In a significant development within the criminal investigation aimed at unraveling attempts to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory, Arizona officials have issued a subpoena to a key figure from the Trump 2020 campaign, according to two individuals with knowledge of the situation. This individual, Mike Roman, finds himself not only entangled in this inquiry but also stands as a co-defendant alongside Donald Trump in the Georgia election subversion case. The probe, under the stewardship of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, is exploring separate state-level concerns.
As the investigation progresses, Attorney General Mayes is reportedly on the cusp of deciding whether to press criminal charges. This development comes as Arizona prosecutors have recently intensified their efforts, dispatching numerous grand jury subpoenas to associates linked to the campaign to contest the 2020 presidential election results. This move signals an acceleration of the investigation as the 2024 presidential race looms, potentially setting the stage for another showdown between Trump and Biden.
The focus of Mayes’ investigation has primarily been on the 11 counterfeit pro-Trump electors from Arizona and the orchestrators of this scheme. However, sources indicate that the probe is also examining individuals connected to Trump’s national campaign operations. Mayes has described the investigation as “robust” and “a serious matter,” emphasizing her commitment to conducting a thorough inquiry that serves justice not only for Arizonans but for the nation as a whole.
A spokesperson for the Arizona attorney general’s office has opted not to comment on the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, ABC News first reported Mike Roman’s subpoena, highlighting the expanding scope of the inquiry.
Roman’s legal representative has chosen not to issue any statements regarding the matter. In related developments, prosecutors in Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada have already filed criminal charges against several individuals who falsely represented themselves as pro-Trump electors. Investigations of a similar nature are underway in Wisconsin, further underscoring the widespread legal scrutiny following the 2020 election.
Among those recently interviewed by Arizona prosecutors is Kenneth Chesebro, a pro-Trump attorney. Identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal indictment led by special counsel Jack Smith, Chesebro is alleged to have played a pivotal role in the fake electors plot. Having pleaded guilty in Georgia’s extensive racketeering case, Chesebro has also cooperated with prosecutors from various states investigating the scheme.
Documents previously acquired by CNN, now in the hands of prosecutors across multiple states, reveal that Chesebro worked in close collaboration with Roman on the fake electors plot in the days leading up to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. This ongoing investigation continues to unravel the complex web of efforts aimed at contesting the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.