Ex-Arizona lawmaker who questioned election integrity to be sentenced for using forged signatures
ABC News••nation
Key Points:
- Former Arizona Republican lawmaker Austin Smith, who questioned the integrity of the state's elections and led Turning Point Action, is scheduled for sentencing after pleading guilty to using forged signatures on nominating petitions for the 2024 primary election.
- Smith admitted to attempting fraudulent schemes and forging a deceased woman's signature, leading to his resignation from both his legislative seat and leadership role at Turning Point Action.
- His plea deal includes probation, a $5,000 fine, and a five-year ban from running for public office.
- Smith previously framed the allegations as a Democratic attack but withdrew from his reelection campaign to avoid legal costs.
- He had supported a Republican-backed review of the 2020 Maricopa County election and proposed banning voting
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