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Nevada judge dismisses case against 2020 fake electors
A Nevada judge has dismissed the case against six Republican electors accused of submitting a false certificate to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The defendants, including Michael McDonald and Jesse Law, were charged by Attorney General Aaron Ford with forgery and offering a false instrument for filing or record.
Judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the electors intended to defraud government officials. The judge noted that the defendants openly announced their actions and purpose, which weighed against an inference of fraudulent intent. Additionally, the court found that the state had failed to disclose exculpatory evidence to the grand jury.
The defense argued that the submission of the certificate was “political theater” intended to preserve their rights to challenge the election results rather than an attempt to deceive. Prosecutors had contended the documents were meant to be mistaken for legitimate electoral votes for Vice President Mike Pence to count on January 6, 2021.
Attorney General Ford’s office has announced plans to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court. This dismissal follows similar legal setbacks in other swing states, including Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia.
Entities
Aaron Ford · Jesse Law · Mary Kay Holthus · Michael McDonald · Nevada · Nevada Republican Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 12 SOURCES] The defendants argued the certificate submission was political theater intended to preserve their rights to challenge results. larongenow.com · wtop.com · krmg.com · battlefordsnow.com · cfjctoday.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] A judge dismissed the case against six Nevada Republicans accused of submitting a false electoral certificate in 2020. larongenow.com · wtop.com · krmg.com · battlefordsnow.com · cfjctoday.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The six defendants include Michael McDonald and Jesse Law. larongenow.com · wtop.com · krmg.com · battlefordsnow.com · cfjctoday.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Attorney General Aaron Ford brought charges of forgery and offering a false instrument for filing or record. larongenow.com · wtop.com · krmg.com · battlefordsnow.com · cfjctoday.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Joe Biden won the state of Nevada by more than 30,000 votes in the 2020 election. larongenow.com · wtop.com · krmg.com · battlefordsnow.com · cfjctoday.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Prosecutors contended the defendants intended for the documents to be mistaken for actual electoral votes. larongenow.com · wtop.com · krmg.com · battlefordsnow.com · cfjctoday.com · +7 more