Rudy Giuliani Faces Indictment Notice in Arizona Election Scheme Case
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was served with a notice of indictment on Friday in relation to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Arizona, according to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. This legal development marks another challenge for Giuliani amidst a series of ongoing legal issues arising from his role as a lawyer for former President Donald Trump after the election.
Service at 80th Birthday Party
Giuliani received the indictment notice during his 80th birthday party at a Palm Beach, Florida, venue. Arizona Attorney General representatives reportedly served him with the papers late in the evening amidst a gathering of hundreds of guests. Some partygoers reportedly expressed their dismay over the event.
Formal Criminal Charge
The notice of indictment signifies that Giuliani is formally charged with a criminal offense and must present himself before a judge. The Arizona Attorney General’s office had previously attempted to locate Giuliani for several weeks prior to the service of this legal notice.
Spreading False Voter Fraud Claims
The indictment pertains to Giuliani’s role in spreading false claims of voter fraud across the country following the 2020 election. The indictment documents accuse him of asserting that Arizona officials had “made no effort to find out” if the votes were accurate and encouraging Republican electors in multiple states, including Arizona, to vote for Trump-Pence on December 14, 2020.
Background of the Case
Former Trump lawyer John Eastman was the first defendant to appear in court on Friday, following last month’s indictment of 12 individuals for their involvement as fake GOP electors from Arizona during the 2020 presidential election. Giuliani, alongside others, is expected to face charges related to this case in the coming weeks.
Previous Legal Woes
Giuliani has faced numerous legal challenges since his efforts to contest the 2020 election results. He filed for bankruptcy in federal court in New York just days after a jury ordered him to pay nearly $150 million to two former Georgia election workers for making defamatory statements about them. Giuliani is also an unindicted co-conspirator in Trump’s federal election subversion case, faces 13 charges in the Georgia election subversion case, and is being sued for defamation by both Dominion and Smartmatic, voting technology companies he falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election.
Impact on Giuliani’s Career
This indictment is just one of several legal woes that threaten to impact Giuliani’s professional reputation and future. The Arizona Attorney General’s office has confirmed that Giuliani is under investigation for his role in the election subversion efforts, adding to the mounting legal challenges he faces.
Future Court Appearance
Giuliani is scheduled to appear for an arraignment in Phoenix on Tuesday, unless the court grants a delay. He remains a significant figure in the Republican Party and his legal battles continue to attract widespread attention.
Additional Reporting
News Finder’s Zachary Cohen and Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report. For more information, please refer to the related article regarding Giuliani’s canceled radio show due to his promotion of false 2020 election conspiracy theories.
