An Arizona election official filed defamation claims against a former Grand Canyon State candidate for governor Thursday evening. Maricopa County Stephen Richer claims post-election online attacks, fueled by falsehoods, from the supporting Kari Lake have turned his life upside down.  

Richer said he waited as long as possible for Lake to stop spreading "harmful falsities" about the 2022 gubernatorial election. But as he watched her continue to raise funds off of claims she lost in court, linking him to election misdeeds, he lawyered up with the help of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. Attorneys listed on the complaint include Brandon Arnold, Lauren C. Andrews and David M. Alexander.