Ex-Arizona GOP lawmaker indicted for allegedly faking signatures on his nominating petitions

PHOENIX – A former Arizona Republican lawmaker was formally charged last week for allegedly fabricating signatures on his 2024 nominating petitions.

A state grand jury indicted Austin Smith on 14 counts related to allegedly fraudulent petitions on June 2.

Smith served District 29, which includes Surprise and other parts of the West Valley, in the state House for one term.

Austin Smith dropped 2024 reelection bid amid allegations

He dropped his reelection bid in April 2024 after a lawsuit was filed challenging the signatures on the petitions he submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

Smith now faces four felony and nine misdemeanors charges related to his nominating petitions.

The most serious charge is for fraudulent schemes and practices, a class 5 felony. He also was indicted on three counts of presentment of false instrument for filing, a class 6 felony.

The misdemeanor charges are for signing other people’s names on the petitions.

In April, a man who circulated petitions for the Arizona abortion rights measure last year was indicted for similar allegations.

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