Judge Rebukes Giuliani for Claiming Political Bias Without Evidence in Arizona Election Case

An Arizona judge issued a sharp rebuke to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Thursday, rejecting his claim that he was being prosecuted for political reasons without providing any evidence to support the allegation. The ruling came in response to Giuliani’s request for information about the grand jurors who indicted him in connection with an alleged scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

In a two-page decision, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen addressed Giuliani’s claims that the grand jurors were selected based on their political affiliations. However, Cohen pointed out that Giuliani failed to provide any factual evidence to back up his assertions.

“He did not provide any allegations that would support this claim but rather, imagined a circumstance where grand jurors may have been summoned and selected based upon their purported political ideology,” Judge Cohen wrote. The judge also noted that during oral arguments, Giuliani’s legal counsel admitted there was no factual basis for the claim.

“In other words, he argued that he should be permitted to pursue the ‘theory’ because it had not been demonstrated that the theory was baseless,” Cohen wrote, making it clear that Giuliani’s argument was speculative at best and lacked any substantiation.

Cohen emphasized that such unsupported allegations need to be addressed swiftly to maintain public trust in the legal system. “There are times in which dispelling unsupported allegations becomes crucial in maintaining public trust and institutional credibility,” the judge explained. “During those times, addressing a claim promptly and clearly is essential. Hopefully, it fosters a more informed environment, one in which fact rather than speculation is.”

To further refute Giuliani’s claims, Cohen pointed out that the state had already provided an affidavit stating that political party affiliation information was not known or available to the grand jury commissioner or their representatives when selecting potential jurors for the grand jury. This affidavit directly contradicted Giuliani’s suggestion that the jurors were chosen based on their political beliefs.

Judge Cohen’s ruling is another blow to Giuliani, who has been facing multiple legal challenges related to his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election results. The former mayor and close ally of former President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that he is being unfairly targeted for political reasons, but his claims have so far failed to hold up in court.

The case in Arizona stems from Giuliani’s alleged involvement in efforts to challenge the election outcome in the state, part of a broader strategy employed by Trump allies to contest the 2020 election results in several key battleground states. Giuliani’s legal troubles continue to mount, as he faces similar charges and investigations in other jurisdictions.

Judge Cohen’s ruling highlights the importance of evidence-based claims in court proceedings, particularly when it comes to allegations of political bias. By dismissing Giuliani’s unsubstantiated arguments, the judge reaffirmed the need for factual support in legal disputes, especially in cases as high-profile as this one.