House Oversight Committee launches investigation into audit role of Cyber Ninjas
Sep 24, 2021, 4:54 PM
Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan, center, is flanked by Ben Cotton, left, founder of digital security firm CyFIR, and Randy Pullen, right, the former Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, prior to the Arizona Senate Republicans hearing review of the 2020 presidential election results in Maricopa County at the Arizona Capitol, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform is investigating the role of lead contractor Cyber Ninjas in the audit of Maricopa County election results.
Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and Chairman Jamie Raskin, in a letter sent Thursday, requested testimony from Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan during an Oct. 7 hearing.
The committee alleges Logan has repeatedly refused to produce requested documents regarding the Florida-based contractor’s role in the audit.
Logan and other contractors unveiled their audit findings Friday, which produced results similar to the ones certified by state officials months ago.
“As a result of your obstruction, your participation in a Committee hearing is necessary for the Committee to advance the investigation of the questionable audit your company performed and to examine whether this audit is interfering with Americans’ right to vote free from partisan interference,” the letter said.
The committee said it was concerned about Cyber Ninjas’ role in the “highly unusual audit.”
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Cyber Ninjas was hired by the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate in March as the lead contractor for the audit despite no previous election review experience.
Senate President Karen Fann’s selection of the Florida-based firm’s $150,000 bid quickly drew scrutiny over Logan’s deleted Twitter account, which had activity supporting unfounded election conspiracy theories.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which consists of four Republicans and one Democrat, previously authorized two audits by independent contractors who are certified by the National Institute for Standards and Technology and the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission.
Those audits found no problems, but state Senate Republicans subpoenaed the county for access to the election materials at the urging of Trump supporters who have refused to accept President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Maricopa County and statewide.
The U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee sent Logan a letter in July requesting documentation about Cyber Ninjas’ role in the audit, how it’s being funded, and any possible connections between his Florida-based company former President Donald Trump or his surrogates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
