Arizona prosecutors have announced that Jenna Ellis, a former campaign attorney for Donald Trump, will cooperate with them in exchange for charges being dropped in a fake electors case. Ellis, who previously worked closely with Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, had pleaded not guilty to fraud, forgery, and conspiracy charges in Arizona. The state attorney general’s office also mentioned that seventeen others charged in the case, including Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and 11 Republicans, have pleaded not guilty.
Attorney General Kris Mayes stated, “Her insights are invaluable and will greatly aid the State in proving its case in court. 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.”
The charges stemmed from a meeting in Phoenix on December 14, 2020, where eleven people claimed Trump had won Arizona, despite President Joe Biden’s victory in the state. A video of the signing ceremony was posted on social media by the Arizona Republican Party. Ellis had also previously been charged in Georgia and pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting false statements and writings.
As part of the cooperation agreement, Ellis will provide truthful information to the Attorney General’s Office and testify honestly in court proceedings. Prosecutors have already asked for the Arizona charges against Ellis to be dismissed, but it is unclear if a judge has approved the request yet.
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Prosecutors in multiple states have filed criminal charges related to the fake electors scheme, with Arizona unveiling felony charges in late April. Though Trump was not charged in the Arizona case, he was referred to as an unindicted co-conspirator in the indictment.
