Former Trump lawyer to cooperate in Arizona fake electors case

Jenna Ellis has previously pleaded not guilty to fraud, forgery and conspiracy charges in the case

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Jenna Ellis, a former campaign lawyer for Donald Trump. File photo: AP

Published: 5:48am, 6 Aug 2024Updated: 2:04pm, 6 Aug 2024

Former US president Donald Trump’s campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis, who worked closely with Rudy Giuliani, will cooperate with Arizona prosecutors in exchange for charges being dropped against her in a fake electors case, the state attorney general’s office said on Monday.

Ellis has previously pleaded not guilty to fraud, forgery and conspiracy charges in the Arizona case.

Seventeen other people charged in the case have pleaded not guilty to the felony charges – including Giuliani, Trump presidential chief of staff Mark Meadows and 11 Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring Trump had won Arizona.

“Her insights are invaluable and will greatly aid the State in proving its case in court,” Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement. “As I stated when the initial charges were announced, I will not allow American democracy to be undermined – it is far too important. Today’s announcement is a win for the rule of law.”

Last year, Ellis was charged in Georgia after she appeared with Giuliani at a December 2020 hearing hosted by state Republican lawmakers at the Georgia Capitol during which false allegations of election fraud were made. She had pleaded guilty in October to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings.

The cooperation agreement signed by Ellis in the Arizona case requires her to provide truthful information to the Attorney General’s Office and testify honestly in proceedings in any state or federal court. Prosecutors can withdraw from the deal and refile charges if Ellis violates the agreement.