Arizona Grand Jury Indicts 18, Including Trump Allies, Over 2020 Fake Elector Scheme
A grand jury in Arizona has indicted 18 individuals, including former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and lawyer Rudy Giuliani, for their alleged involvement in a scheme to use fake electors to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Indictments Target Trump Allies
Among the indicted are 11 Republicans who submitted a document falsely declaring Trump the Arizona victor, despite Joe Biden’s certified win. The defendants include Kelli Ward, the state GOP chair from 2019 until early 2023; state Sen. Jake Hoffman; Tyler Bowyer, an executive of Turning Point USA; state Sen. Anthony Kern; Greg Safsten, former executive director of the Arizona Republican Party; energy industry executive James Lamon; Robert Montgomery, chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee in 2020; Samuel Moorhead, a Republican precinct committee member in Gila County; Nancy Cottle, first vice president of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women in 2020; Loraine Pellegrino, past president of the Ahwatukee Republican Women; and Michael Ward, an osteopathic physician married to Kelli Ward.
Charges of Conspiracy, Fraud, and Forgery
The defendants are charged with nine counts each of conspiracy, fraud, and forgery. The indictment alleges that they conspired to submit a false elector certificate, claiming Trump won Arizona despite the certified results showing Biden’s victory.
Trump Described as Unindicted Co-Conspirator
The indictment describes Trump as an unindicted co-conspirator, alleging that he was involved in recruiting a slate of fake electors in seven battleground states, including Arizona. Trump has argued that he cannot be prosecuted for actions taken as president.
Fourth State with Fake Elector Charges
Arizona is the fourth state where Trump allies have faced charges related to the fake elector scheme. Similar indictments have been issued in Nevada, Michigan, and Georgia.
Attorney General Vows to Protect Democracy
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who released the indictments, stated that she will not allow American democracy to be undermined and that it is too important to protect.
Indicted Individuals Respond
Some of the indicted individuals have responded to the charges. Hoffman accused Mayes of weaponizing the attorney general’s office and stated that he is innocent and will vigorously defend himself. Other defendants did not respond to requests for comment.
Investigation and Charges
The indictment is the result of an investigation by Mayes’ office. The investigation did not include the fake elector allegations, which were uncovered by Mayes after she took office.
In a separate election-related case brought by Mayes’ office, two Republican officials in Cochise County face felony charges for delaying the canvassing of the 2022 general election results.
