Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been indicted in Arizona along with 17 other defendants in a case involving a scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The indictment was announced by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who highlighted Giuliani's role in the effort to challenge former President Donald Trump's loss to Joe Biden.
Giuliani faces charges of conspiracy, fraud, and forgery, similar to those levied against his co-defendants. This development follows Giuliani's reported actions to pressure Arizona legislators and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to alter the state's election outcome in favor of Trump. Additionally, he is accused of encouraging Republican electors in Arizona and six other contested states to vote for Trump, despite the official results.
Arizona's Attorney General's Office will release an unredacted copy of the indictment on Monday, and Giuliani is expected to appear in court on Tuesday unless granted a delay. Ted Goodman, Giuliani's political adviser, acknowledged the indictment and expressed confidence in Giuliani's eventual vindication.
Among the other defendants are Mark Meadows, Trump's former chief of staff, and several high-profile figures connected to Trump's election efforts. These include Mike Roman, Trump's director of Election Day operations, and attorneys John Eastman, Christina Bobb, Boris Epshteyn, and Jenna Ellis. The indictment also names 11 Arizona Republicans who falsely declared Trump the winner in Arizona in a document sent to Congress and the National Archives.
This case marks the fourth state where Trump allies face legal action for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. Giuliani and others are charged with using fraudulent claims of voter fraud to disrupt the certification of Biden's victory.
Giuliani's legal troubles are compounded by other ongoing proceedings, including a bankruptcy case following a judgment requiring him to pay $148 million to two former election workers for spreading false conspiracy theories. Additionally, Giuliani faces charges in Georgia for attempting to influence state lawmakers to illegally appoint pro-Trump electors.
John Eastman, one of the co-defendants, has already pleaded not guilty to the charges. He and the other defendants, including several prominent Arizona Republicans, are set for arraignments soon. Eastman, in a brief statement, denied any involvement with Arizona's electors and expressed confidence in his eventual exoneration.
The Arizona indictment highlights the coordinated efforts by Trump's allies to undermine the 2020 election results, reflecting ongoing legal challenges and the broader implications for those involved in the election interference attempts.
