Turning Point Leader Pleads Guilty to Election Fraud Attempt
Former Arizona state legislator Austin Smith pleaded guilty to charges related to forging over 100 signatures on his reelection petitions. Smith admitted to signing a deceased person’s name and attempting to deceive the Secretary of State’s Office by filing petitions with forged signatures. The plea agreement allows Smith to potentially avoid a felony conviction, but he will face probation, a fine, and a five-year ban from public office, pending the sentencing judge’s decision. Despite initially denying the accusations, Smith resigned from his position at Turning Point Action around the time of the allegations, but may have been rehired.
John Q. Hosedrinker