Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Kari Lake for False Election Accusations

PHOENIX — Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has filed a defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake, a former Phoenix television news anchor and unsuccessful 2022 Arizona gubernatorial candidate. Richer alleges that Lake has falsely accused him of stealing the election away from her by tampering with ballot printers and injecting fake ballots into the stream.

Richer claims that Lake’s accusations have caused him to suffer a variety of damages, including police patrols, spending thousands of dollars on home security upgrades, and watching his political career prospects diminish. In an op-ed in The Arizona Republic, Richer wrote, “Rather than accept political defeat, rather than get a new job, she has sought to undermine confidence in our elections and has mobilized millions of her followers against me.”

The lawsuit seeks damages for the harm caused by Lake’s false accusations, as well as an injunction to prevent her from making further false statements. Richer’s attorney, Kory Langhofer, said in a statement, “Mr. Richer has been forced to take this action to protect his reputation and to hold accountable those who have recklessly and maliciously spread false and defamatory statements about him.”

Lake has not responded to the lawsuit, but her campaign spokesperson said in a statement, “Kari Lake and her campaign are committed to uncovering the truth about the 2020 election and will continue to do so.”

The case is expected to be heard in Maricopa County Superior Court. Richer is seeking damages for the harm caused by Lake’s false accusations, as well as an injunction to prevent her from making further false statements. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of political discourse in Arizona.