Rudy Giuliani surrenders to face Georgia election charges with $150,000 bail

Former New York City mayor one of Donald Trump's 18 co-defendants in case focused on alleged attempt to overturn 2020 election

This booking photo provided by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office shows Rudy Giuliani on August 23 in Atlanta, after he surrendered. AP

Rudy Giuliani, who was once Donald Trump's personal lawyer, on Wednesday surrendered at a jail in Georgia on charges that he attempted to overturn the former president's 2020 election defeat.

The former federal prosecutor and New York City mayor was ordered to pay a $150,000 bond and told not to attempt to intimidate any of his 18 co-defendants or witnesses in the case, according to court papers.

"This indictment is a travesty," Mr Giuliani told reporters after his appearance. "This is an assault on the Constitution."

Mr Giuliani is one of 18 co-defendants alongside Mr Trump charged by Georgia prosecutors of trying to reverse the former president's defeat in the state.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis brought the charges against Mr Giuliani, Mr Trump and their co-defendants.

“I'm going to Georgia and I'm feeling very, very good about it because I feel like I'm defending the rights of all Americans,” he said in New York ahead of his trip to Georgia.

Most defendants so far have negotiated bond agreements to avoid being held in jail ahead of their arraignment hearings.

John Eastman, Mr Trump's former lawyer, and Republican poll watcher Scott Hall surrendered to the Fulton County sheriff's office on Tuesday. Booking photos of Mr Eastman and Mr Hall were released later in the day.

Former Trump lawyer John Eastman's mugshot at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Georgia. Fulton County Sheriff's Office / AP

Former Georgia Republican Party leaders Cathy Latham and David Shafer were booked overnight.

Mr Giuliani scoffed at the idea of his mugshot being taken.

“I get photographed. Isn't that nice? A mugshot of the man who probably put the worst criminals of the 20th century in jail,” he said.

Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman at Donald Trump's 'Save America Rally' on January 6, 2021. AP

Mr Giuliani is being charged under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, which is used to take aim at criminal organisations. It is the same law that Mr Giuliani used to go after mob bosses while he was mayor.

The former mayor was one of the most vocal supporters of Mr Trump's false election fraud claims.

Mr Trump said he would surrender to his charges on Thursday. He has already negotiated a $200,000 bond deal.

Trump's co-defendants in his Georgia election indictment – in pictures

Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani perspires as he speaks at Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington. AFP

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Getty Images

John Eastman, lawyer, at a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee. AFP

Sidney Powell at a press conference on election results in Alpharetta, Georgia. Reuters

Jeffrey Clark, former acting assistant attorney general. Getty Images

Lawyer Jenna Ellis on set of the talk show Candace. Getty Images