The company Cyber Ninjas, which controversially reviewed 2020 presidential election ballots in Maricopa County, Arizona, announced Thursday that it is “shutting down.”

A report released by election officials in Maricopa County found the recount of ballots in the county was based on around 80 misleading, inaccurate, or outright false claims made by GOP lawmakers and multiple different firms, including Cyber Ninjas.

The firm previously had no election review experience but was hired by Arizona GOP senators. In addition, the company now faces a sanction of a compelling $50,000 in fees per day beginning Friday to force the release of its records.

The so-called closure is an attempt to avoid accountability. However, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah is not so convinced. The judge said he could also place the fine on key individuals if the company refuses to turn over documents related to a public records request by an Arizona news outlet, according to AP News.

The company claims it cannot afford to go through the records. However, Hannah asserted there is no evidence to suggest that the company is actually insolvent, since Cyber Ninjas also received millions in donations related to the recount effort.

“The court is not going to accept the assertion that Cyber Ninjas is an empty shell and that no one is responsible for seeing that it complies,” Judge Hannah said regarding Cyber Ninja’s assertion.

Cyber Ninjas asserts it is a private company that should not have to turn over records. However, multiple judges assert that the company supplied services to the government and therefore there records should be made public for review by the Arizona Senate. The governing body will then decide what should be released to the public or whether they choose to hold Cyber Ninjas or its key employees accountable.

A contractor working for Cyber Ninjas transports ballots from the 2020 general election
A contractor working for Cyber Ninjas transports ballots from the 2020 general election GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Courtney Pedroza

Former President Donald Trump and GOP federal and Arizona state lawmakers championed the recount for months following the presidential election that was won by President Joe Biden both in the state and the country.

Cyber Ninjas was a key company that supported this effort and looked to undermine the election. GOP lawmakers and Cyber Ninjas targeted Maricopa County, home to 60% of Arizona voters, because for the first time in decades the county voted for a Democrat, according to CNBC.

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