. The hearing was scheduled by Judge Kimberly Adams with less than 24 hours notice, and concluded with Judge Adams taking the motions to dismiss under advisement.
Judge Adams previously stated she would schedule the Atlanta Solidarity Fund’s trial first, pending a decision by the Georgia Court of Appeals regarding defendant Ayla King’s motion to dismiss based on a violation of their right to a speedy trial.
“The state has previously claimed that the Atlanta Solidarity Fund is at the center of the alleged criminal enterprise, using the money laundering charges to do so,” said Keyanna Jones, a Stop Cop City activist and co-pastor at Park Avenue Baptist Church. “Now,it is admitting that it doesn’t have the evidence to prove its allegations, just as it lacks the evidence to prove its case altogether.”
Judge Adams has previously scolded the Attorney General’s office for its “gross negligence when handling and disclosing potentially privileged communications” after the state extensively reviewed and shared information protected by attorney-client privilege in violation of multiple defendants’ constitutional rights.
Despite the weakness of its case, the State continues to pursue Racketeering, Domestic Terrorism, and Arson charges against the 61 indicted activists.
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