Kari Lake argues against sanctions filed by Katie Hobbs

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Kari Lake’s lawsuit, which challenges the results of Arizona’s gubernatorial election, was dismissed for failing to provide evidence.
• Governor-elect Katie Hobbs joined Maricopa County in filing for sanctions to compensate for expenses accumulated in defending against Lake’s suit.
• Lake’s legal team argued that the motion had “no basis” since the lawsuit was “brought in good faith.”

Kari Lake responded to sanctions filed against her by Maricopa County and Arizona Governor-elect Katie Hobbs, arguing that her lawsuit challenging the results of the gubernatorial election was “brought in good faith.”

Lake’s lawsuit claimed that she won the election by 400,000 to 500,000 votes, but she and her legal team did not show any proof.

Maricopa County Judge Peter Thompson dismissed Lake’s suit on Saturday, stating that Lake and her legal team failed to provide “clear and convincing” evidence that election officials were intentionally involved in any misconduct.

On Monday, Maricopa County filed sanctions against Lake and her legal team.

Writing on behalf of several county election officials, Deputy Attorney Thomas Liddy stated, “It is past time to end unfounded attacks on elections and unwarranted accusations against election officials. This matter was brought without any legitimate justification, let alone a substantial one.”

“Enough really is enough,” the filing concluded.

Shortly after, Hobbs joined the motion and requested more than $600,000 in compensation for fees and expenses she accumulated while defending against Lake’s suit. Her legal team cited Maricopa County’s motion in arguing that Lake’s “claims and the manner in which they were brought” were brought “without substantial justification.”

On Monday night, Lake’s legal team argued that the motion had “no basis in law or fact.” Attorney Bryan Blehm insisted that his client “put forth evidence in good faith that showed substantial support for her claims—claims which also remain of great public concern.”

Arizona law states that a party is entitled to “reasonable attorney fees” if the lawsuit against them was brought “without substantial justification” or filed “solely or primarily for delay or harassment.”

In dismissing Lake’s suit over the weekend, Thompson wrote that the court found “nothing to substantiate” Lake’s claims of intentional election misconduct.

Hobbs and election officials were given until 8 a.m. Monday morning to submit a “statement of cost” for court fees and expenses.

Source: Newsweek