An audio recording obtained by DailyMail.com reveals the extraordinary moment when what appears to be Arizona's top Republican official tried to bribe populist firebrand Kari Lake not to run in the state's Senate race.

Jeff DeWit, 51, chair of the Arizona Republican Party, can be heard asking Lake, a close ally of Donald Trump, to name her price to stay out of politics for two years.

'There are very powerful people who want to keep you out,' he tells her in a conversation recorded at the start of March last year.

DeWit tells Lake, 54, one of the most public faces of the former president's MAGA movement and a woman frequently spoken of as a 2024 vice-presidential pick, that he thinks Trump will lose and it is time to make way for someone else.

After asking her not to mention the conversation to anyone, he makes his first offer.


So the ask I got today from back east was: "Is there any companies out there or something that could just put her on the payroll to keep her out?’

Lake reacts with indignation.

'This is about defeating Trump and I think that's a bad, bad thing for our country,' she said.

Later, DeWit, who was chief operating officer on the Trump's 2020 campaign frames it differently.

'Just say, is there a number at which....' he begins.

Lake cut in: 'I can be bought? That's what it's about.

'You can take a pause for a couple of years. You can go right back to what you're doing.'

Lake repeatedly rebuffs him and says she wouldn't do it for a billion dollars.

'This is not about money, it's about our country,' she says.

Lake described what happened to an audience at the Conservative Political Action Committee last year. 'They called me before and said I got to talk to you in person. It's can't be done over the phone,' she said, as she revealed how an unnamed person had tried to buy her off

Two sources confirmed DeWit's identity as the speaker.

He and his press secretary did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Lake's office also did not respond.

At the time of their conversation, Lake was publicly mulling a run for the U.S. Senate.

And the episode reveals the tensions triggered after she refused to accept defeat in the 2022 Arizona governor race.

She emerged as a national figure, becoming a regular on Fox News as she echoed Trump's election denialism. That put her at odds with the more traditional wing of the Republican Party who feared a new breed of Trump loyalist may alienate big donors.

In October, she announced her run.

Lake has previously discussed the extraordinary effort to keep her out of the race, but never revealed who was behind it.

On Monday, Arizona talk show host Garret Lewis named DeWit, who was elected chairman of the party in January last year.

He was state treasurer of the party before being appointed by Trump to be NASA's chief financial officer.

Arizona party officials quickly called for him to step down as news of his offer to Lake spread.

Lake is frequently talked about as possible vice presidential pick for Trump's 2024 ticket

'If this is, in fact, true, I'm asking AZGOP Chairman Jeff DeWit to resign." said Maricopa County Republican Committee Chairman Craig Berland.

It is latest in a string of scandals to hit state Republican Parties. Earlier this month the Florida party ousted its chairman after the police said he was being investigated for sexual assault.

The new 10-minute audio clip includes DeWit asking for secrecy.

'If you say no, its fine, it's your choice, don't tell people,' he tells Lake.

Later he sets out the rationale behind the offer.

'I think what it really comes down to for a lot of people, it’s not about like control or agenda,' he says. 'It's about the ability to raise money to win.'

Lake sticks to her guns.

'I don't want to make a deal with these kinds of people. This is a hill worth dyingon,' she said.

'I'm not ... if they're gonna steal the election to make me and our movement go away. I'm not letting them do that.

'I owe it to the people of Arizona to carry their torch and voice.'

Lake has been on the campaign trail for Trump during the past month, spending time in Iowa and New Hampshire to encourage supporters to vote. She is seen here at a rally in Rochester, new Hampshire, on Sunday

Lake revealed the approach days after it happened. She used an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference to describe how someone had shown up at her door.

'They called me before and said I got to talk to you in person. It's can't be done over the phone,' she said.

She described being asked to name her price for getting out of politics for two years.

'Now I'm going to be honest, at that very moment. I wanted to sic my dog on him,' she told the audience in Orlando Florida.

'But I have a pug and it wasn't gonna happen.'

Stunning? Not at all. It's what's been going on with political insiders for decades, if not centuries. Politicians in general, regardless of which letter follows their names, could walk under a rattlesnake's belly while wearing an Abe Lincoln stovepipe hat. They're the lowest of the low, and they're more slimy than the scum on a Louisiana bayou! In the words of Mark Twain- - - -"Dog ticks, Bed ticks, an Politics- - - -they're all a bunch of parasites!"

Does it matter? Az is a one party consent state.

Do you think he would have had the conversation if he knew he was going to be recorded? He didn't even want to have the conversation over the phone.

Dude stepped on his dick. Be interesting if he faces any consequences or just gets promoted into a beltway job.

Yes, it matters, Hillary.

Az has laws.

Again, Az is a one party consent state regarding recording of conversations. <- Laws.

Well, go change them...

What is your problem with telling someone they will be recorded for the record?

Seems odd.

Well, go change them...

What is your problem with telling someone they will be recorded for the record?

Seems odd.

That's about the most naive thing I've ever read on the fire.

Seems Steve has it right. One party consent

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ftsa&q=AZ+law+on+recording+conversations&ia=web

Again, Az is a one party consent state regarding recording of conversations. <- Laws.

That's about the most naive thing I've ever read on the fire.

If you are intent on catching the dirty actors in politics, the absolute worst way to do it is to tell them they're being recorded and/or give them the option of a choice. You think they're stupid?

I should be more surprised than I am.

I bet this conversation happens all the time in national, state and local politics.

So that's the bigger 'sin'. Recording a conversation that you are a party to where you are offered a bribe. Not the bribe offer?

In-Fucing-credable.

Okay, let's get back to the point.

The head of the Republican party in AZ was trying to bribe Kari Lake not to run. Lake has incontrovertible proof of it.

What is the opinion of the fire on this matter and how will it all play out.

(and please for the love of all that's good don't get hung up on my use of the word 'incontrovertible'.)

What is the opinion of the fire on this matter and how will it all play out.

But I'm not a JD

I am not convinced you can even read.

How did I respond?

I'd like to know who the people are behind the curtain that sent Jeff DeWitt on this mission.

Why?

You could have rooted them out before you and Svevlanka ever became a thing...

Unless she told him she was recording, she has nothing...

Per the state laws of az.



It is literally a wag the dog moment.



But I'm not a JD

I'd like to know who the people are behind the curtain that sent Jeff DeWitt on this mission.

WTF does that even mean?



Single party state means that only one person has to know the conversation is being recorded - that would be Kari Lake. What she did was perfectly legal and useful in a court of law, so long as they can identify the second party.

Okay, let's get back to the point.

The head of the Republican party in AZ was trying to bribe Kari Lake not to run. Lake has incontrovertible proof of it.

What is the opinion of the fire on this matter and how will it all play out.

(and please for the love of all that's good don't get hung up on my use of the word 'incontrovertible'.)

Steve,

Have you read the law?

What does that mean?

So, when the "Rs" were in charge it was cool?

Unless she told him she was recording, she has nothing...

Per the state laws of az.



It is literally a wag the dog moment.



But I'm not a JD

He will lose his position.

The remaining leaders will pretend it was one bad apple rather than an endemic part of the political culture in the country.

The show will go on but with a different actor as lead.

I'd like to know who the people are behind the curtain that sent Jeff DeWitt on this mission.

What??????????

It has been stated over and over that Az is a one party consent state. Lake is the one party to give consent.

Unless these statements are incorrect. Lake did everything perfectly appropriately.

It is wise to remember that every person walking in America today has an audio/video recorder in their pocket.

I suspect it happens from school board elections and on up the chain.

Well, go change them...

What is your problem with telling someone they will be recorded for the record?

Seems odd.

Wait I thought you were concerned that the recording was lawful?

No?

Leftist style tossing stuff against the wall to see what sticks then moving the goalposts.

What a POS you are.

Stunning? Not at all. It's what's been going on with political insiders for decades, if not centuries. Politicians in general, regardless of which letter follows their names, could walk under a rattlesnake's belly while wearing an Abe Lincoln stovepipe hat. They're the lowest of the low, and they're more slimy than the scum on a Louisiana bayou! In the words of Mark Twain- - - -"Dog ticks, Bed ticks, and Politics- - - -they're all a bunch of parasites!"

I'd like to know who the people are behind the curtain that sent Jeff DeWitt on this mission.

Again, have you read the law?

Probably be passed off as an ai deepfake. Whether it is or not, who knows. That’s the latest thing politicians use to get out of stuff.

You're probably right. Except there might be more than one witness.

Wow

What would be huge is if Jag could prove Trump is the President.

My ancestors walked the Trail of Tears after being betrayed by Andrew Jackson. How did your ancestors who swung through the trees in the jungle make out?

C’mon man…

Let AZ take care of AZ issues, if they are capable.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3012
Exemptions

The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:


9. The interception of any wire, electronic or oral communication by any person, if the interception is effected with the consent of a party to the communication or a person who is present during the communication, or the installation of a pen register or trap and trace device with the consent of a user or subscriber to the service.

Now let's please stop.

no, it's never been cool to offer bribes to stop a candidate.

not sure if it's ever been cool to record a conversation with only the one party knowing about it, but that is the reality in some jurisdictions. In others it may be illegal or at least inadmissible in legal proceedings.

pretty easy it would seem, in those areas where it's allowed, for it to be abused by setting someone up to be entrapped.

Gonna be interesting to watch the next year.


Thing of it is, Sycamore and others of his ilk approve of these and other methods these schitbags use.

Do you think that?

Im convinced your a bot. That or you are terrible at having a conversation

You're probably right. Except there might be more than one witness.

Phone records, tracking might beat the AI lie..

Notice, he didn't deny the last election wasn't stolen. What he didn't say, says volumes.
. . .
kwg

. . .

I think this just cemented Kari's future position as the VP in the Trump administration.

kwg

This is one helluva audition tape for Trump's V-P pick....

Has Lake commented on it yet? Given her recent endorsements she probably would rather this not go public. Not to mention she’s going to be know as a conversation recorder.

Politicians should have a transmitter or recorder implanted in their vocal cords. All information publicly disclosed.

Im convinced your a bot. That or you are terrible at having a conversation

There’s no one I can think of to put my trust in for my VP were I to choose.

How would recording a f ucking criminal doing criminal things be an issue exactly?

“surround myself only with the best and most serious people” – adding: “We want top-of-the-line professionals.”

Jeffrey James DeWit[1] (born December 21, 1972) is an American businessman and politician who is serving as the Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, DeWit became the State Treasurer of Arizona in 2015, succeeding Doug Ducey. DeWit said in 2016 that he did not plan to seek re-election in 2018. In 2017, President Trump nominated him to be chief financial officer of NASA.[2] His nomination as chief financial officer of NASA was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2018. He resigned from NASA in February 2020 and joined Trump's 2020 campaign later that year.

in some jurisdictions one has an expectation of not being recorded without their consent. Whether they are involved in something criminal or not. Unless a warrant for it has been issued by a judge.

therefor, in some places it's an issue in legal proceedings regardless of whether you or I or the Popo are doing the recording

Unless she told him she was recording, she has nothing...

Per the state laws of az.



It is literally a wag the dog moment.



But I'm not a JD

Your expectations don’t trump the law. This isn’t about the police conducting illegal surveillance. It’s about ordinary people who choose to record their interaction with others. They’re not required to get your consent, whether it’s a person audio recording you or a store using a CCTV recorder. Some may give the courtesy of notifying you you’re being recorded (as an additional theft deterrrent), but they’re not required to obtain your consent.

Same reason you can’t stop someone from filming you in a public place, and a cop can’t stop you from filming him during a traffic stop.

California Recording Law Summary:

California’s principle recording law (Cal. Penal Code § 632.) stipulates that it is a two-party consent state. In California, it is a criminal offense to use any device to record communications, whether they’re wire, oral or electronic, without the consent of everyone taking part in the communication. This means that in California you are not legally allowed to record a conversation you are taking part in unless all parties are in agreement. However, there are a few exceptions such as:

Public conversations with no expectation of privacy
Within government proceedings that are open to the public
Recording certain crimes

California also has a wiretapping law (Cal. Penal Code § 632.) which can result in criminal prosecution for the unauthorized recording of a phone line (or other media).

The recording may not mean a thing in court but it is entirely different in the minds of everyone that hears it.

Dude!

is that Flake talking to her? She mentioned "Jeff"

Ah, both of us typing at same time. DeWitt.

Yes, it matters, Hillary.

Az has laws.

Yep, he stepped on his dick big time. Bastard needs a long prison sentence, or a long drop on a short rope.

He does. But he's just the errand boy.

What we really want to know, is who is he working for "back east".

Save some of that rope ..........

She better be careful. First attempt is usually the carrot. The second is a stick.

How so?

My expectations, where I live, are that the other party involved follows the law. Anyone I'm talking to on the phone must let me know I'm being recorded, therefor the message at the beginning of most business calls to a customer service dept.

you may want to check out more info on where you live. Most places, when in public you are correct for the most part. Private conversations are different in some jurisdictions. And private conversations, as in the one between Lake and Dewitt, are what I've been discussing here. What happens in public is.........well.........public

Just how it is here in Cali:.

https://recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/california-recording-laws/


Here's a map of the US if you're interested. I'm not going to look up Canada as that's not under discussion here

https://recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/

Gee, I guess the Republicans want to win.

Recording this conversation and 'leaking it' may well prove to pretty good life insurance for Kari.

Just saying....

If you read the post you would realize he said this is too sensitive to say over the phone so apparently this was a face to face meeting not a phone call.

You got it backwards 45. He said "too sensitive to say over the phone" BECAUSE they were on the phone.

It sounded really really scripted on both sides.

If it was a phone call Lake recorded it.


She was a dem you know

but its all good now....in fact she should be vp....bob

She can do a lot more good in the Senate.

If you read the post you would realize he said this is too sensitive to say over the phone so apparently this was a face to face meeting not a phone call. It matters not what the law says about recording conversations, what matters is he said it and this reinforces what most of us think about how politics work in this country. “Back east” no doubt refers to Republican Party leadership. Could be one of several people or a group of people who thought this was a good idea.

Seven pages of comments and most of them discuss the legality of what Kari Lake did, not the sinister way politics are conducted.

Pretty revealing about how our institutions are under the control of the organized banking and billionaire class.

Pretty revealing about how our institutions are under the control of the organized banking and billionaire class.

Poorly, repeatedly.

The recording may not mean a thing in court but it is entirely different in the minds of everyone that hears it.

I dont care who you are that's friggen funny... J may be cubed but his IQ was halved...

This is where Im at with this. How in the holy hell are so many of you debating the legality of this? Who cares. What should matter to us all is how corrupt the establishment is and the lengths these evil bastards are going to, to keep Trump out of office. WTF fellas? Too many people with their heads up their asses for this problem to ever get fixed

So, it wasn't a telephone call, it was person to person as she states on that video.