Republican Kari Lake, who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate this year, has settled a defamation case brought by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.
Lake also ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2022. After that failed campaign, she repeatedly claimed - without any evidence - that the election was rigged or stolen, and she stated several times that Richer, a fellow Republican, had a hand in what she called “fraud.”
Richer sued Lake for defamation in 2023, citing harassment and death threats against him.
Rather than defend her claims, Lake defaulted in the case, then spent months battling with Richer over the discovery process, as Richer sought evidence to help determine what Lake owed him in damages.
In a statement, Richer said that both sides are “satisfied with the result” of the settlement, but did not comment on the details, including what amount he was paid in damages.
Lake’s attorney said he couldn’t comment on the details of the settlement because of confidentiality, but noted “we are all pleased it’s over.”
Lake tried to fight her 2022 loss for the past two years. Her final appeal was exhausted earlier this month.
As for the 2024 U.S. Senate race, Lake still has not conceded to Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego.
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