Former Trump Campaign Attorney Flips in Arizona Fake Electors Case
PHOENIX — A one-time campaign attorney for former President Donald Trump has agreed to help prosecutors in Arizona’s so-called “fake electors case” stemming from the 2020 election.
Jenna Ellis, who had been one of 18 defendants in the case, along with, among others, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, signed an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors Monday morning.
As a result, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said the charges against Ellis are being dropped.
“This agreement represents a significant step forward in our case,” Mayes said in a brief statement posted to her office’s website. “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,” Mayes continued. “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.”
Ellis was Trump’s senior legal adviser from early 2019 until shortly after he left office in January 2021, and in that role she was among those who assisted in his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
In 2023, she pleaded guilty in the Georgia election interference case in which Trump was also charged. In doing so, Ellis became the fourth co-defendant in that case to accept a plea deal instead of going to trial.
Ellis pleaded guilty in court to aiding and abetting false statements and writings.
The conditions of the plea agreement include the requirements that she serve five years of probation, pay $5,000 of restitution to the Georgia secretary of state within 30 days, and testify at hearings or trials in the case.
In Arizona, Ellis faced felony charges of conspiracy, engaging in “fraudulent schemes and practices,” and forgery.
Prosecutors have dropped all those charges in exchange for her testimony “at any time and any place requested by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, including at any state or federal grand jury proceeding, forfeiture proceeding, bond hearing, pretrial hearing, civil and criminal trial, retrial or post-trial hearing.”
If Ellis fails to comply with the terms of her agreement — including waiving her right to protection from self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment — the charges against her can be re-filed.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue
