Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer on Tuesday asked the Arizona Supreme Court to lift the moratorium on a defamation lawsuit against former governor and current Senate candidate Kari Lake.
The court last week granted Lake a moratorium on the case while it considers whether to accept a challenge to Maricopa County Judge Jay Adleman's decision last month to allow the case to proceed. Richer and his attorney filed a counter-response to the petition.
“The petition should be dismissed and the administrative suspension should be lifted,” the response states.
Additionally, the case “does not meet the high standard for special measures relief,” and the court will provide guidance regarding recently amended state laws aimed at deterring lawsuits that censor or intimidate critics. He added that it was “insufficient as a means.”
Mr. Richer's spokesperson and lawyer declined to comment on the latest filing. Lake's attorney did not immediately respond to The Republic's request for comment.
A court stay temporarily halts discovery, the formal process by which attorneys exchange information about witnesses and evidence that may be presented to a jury at trial. Lake's lawyers tried to avoid that action in a December appearance in Maricopa County Superior Court.
The Arizona Court of Appeals previously said it would not consider Lake's special action motion. The appeal also challenged Adleman's decision to allow the case to proceed.
