Ex-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani pleads not guilty to 9 felony charges in role to overturn Arizona elections

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and lawyer for ex-president Donald Trump, has pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges on Tuesday, May 21.

These charges are related to his efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Arizona to Democrat Joe Biden. His trial is scheduled for October, just before the presidential election.

Rudy Giuliani and others arraigned on conspiracy, forgery, and fraud charges

Giuliani, who is turning 80 later this month, appeared remotely for an arraignment held in a Phoenix courtroom, according to the Associated Press.

Former Arizona Republican Party chair Kelli Ward and at least 11 other individuals were also arraigned on Tuesday.

They stand accused of conspiracy, forgery, and fraud charges. Ward and nine others have pleaded not guilty so far.

Giuliani stated that he did not have an attorney at the time but would acquire one.

When asked by the court if he needed counsel appointed for the arraignment, he responded, "No, no, I think I am capable of handling it myself.”

In the election interference case, former president and current presumed Republican nominee for the 2024 election, Donald Trump, was not charged but was referred to by prosecutors as an unindicted co-conspirator.

Rudy Giuliani served notice of indictment at 80th birthday party

Arizona prosecutors spent weeks trying to track down Giuliani to serve the indictment and eventually found him based on some of his podcasts.

Rudy Giuliani was ordered to post a $10,000 bond after he avoided efforts by the state to serve him with a summons over the past week.

"I have a fair number of threats including death threats, and I don’t have security anymore…so I have very strict rules about who gets up and who doesn’t," Giuliani said.

He was served with the notice of his indictment on Friday in Palm Beach, Florida, at his 80th birthday party hosted by a GOP operative CNN.

Two agents served papers to Giuliani during his birthday bash party in the late hours, “They stormed him on his way out,” the attendee said, adding that “many of the guests were visibly upset.”

“The mayor was unfazed by the decision to try and embarrass him during his 80th birthday party," Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani told the outlet.

"He enjoyed an incredible evening with hundreds of people who love him—from all walks of life — and we look forward to full vindication soon,” the spokesperson added.

“If Arizona authorities can’t find me by tomorrow morning,” Giuliani posted a taunting tweet on X on Friday.

Along with a photo of himself surrounded by smiling friends, he wrote in a now-deleted tweet, “1. They must dismiss the indictment; 2. They must concede they can’t count votes.”

Internet is angry over Rudy Giuliani’s 'legal harassment'

Netizens mostly seemed to side with Giuliani saying that he was a victim of "legal harassment."

One user wrote, “A defiant stance! Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City Mayor and close ally of Donald Trump, has pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges related to election interference in Arizona, setting the stage for a high-profile trial in October.”

Another commented, “yeah, this is more political bias in the judicial system. They have no standing, they have no case and this will be tossed shortly. This is just legal harassment.”

“Once the smoke clears and legitimate people regain power it’s going to be retribution time,” wrote another.

"There isn't a better way to make everyone think the Arizona election wasn't secure than to try to prosecute the people pointing out the faults in the election. Just my two cents," one more wrote.

“Wow, that’s wild. Didn’t expect to see Giuliani in this kind of trouble. Guess we’ll see how it all plays out in court,” added another user.

“It’s all about power. They don’t care anymore if we think the fraud happened. They are simply punishing anyone who stands up against them,” one more commented.

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