Share this @internewscast.com

Kari Lake, a prominent election denier running for a Senate seat in Arizona, has decided not to contest her liability in a defamation suit brought by a Republican election official in Maricopa County.

Stephen Richer, who presided over the county’s 2022 election, filed a defamation claim against Lake in June alleging that she “repeatedly and falsely accused” him of causing her electoral defeat in the gubernatorial race won by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Lake’s legal team on Tuesday filed a default judgment motion that indicated she was not challenging her culpability. Lake instead seeks to dispute the damages.

She also said that Richer should have to turn over relevant medical and psychiatric records to show that his health was negatively impacted, as he detailed in his lawsuit. Lake requested a jury for the default judgment hearing.

Lake, a staunch Trump ally, has repeatedly pushed the lie that she won her 2022 bid for governor, and in doing so she took aim at Richer.

The lawsuit alleged that “Richer and his family have been the target of threats of violence, and even death, and have had their lives turned upside down” because of Lake’s “knowing and malicious falsehoods.”

The lawsuit pointed to a series of Lake’s election denialism claims, including when she falsely claimed that Richer had misprinted ballots “so that the tabulators would jam all day long.” In another instance, her campaign’s Twitter account claimed that Richer “sabotaged” Election Day.

Dozens of vote tabulation machines malfunctioned during Arizona’s 2022 election and would not accept ballots to read, which some conservatives falsely pointed to in espousing conspiracy theories. The root cause was ultimately traced to changes in ballot paper.

Lake railed against Richer’s lawsuit in a video statement posted to X on Tuesday.

“By participating in this lawsuit, it would only serve to legitimize this perversion of our legal system and allow bad actors to interfere in our upcoming election,” she said. “So I won’t be taking part.”

Richer replied to her on X by saying that means “she has conceded she has no evidence (truth is 100% quick defense to defamation), she has surrendered first amendment claims, and she has stopped fighting.”

“But I’m happy to start investigation on damages,” he added. “Reminder that she says this case looks a lot like Rudy’s and Trump’s — I’m fine with those final dollar figures.”

Longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani was ordered to pay $148 million last year in a defamation case over false claims he made about two former election workers in Georgia. Giuliani had previously chosen not to contest the claim.

Attorneys for Lake and Richer did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday night.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
PA man charged with attempting to make weapons of mass destruction after neighbor tip

Pennsylvania Resident Arrested After Neighbor’s Tip Leads to Foiled Weapons of Mass Destruction Plot

Authorities have apprehended a man in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as part of a…
Trump blasts Rob Reiner after famed director's killing, claims without evidence his death was political

Trump’s Controversial Claims: Unfounded Political Motives in Rob Reiner’s Tragic Passing Stir Debate

Rob Reiner, a well-known Hollywood figure and outspoken critic of former President…
Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeks immediate release from prison in New York appeals argument

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Fights for Freedom: Appeals for Immediate Release from New York Prison

NEW YORK — Attorneys representing Sean “Diddy” Combs have appealed to a…
Who were the victims in the Brown University shooting?

Unveiling the Identities: Victims of the Brown University Shooting Revealed

As the investigation into the recent attack unfolds, authorities are actively searching…
Trump blasts Rob Reiner after famed director's killing, claims without evidence his death was political

Trump’s Controversial Comments on Rob Reiner’s Death: Unfounded Political Claims Spark Outrage

Rob Reiner, a prominent figure in Hollywood, has become the latest target…
Brown University police chief placed on leave after deadly shooting as Trump admin opens investigation

Brown University Police Chief Suspended Amid Investigation into Fatal Shooting Linked to Trump Administration

Brown University has placed its police chief on administrative leave following a…
Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting incident, gunman also dead with no active threat: officials

Tragic Shooting at Delaware DMV: State Trooper and Gunman Confirmed Dead, No Ongoing Threat

A tragic event unfolded at a Division of Motor Vehicles building in…
3 Georgia jail escapees allegedly force Lyft driver to Florida before capture by authorities

Three Georgia Jailbreakers Allegedly Coerce Lyft Driver on Wild Ride to Florida Before Capture

In a swift turn of events, three inmates who had managed to…
South Austin, Chicago crime: Third suspect charged in beating of Larry Gilkey on CTA bus in 700-block of South Cicero Avenue

Third Suspect Charged in South Austin, Chicago CTA Bus Assault on Larry Gilkey

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police announced on Tuesday that a third individual…
What to watch over the holidays: Movies and shows of 2025

Top Must-Watch Movies & Shows to Brighten Your 2025 Holiday Season

The holiday season offers the perfect opportunity to dive into a variety…
4 indicted in foiled New Year's Eve terror bombing plot targeting Southern California businesses

Southern California Bombing Plot Thwarted: Four Indicted in New Year’s Eve Terror Scheme

In a significant development, four people have been federally charged in a…
Guilty verdicts in ISIS plot police say could have been 'the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history'

Unveiling the Guilty Verdicts: Inside the Foiled ISIS Plot That Almost Shook the UK

An ISIS-inspired terror scheme targeting the Jewish community in Manchester has heightened…