Donald Trump’s former attorney Jenna Ellis has reached a cooperation agreement with officials in Arizona as part of the state’s “fake elector” case, the Arizona attorney general’s office announced Monday.
The state is dropping the charges against Ellis in exchange for her cooperation, officials said.
Ellis was facing nine felonies as part of the case.
She pleaded not guilty in Maricopa County court in June for her alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Arizona.
As part of her cooperation deal, Ellis has agreed to provide information and materials to law enforcement officials as well as to testify “at any time and place,” according to a copy of her cooperation agreement that was released by officials.
Ellis also sat for a recorded proffer session with the attorney general’s office on June 17, according to the agreement.
“This agreement represents a significant step forward in our case,” said Attorney General Mayes in a statement. “I am grateful to Ms. Ellis for her cooperation with our investigation and prosecution. Her insights are invaluable and will greatly aid the State in proving its case in court.”
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Rome, Ga., March 9, 2024.
Mike Stewart/AP, FILE
This spring, Ellis was one of eighteen individuals indicted by Mayes’ office over their alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state. A number of former and current aides to Trump were among those indicted, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.
Trump was not charged in the case.
The deal marks the second cooperation agreement for Ellis, who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in Georgia last year after she was indicted in Fulton County alongside Donald Trump and 17 others over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in that state.
Appearing in a Georgia courtroom in October, Ellis tearfully denounced her work on behalf of Trump during the 2020 election.
“If I knew then what I know now, I would have declined to represent Donald Trump, in these post-election challenges,’ Ellis told the judge in that case. “I look back on this whole experience with deep remorse.”
ABC News later exclusively obtained video of Ellis’ proffer session with Fulton County prosecutors.
In addition to Ellis, Georgia defendants Kenneth Chesebro, Sidney Powell and Scott Hall also took cooperation deals in the Georgia case.
Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for former President Donald Trump, has agreed to cooperate in an ongoing investigation into the so-called “fake elector” scheme in Arizona. This development comes as part of a larger effort by state officials to uncover any potential instances of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
The “fake elector” scheme refers to a group of individuals who falsely claimed to be official electors for the state of Arizona and submitted their own electoral votes for Trump in the days following the November election. These votes were ultimately rejected by state officials, but the incident raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.
Ellis, who was a key figure in Trump’s legal team during his post-election challenges, has reportedly agreed to provide information and testimony to investigators looking into the fake elector case. This move is significant as Ellis was a prominent advocate for Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud and election irregularities.
In a statement, Ellis expressed her commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. She emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who seek to undermine the democratic process through fraudulent means.
The investigation into the fake elector case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what impact Ellis’s cooperation will have on the outcome. However, her willingness to assist in the investigation signals a potential shift in her stance on election integrity issues.
This development comes at a time when allegations of election fraud continue to be a divisive issue in American politics. The 2020 presidential election saw unprecedented levels of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the voting process, leading to widespread distrust in the outcome.
As the investigation into the fake elector case progresses, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize transparency and accountability. The integrity of the electoral process is paramount to upholding democracy, and any attempts to subvert it must be thoroughly investigated and addressed.
In conclusion, Jenna Ellis’s decision to cooperate in the Arizona fake elector case underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of elections. Her involvement in the investigation could shed light on the extent of fraudulent activity surrounding the 2020 presidential election and help restore public trust in the electoral process.
