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Arizona Ex-Representative Austin Smith Sentenced for Forging Election Petition

The court imposed probation, a fine, a five-year bar from public office.

Overview

  • Smith received two years of probation, a $5,500 fine and a five-year prohibition on seeking public office, according to Tuesday's sentencing reports.
  • He pleaded guilty in November to attempted fraudulent schemes and illegal signing of election petitions.
  • Prosecutors said he tried to qualify for the 2024 primary with forged signatures, including the name of a deceased woman.
  • He dropped his reelection bid in April 2024 after questions about his nominating petitions and resigned a leadership role at Turning Point Action.
  • The case involved a figure who backed efforts to challenge Maricopa County’s 2020 results and promoted claims of widespread election wrongdoing.