Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis strikes deal with Arizona AG in fake electors case

Former President Donald Trump's campaign attorney, Jenna Ellis, has struck a deal with Arizona prosecutors to cooperate in the state's ongoing fake electors case. The Arizona Attorney General's office announced Monday that this agreement results in charges against her being dropped.

Ellis, who previously pleaded not guilty to fraud, forgery, and conspiracy charges, is expected to provide crucial insights into the case. Her cooperation is anticipated to significantly bolster the prosecution's efforts against the remaining defendants, including Rudy Giuliani, Trump's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and 11 Republicans who submitted a document falsely declaring Trump's victory in Arizona.

Jenna Ellis' cooperation

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized the importance of Ellis's cooperation, stating, "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."

This development is part of a broader legal battle stemming from the 2020 presidential election, which Trump still insists he won. Last year, Ellis faced charges in Georgia after appearing with Giuliani at a December 2020 hearing, where false allegations of election fraud were made. She pleaded guilty in October to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings.

Ellis's involvement in the Arizona case includes making false claims of widespread election fraud in multiple states, encouraging the Arizona Legislature to alter the election outcome, and pressing then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept Arizona's fake elector votes.

The indictment details a meeting on December 1, 2020, at the Arizona Legislature involving Ellis, Giuliani, and other associates. They reportedly urged then-House Speaker Rusty Bowers to hold a committee hearing on the election. Despite the pressure, Bowers later testified that he found no evidence to support the fraud claims presented by Giuliani and his team.

Former Trump officers that have cooperated with investigations

Ellis's decision to cooperate follows a similar pattern in other high-profile cases involving former Trump associates. For instance, Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, provided extensive testimony to federal prosecutors and Congress, shedding light on various legal and ethical breaches. Similarly, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, after initially pleading guilty to lying to the FBI, cooperated with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

These individuals' cooperation has often been pivotal in advancing legal proceedings and uncovering deeper insights into the complex network of actions surrounding the Trump administration's efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.