Turning Point Staffer & Former GOP Lawmaker Indicted in Petition Forgery Case
Former Arizona lawmaker Austin Smith, who previously worked for Turning Point Action — the political arm founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk — has pleaded guilty in a criminal case involving forged signatures on his 2024 campaign petitions.
Smith entered the plea on November 17, 2025, admitting to:
Attempted fraudulent schemes and practices
Illegal signing of an election petition
As part of the plea, prosecutors say Smith signed a deceased woman’s name and submitted petitions he knew contained forged signatures while trying to qualify for the GOP primary ballot in March 2024.
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The guilty plea follows a 14-count indictment earlier this year, which included multiple felony charges tied to forged voter signatures. After the allegations surfaced, Smith dropped his reelection bid and left his role with Turning Point Action, a group that frequently promotes “election integrity.”
Under the agreement, Smith faces probation, a minimum $5,500 fine, and a five-year ban on seeking public office in Arizona. Sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
The case marks a striking reversal for a politician who publicly pushed claims of voter fraud—now admitting to fraud in his own campaign.
This is a developing story.