Former AZ Rep. Austin Smith Charged in Signature Forgery Scandal

Former Arizona State Representative Austin Smith (R-LD29) was indicted on Tuesday by an Arizona Grand Jury on 14 counts concerning alleged fraudulent candidate signatures. The indictment includes both felony and misdemeanor charges.

Smith, a Republican from the west valley, previously served from 2022 to 2024 before withdrawing from the 2024 election amid a legal challenge against his nomination petition. He also stepped down from his role as senior director at Turning Point Action during this period.

Votebeat’s Jen Fifield reported that as of Tuesday morning, Smith still appeared as a director on Turning Point Action’s website and listed that position on his social media accounts.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated in a press release that the charges include deceiving the Secretary of State’s office with forged elector signatures. Smith faces one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Practices, three counts of Presentment of False Instrument for Filing, and ten counts of Illegal Signing of Election Petitions. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 5.5 years in prison and fines totaling $25,000.

According to a statement posted by Smith on social media, he claimed the allegations were made by two Democratic activists associated with the District 29 Democratic organization. He argued that such a scenario is improbable, stating that Republicans seeking ballot access wouldn’t need Democratic signatures to begin with. Smith described the charges as part of a “coordinated attack,” which he suggested was orchestrated through press releases and social media campaigns.

He had anticipated the indictment, noting his readiness to spend substantial resources to defend against both civil and likely criminal investigations stemming from his political positions. After his withdrawal from the election, legal proceedings regarding the lawsuit against him did not progress, as reported by Votebeat.

The recent indictment comes amidst a broader political landscape where Smith had been under scrutiny, particularly after AG Mayes launched an investigation against him, culminating in the charges filed on June 2.