Arizona GOP chair resigns after Kari Lake bribery allegation, says she threatened him

The chairman of the Arizona GOP resigned Wednesday after the release of an audiotape on which he offered Kari Lake, a top Trump ally and a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, lucrative job opportunities to take a two-year pause from politics.

“He’s got to resign. We can’t have someone who is corrupt and compromised running the Republican Party,” Lake told NBC News on Tuesday, referring to state chair Jeff DeWit.

DeWit posted a letter on X saying he was resigning "as Lake requested" — while also claiming her people had threatened to release another incriminating tape if he didn't comply.

"This morning, I was determined to fight for my position. However, a few hours ago I received an ultimatum from Lake's team: resign or face the release of a new, more damaging recording," his letter said. "I am truly unsure of its contents, but considering our numerous past open conversations as friends, I have decided not to take the risk. I am resigning as Lake requested," he added.

Lake advisers Caroline Wren and Garrett Ventry said in a statement on X that the "tape speaks for itself" and that "No one from the Kari Lake campaign threatened or blackmailed DeWit."

Lake posted on X that she'd be answering questions about the "bribery scandal" on the social media platform Rumble at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.

In the already released audio of the March 2023 conversation between DeWit and Lake posted online by Garret Lewis, a conservative talk show host in Arizona, the chair can be heard telling Lake, "There are very powerful people that want to keep you out."

"They're willing to put their money where their mouth is in a very big way," DeWit continued, calling it "an incredible opportunity."

The "they" are never identified,