DETROIT (NEWSnet/AP) — A state investigator testified Wednesday that he considers Donald Trump and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to be uncharged co-conspirators in a scheme to claim Trump won Michigan’s 2020 electoral vote.

Trump and Meadows were among names mentioned during cross-examination of Howard Shock, whose work led to forgery charges against more than a dozen people in Michigan.

A judge at the state capital is holding hearings to determine if there is enough evidence to order a trial.

A defense attorney, Duane Silverthorn, offered a series of names and asked Shock if they were “unindicted co-conspirators,” meaning they weren't charged, but could have been part of an alleged plot to put Michigan's votes in Trump's column.

Prosecutors from the attorney general's office did not object. Shock responded “yes” to Trump, Meadows, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and some high-ranking state Republicans.

Silverthorn moved on to other questions.

Detroit-area attorney Margaret Raben, former head of a statewide association of defense lawyers, said she is surprised the question was answered.

“It's irrelevant — legally and factually irrelevant — that there are other people who could have been charged or should have been charged," Raben said.

Meadows' lawyer, George Terwilliger, had a similar reaction when reached by The Associated Press. He declined further comment. An email seeking comment was sent to a Trump spokesperson.

Follow NEWSnet on Facebook and X platform to get our headlines in your social feeds.

Copyright 2024 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.