Philadelphia GOP Campaign Operative Indicted in Racketeering Case Linked to Trump’s 2020 Election Efforts
A Philadelphia-born GOP campaign operative, Mike Roman, has been indicted in a major racketeering case alongside 17 other allies of former President Donald Trump. The charges stem from their alleged attempts to overturn the results of Georgia’s 2020 election. Roman, who served as the director of Election Day operations for Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, now faces several counts, including racketeering conspiracy, forgery, impersonating a public officer, filing false statements, and falsifying documents.
The indictment against Roman and his cohorts sheds light on their role in organizing slates of so-called fake electors in battleground states, which has been widely investigated by federal authorities and congressional committees. However, this is the first time Roman himself has faced criminal charges related to the former president’s efforts to overturn the election.
Here’s what you need to know about Mike Roman and the charges against him:
1. Election Day Operations Director: Roman served as the director of Election Day operations for Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. His responsibilities included organizing the seven slates of fake Trump electors in battleground states, such as Pennsylvania.
2. Alleged Conspiracy: According to the indictment, Roman was part of a broader conspiracy involving 18 allies and aides to undermine and overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. This included collaborating with other campaign officials to organize fake electors in Georgia and other states won by President Joe Biden.
3. Encouraging Unlawful Appointments: The indictment claims that Roman urged campaign officials to contact Georgia state legislators and encourage them to unlawfully appoint Trump electors. This action sought to manipulate the electoral process and undermine the will of the voters.
4. Spreading False Information: Roman allegedly organized speakers for a hearing before a Georgia House committee, where false information about voter fraud was disseminated. The indictment suggests that Roman played a pivotal role in spreading disinformation about the state’s election.
5. Recruitment of Fake Electors: Roman is accused of coordinating the recruitment of fake Trump electors in Georgia and other states. He worked with others to collect their names and contact information in a spreadsheet, while also staying updated on their activities on the ground.
Mike Roman, now 51 years old, was raised in Kensington, Philadelphia. After a brief stint at the University of Miami, he returned to the city and pursued a career in politics. He gained prominence for his involvement in a special election campaign in 1993, where a federal judge overturned the initial election results, declaring Roman’s candidate, Bruce Marks, the winner due to allegations of fraud and irregularities.
Roman’s political career led him to secure a consulting contract with Freedom Partners, the primary fundraising arm for the right-wing Koch brothers. He also worked as a GOP ward leader and contributed to presidential campaigns, including those of George W. Bush, John McCain, and Rudolph Giuliani. Roman joined the Trump campaign in 2016 and later became a special assistant to the president before being appointed to his role in Trump’s reelection effort.
Known as a fraud hunter and online provocateur in Republican circles, Roman gained attention back in 2008 when he publicized the presence of two members of the New Black Panther Party outside a Philadelphia polling site, highlighting accusations of voter intimidation by Democrats.
The indictment against Mike Roman and his 17 allies and aides paints a disturbing picture of efforts to undermine the democratic process and overturn the will of the people. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this case will impact Trump and his inner circle, as well as the broader implications for the political landscape.
