John Eastmanformer lawyer of the former president donald trumppleaded not guilty on Friday to charges related to a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona.
Eastman is among more than a dozen Trump allies who were charged in the state last monthincluding former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump’s former lawyer Rudy Giuliani and former Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn.
Outside court after his arraignment, Eastman said, “I, of course, have pleaded not guilty. I have had no communication with voters in Arizona, no involvement in any Arizona election litigation or legislative hearings. And I am confident that with the laws faithfully applied, I will be completely exonerated at the end of this process.”
Eastman is the first of the group to plead not guilty. He is also Trump’s co-defendant in a separate case in Georgia, where prosecutors allege Trump worked with lawyers and aides to overturn the 2020 presidential election there.
Eastman too declared himself innocent in the case of Georgia.
Following the 2020 presidential election, Eastman allegedly attempted to overturn the election results in Arizona by calling an alternative slate of electors to the electoral college. He was also involved in crafting a plan to ensure that Congress would not certify the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021.
Eastman faces professional repercussions for his conduct, including possible expulsion. In March, a California judge recommended that he be expelled in the State.
Next week, ten of the additional defendants in the Arizona case are expected to be indicted.
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
