Rudy Giuliani receives indictment papers at birthday party after mocking Arizona attorney general
PHOENIX – Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Friday that Rudy Giuliani has been notified of his indictment on charges related to a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona.
The announcement came less than two hours after Giuliani insulted Mayes for not handing over his accusation in a social media post. The notice was delivered to Giuliani during his 80th birthday celebration in Palm Beach, Florida.
In a now-deleted post on X, Giuliani taunted Arizona authorities. “If Arizona authorities can’t find me by tomorrow morning; 1. They must reject the accusation; 2. They must admit they cannot count votes,” Giuliani posted Friday night. Accompanying the message was a photo of Giuliani smiling with six other people and balloons floating in the background.
An hour and fourteen minutes later, Mayes responded to Giuliani’s post by writing: “The last defendant was named moments ago. @RudyGiuliani, no one is above the law.”
Giuliani, 79, turns 80 on May 28 and was celebrating his early birthday in Palm Beach the night he was treated, according to social media activity. At the end of the night, “Happy Birthday To You” wasn’t the only song the former New York City mayor had to contend with.
The party was hosted by Caroline Wren, advisor to Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Ted Goodman, a spokesman for Giuliani, said Giuliani was not bothered by the confusion at the birthday party. “The mayor was not bothered by the decision to try to embarrass him during his 80th birthday party. He enjoyed an incredible night with hundreds of people who love him – from all walks of life – and we hope for full vindication soon,” Goodman said in a statement to NBC News.
Others indicted in the “false voters” case are further along in their legal proceedings. On Friday morning, former Trump lawyer John Eastman pleaded not guilty to charges related to a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona. On Tuesday morning, eleven other defendants will be indicted.
The “fake voter” scheme in Arizona is not the only controversy Giuliani has faced following efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In December 2023, Giuliani was sentenced to a $148 million verdict for defaming two Georgia election officials .
