An Arizona man indicted on multiple election-related charges has been returned to Cochise County to face prosecution, Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Friday.
According to a statement from the Attorney General’s Office, Brent Thomas Kusama, also known as Brent Thomas Tadasi Kusama, was extradited from Hawaii after failing to respond to a court summons. Kusama had been indicted by a state grand jury in April 2023 on nine felony counts and two misdemeanor counts, including fraudulent schemes and practices, presentment of a false instrument for filing, and violations related to signing petitions.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2021 and April 2022, Kusama used falsified nomination petitions to qualify as a candidate for constable in Cochise County Precinct #5. The indictment claims that Kusama knowingly verified eight petitions containing forged or inaccurate voter information on March 28, 2022.
After being returned to Arizona, Kusama made his initial court appearance on Jan. 28, 2026. The court set a $10,000 bond and permitted him to live with family in California while awaiting trial. Judge Joel Larson also ordered Kusama to surrender his expired passport and refrain from obtaining a new one.
Kusama’s arraignment is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before the Cochise County Superior Court. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson, following an investigation by the Special Investigations Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For additional background, the Attorney General’s full press release can be viewed here.
