AZ GOP Chairman Lines to Fontes: Destruction of Evidence Must Stop
The Arizona Republican Party objects in the strongest possible terms to the deliberate, premeditated destruction of evidence by Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes.After voting irregularities were discovered during the early voting period, the Arizona Republican Party sent a formal, written request to all county recorders in Arizona, including Fontes, to preserve all evidence of such irregularities. These irregularities include the creation of so-called “emergency voting centers” when no emergency existed; and an inconsistent method for rehabilitating early ballots.Specifically, the Arizona Republican Party notified Fontes of these irregularities, that there may be a legal challenge based on these irregularities and inconsistencies, and that the law, therefore, required the county recorders to set aside the disputed ballots to allow the legal process to play out in due course.Instead, Fontes intentionally destroyed the evidence. He directed his office to mix the disputed ballots in with the undisputed ballots—thereby ensuring that there could be no review of voting irregularities. Fontes’s decision was made deliberately, after receiving the letter from the Arizona Republican Party and being informed of his legal duty to preserve evidence.Chairman Jonathan Lines issued the following statement: “Adrian Fontes intentionally put himself above the law and the judicial process. Such a man cannot be trusted to administer elections in Arizona. We are reviewing all legal options at this time and will continue to protect the rights of every legal voter in Arizona.”MEDIA ADVISORY: AZ GOP Press Conference Regarding Ongoing LitigationPHOENIX — Arizona Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Lines and Arizona Republican Party attorney Kory Langhofer today will speak to the press regarding today's hearing.WHO: AZ GOP Chairman Jonathan Lines and Attorney Kory LanghoferWHAT: Press conference regarding today's hearingWHERE: Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County; 101 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003WHEN: Today, Friday November 9, 2018 at 1:30pm
