In a series of legal developments, Arizona State Representative Alex Kolodin has filed a bar complaint against the Cochise County Attorney for allegedly violating attorney-client privilege, with the complaint included in the filing, following the indictment of Cochise County Supervisors who were fighting to secure elections. Meanwhile, in Maricopa County, a judge has allowed a defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake, filed by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, to proceed, which Lake's team described as an unconstitutional assault on her First Amendment Rights. Lake's defense, which suggested that her statements were either 'imaginative expression' or 'rhetorical hyperbole,' was rejected by the court. Superior Court Judge Jay Adleman, in a 13-page decision, ruled that the statements cited as defamatory by Richer could be proven false before a jury. Lake did not satisfy the burden of establishing prima facie proof that Richer initiated the lawsuit to deter lawful free expression. Lake has the option to appeal the court's decision, but Richer's team is moving forward with discovery as ordered by the court. The public can follow today's court proceedings by searching 'Kari Lake' online, where today's hearings are listed.
In a 13-page decision, Superior Court Judge Jay Adleman ruled that Lake statements that Richer cited as defamatory were provable as false before a jury, based on evidence provided to the court. https://t.co/PMhnFGXVKk by @brahmresnik
Kari Lake thought, just like Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump, that she could defame and lie about an elections official on social media, at rallies, and on TV without consequences. She thought wrong. Story... https://t.co/sbExZENYpQ
BREAKING: Just like Rudy, Kari Lake is now finding out lies about elections officials have consequences. Her lawyers argued that her lies were just “imaginative expression or rhetorical hyperbole.” The judge didn’t buy it. Story …https://t.co/5KLTXyY0fT
Kari Lake can appeal the court's decision. In the meantime, Richer's team is moving forward with discovery, as ordered. https://t.co/zJhkuT4hoJ
BREAKING Maricopa County judge DENIES motion by @KariLake to dismiss defamation suit brought by Maricopa County Recorder @stephen_richer. https://t.co/CVcARYZGpu
Court: Kari Lake did not satisfy burden of establishing prima facie proof that Stephen Richer initiated the defamation lawsuit as a means of deterring the lawful exercise of free expression. Background: https://t.co/ehvpt7r2ZH https://t.co/ODEAnZLUEg
Court: Kari Lake seemingly argues that because a prior trial court did not identify the election contest as frivolous, Stephen Richer cannot now pursue his defamation case. "In the Court's view, this attenuated assertion does not square with prevailing Arizona law." https://t.co/5oTqPlb07G
NEW: Maricopa County judge allows Stephen Richer’s defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake to move forward. Background: https://t.co/ehvpt7r2ZH https://t.co/29Ot4sWNyU
Type in Kari Lake in the search bar, if you wish to follow along with today’s court proceedings. (Regarding @stephen_richer’s unconstitutional assault on Kari’s First Amendment Rights) Court Calendar - Today's Hearings https://t.co/vTSgF4RNny
BREAKING: After Cochise County Supervisors Indicted for Fighting to Secure Elections, AZ State Rep Alex Kolodin Files Bar Complaint Against County Attorney for Violating Attorney-Client Privilege – COMPLAINT INCLUDED https://t.co/CMNTuAvmTJ