PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, along with ten others, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to nine felony charges related to their involvement in efforts to overturn former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Arizona to Joe Biden. The charges include conspiracy, forgery, and fraud. Giuliani and former Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward both appeared remotely for the arraignment held in a Phoenix courtroom, with their trials scheduled for October 17, just weeks before the U.S. election.
According to the indictment, Giuliani is accused of spreading false claims of election fraud in Arizona following the 2020 election, orchestrating efforts to pressure officials and legislators to change the outcome, and encouraging Republican electors to vote for Trump in mid-December 2020. During the remote appearance, Giuliani claimed he did not have an attorney and felt capable of handling the arraignment himself, expressing familiarity with the charges from his own readings.
Arizona authorities had difficulties serving Giuliani with the indictment, leading to a delay in the legal proceedings. Prosecutors requested a $10,000 cash bond after facing challenges in serving notice to Giuliani and alleged his lack of intent to comply with the legal process. The judge required Giuliani to post a secured appearance bond of $10,000 and appear in Arizona within 30 days for booking procedures.
Giuliani defended himself, stating that he had not been evading authorities but had security measures in place due to past death threats. He criticized the indictment as political and called it an embarrassment to the American legal system. Despite the charges, Giuliani’s spokesperson expressed confidence in his eventual vindication.
This case is part of a broader investigation into Republicans falsely declaring Trump as the winner of Arizona in the 2020 election. Allies of the former president have faced charges in multiple states for baseless claims of voter fraud. The defendants, including prominent figures like Ward and Giuliani, are entangled in a legal battle that underscores the political tensions surrounding the highly contested election.
The individuals who pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, including Ward, Tyler Bowyer, and state Sen. Anthony Kern, are involved in a complex web of alleged conspiracy to alter election results. With ongoing arraignments and legal proceedings, the case continues to unfold, shedding light on the divisive aftermath of the 2020 election and its lingering impact on the political landscape. As the legal process moves forward, the outcomes of these trials may have significant implications for future elections and the accountability of public officials involved in challenging the democratic process.