Jeffrey Clark’s mug shot, taken Aug. 25, 2023.Photo:Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

Jeffrey Clark mugshot

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

Former Justice Department attorney Jeffrey Clark was one of the final defendants in the Georgia election interference case to surrender to authorities Friday, being booked, photographed and released shortly before noon.

Clark’s appearance at the Fulton County Jail — where he is listed as Inmate No. P01135824 — bears stark contrast to his role as acting assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s civil division during the administration of PresidentDonald Trump.

It also sheds light on just how close Clark came to having even more power in the U.S. government, with court filings detailing how a plan to cast doubt on the 2020 election results allegedly involved making Clark acting attorney general.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) discusses the potential impact of Hurricane Michael

In the indictment against Clark and 18 others, prosecutors allege that the former DOJ official “knowingly and willfully” prepared a false statement claiming that the U.S. Department of Justice had “identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election in multiple States, including the State of Georgia.”

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A bipartisan House committee previously asserted that after Rosen refused to promote false claims of election fraud, Trump considered ousting him as attorney general and replacing him with a more-cooperative Clark in a last-ditch attempt to remain in power.

Trump ultimately backed down from his plan to replace Rosen, and one week beforeJoe Biden’s inauguration, Clark left his post in the Justice Department.

He faces two counts in the sprawling 41-count indictment in Fulton County, including violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and criminal attempt to commit false statements and writings.

Clark made headlines last year when he wasfilmed standing outsidewearing a dress shirt and underwear as federal investigatorscarried out a search of his home.

source: people.com