A defamation case The settlement was brought by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer against Kari Lake, representatives from both sides confirmed to NBC News on Sunday.
Richer, Republican, filed a lawsuit In June 2023, Lake said she had falsely accused him of “intentionally sabotaging the election” after she lost the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race. Richer’s office is tasked with maintaining voter records and works with Maricopa County Elections to administer the election. Richer sought unspecified amounts of nominal, compensatory and punitive damages.
“As a result of Defendants’ deliberate and malicious lies, Richer and his family have been the targets of threats of violence and even death, and their lives have been turned upside down,” Richer’s team said in the 2023 lawsuit. damages of groups adapted to two Lakes.
Neither the Richer nor Lake teams released details of the settlement previously reported By The Washington Post.
Lake’s attorney, Dennis Wilenchik, said, “We are pleased that the case has been resolved,” noting that the terms of the settlement are “confidential.” It is not uncommon for settlement terms to remain secret.
“The matter has been resolved and resolved to the satisfaction of both parties,” said Richer’s attorney, who declined to share further details.
Lake is an ardent Trump ally made false claims That he won the 2022 gubernatorial election and that it was stolen from him. Instead, Democrat Katie Hobbs narrowly won election.
After the election, Lake falsely accused Richer of “sabotaging” Election Day.
In March, Lake decided not to object to the obligation lawsuit, X said in a statement at the time that “by participating in this lawsuit, it will only serve to legitimize this perversion of our legal system and allow bad actors to interfere in our upcoming elections.”
Lake launched a Senate bid after losing to Hobbs, but he was dwas defeated by Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego earlier this month. Richer in July was defeated by state Rep. Justin Heap in the Republican primary for county recorder. Associated Press He predicted the general election race for Heap, defeating Democrat Tim Stringham.