Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been indicted in Arizona alongside 17 other defendants for their roles in attempting to overturn former President Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on her Twitter account that Giuliani has been served with conspiracy, fraud, and forgery charges. Giuliani’s political adviser confirmed the indictment, stating they look forward to full vindication soon.
The indictment alleges that Giuliani pressured Arizona legislators and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to change the outcome of the election. He is accused of encouraging Republican electors in Arizona and six other contested states to vote for Trump. Giuliani is expected to appear in court on Tuesday unless granted a delay. Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has also been indicted in the case, along with other allies of the former president.
Arizona becomes the fourth state where Trump allies have been charged with using false claims about voter fraud related to the election. Giuliani was previously indicted in Georgia for similar actions. Among the defendants are 11 Arizona Republicans who falsely claimed that Trump won in the state, as well as former state GOP chair, a U.S. Senate candidate, and two state lawmakers. The indictment also includes individuals who organized an attempt to use fake documents to persuade Congress not to certify Biden’s victory.
Despite not being charged, Trump was referred to as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case. The 11 individuals who claimed to be Arizona’s Republican electors signed a certificate stating they were duly elected electors and that Trump had won the state. Biden actually won Arizona by over 10,000 votes. John Eastman, who devised a strategy to persuade Congress not to certify the election, became the first person in the case to be arraigned. He pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and forgery charges.
Arraignments for 12 other people charged in the case, including some of the Republicans who falsely declared Trump’s victory, are scheduled for May 21. The Arizona indictment details Eastman’s efforts to pressure GOP electors, state lawmakers, and Vice President Mike Pence to change the election’s outcome. Eastman maintains his innocence, stating he had no involvement in Arizona’s election litigation or legislative hearings. The case highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding the 2020 election and the efforts to challenge the results.
