An Arizona judge has dismissed a request from gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs for sanctions against gubernatorial opponent Kari Lake.
Although the sanctions were dismissed, the judge ordered Hobbes to cover the costs associated with maintaining expert witnesses in a two-day trial brought by Lake challenging the results of the November 2022 gubernatorial election. acknowledged a payment of just over $33,000 to
Lake lost to Hobbes by half a point in his run for governor of Arizona. As a result, Lake disputed the results, arguing that there were problems with ballot printers at several polling stations on Election Day as a result of deliberate fraud.
Arizona gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs imposes sanctions on former candidate Kari Lake
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson has ruled that the court has not provided clear and convincing evidence of the widespread misconduct that Lake claimed to have influenced the outcome of the 2022 general election. issued a judgment dismissing Lake’s challenge.
After the lawsuit, Hobbes filed a claim with the court seeking $36,990 in attorneys’ fees and expenses paid during the two-day trial, and also requested sanctions against Lake.
The court dismissed Hobbes’ request for sanctions against Lake, saying the allegations presented in the lawsuit were baseless and were not raised in bad faith.
Arizona Judge Rejects Republican Kari Lake’s Challenge to Gubernatorial Election
However, the costs associated with witness fees were almost always covered.
Hobbs testified at the court hearing and demanded a $5,900 refund from the retained expert.
She also filed a separate request for an expert witness fee of $22,451 and an additional $4,689.50 for reimbursement of the person designated to inspect the ballot.
According to court documents, vote inspectors were paid $565 per hour for 8.3 hours.
The court agreed to refund Hobbs $33,040.50.
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It also ordered interest to accrue at an annual rate of 7.5% until paid in full.
Lake could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.