By Matthew Holloway |
Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Tuesday the indictment of former Arizona State Representative Austin Smith (R-LD29) by an Arizona Grand Jury on 14 counts related to alleged fraudulent candidate signatures. According to the indictment, Smith faces both felony and misdemeanor counts.
The west valley Republican and former senior director of Turning Point Action served his first term in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2022-24 before withdrawing from the 2024 election when a legal challenge against his petition was filed. He also resigned from Turning Point Action at that time.
According to Votebeat’s Jen Fifield, Smith was still listed on Turning Point Action’s website as a director until Tuesday morning, listing the role on his X profile and now-deleted LinkedIn profile as well.
In a press release, Mayes said, “The defendant has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including deceiving the Secretary of State’s office with petitions containing forged elector signatures and signing names other than his own to the nominating petition.”
He is charged with one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Practices, a Class 5 Felony, three counts of Presentment of False Instrument for Filing, Class 6 Felonies, and ten counts of Illegal Signing of Election Petitions, Class 1 Misdemeanors. Under ARS 13-702 and 13-802, Smith could face a maximum of 5.5 years in prison if found guilty on all four felony counts, and a fine of up to $2,500 per count for the ten misdemeanors totaling $25,000.
In a two-page statement posted to X, Smith described the allegations against him as being “alleged by two Democrat activists who were officers in the District 29 Democratic organization.” He added, “It seemed ludicrous because Republicans trying to get on the ballot don’t seek Democrat signatures and would have no reason to forge Democrat signatures, since they don’t count.”
He also characterized the allegations as a “coordinated attack,” that “included press releases and social media activity and other things that made it clear that this was a well-organized effort.”
He also made it clear at the time that he expected an indictment to come, writing, “This was a very intense effort to ‘get me’ and I needed to be prepared to spend tens of thousands of dollars to defend myself, not only against the civil elections matter, but most likely against some sort of criminal investigation that would be launched by those on the left who are unhappy with my politics.”
After Smith dropped out of the 2024 election, the lawsuit against him did not move forward according to Votebeat.
However, an investigation launched by Mayes against one of her most vocal critics in the Arizona legislature, resulted in the June 2nd indictment just over a year later.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
