The leader of a nonprofit representing the Haitian community has invoked a private-citizen right to file charges against former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.

The leader of a nonprofit representing the Haitian community of Springfield, Ohio, filed criminal charges Tuesday against former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, over the chaos and threats experienced by the city since Trump first spread false claims about legal immigrants there during a presidential debate.

The Haitian Bridge Alliance invoked its private-citizen right to file the charges in the wake of inaction by the local prosecutor, said their attorney, Subodh Chandra of the Cleveland-based Chandra Law Firm.

“Their persistence and relentlessness, even in the face of the governor and the mayor saying this is false, that shows intent,” Chandra said. “It’s knowing, willful flouting of criminal law.”

  • PriorityMotif@lemmy.world
    18·
    3 months ago

    In case anyone is unaware some places have private prosecution.

    Ohio:

    A private citizen having knowledge of the facts who seeks to cause an arrest or prosecution under this section may file an affidavit charging the offense committed with a reviewing official for the purpose of review to determine if a complaint should be filed by the prosecuting attorney or attorney charged by law with the prosecution of offenses in the court or before the magistrate.

    • frezik@midwest.social
      4·
      3 months ago

      Thanks, I was wondering. Generally speaking “pressing charges” isn’t something private citizens do like is shown in movies, but I guess it is a thing in Ohio.