Mayes: Key Defendant in Arizona’s Fake Trump Elector Scandal Turns State Witness

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is set to reveal next week that one of the defendants in the state’s fake elector case will testify for the prosecution.

In April, a grand jury indicted 18 individuals for signing false documents claiming that Donald Trump won the 2020 election. Trump is listed as “unindicted co-conspirator 1.” The indictment accuses these electors of deceiving the public with false claims of election fraud to prevent the lawful transition of presidential power.

The 11 Trump electors face nine felony charges, including conspiracy, fraud, and forgery. All participants pleaded not guilty. Among the indicted are two Arizona State Senators and several prominent GOP figures.

This latest development was initially reported by 12 News. Mayes indicated to 12 News that a “significant announcement” is forthcoming next week, confirming it would involve a defendant choosing to cooperate with the prosecution.

The high-profile defendants include:

• Kelli Ward, former AZGOP chairman
• Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman, leader of the Arizona Freedom Caucus
• Arizona Senator Anthony Kern, member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus
• Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point USA CEO
• Michael Ward, Kelli Ward’s husband
• Nancy Cottle, active in local politics for a decade
• James Lamon, a 2022 U.S. Senate candidate
• Robert Montgomery, former chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee
• Samuel Moorhead, former chairman of the Gila County Republican Party
• Lorraine Pellegrino, former president of the Ahwatukee Republican Women
• Gregory Safsten, former executive director of the AZGOP

Additional individuals connected with the Trump campaign and involved in the scheme include:

• Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s attorney
• Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff
• Christina Bobb, RNC’s senior counsel for election integrity
• John Eastman, former Trump lawyer
• Boris Epshteyn, former Trump aide
• Jenna Ellis, former Trump campaign attorney
• Michael Roman, former Trump campaign aide

AG spokesperson Richie Taylor confirmed via email to the Arizona Mirror, “I can confirm we expect to make that type of announcement next week in the case,” adding no further details at this time.