Grace Smoker
Role at the time: Communications director for James's campaign
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Smoker accuses Komatireddy of politicizing the investigation and says James is following facts and law.
“It doesn’t get any lower than that. Attorney General James is focused on following the facts and the law. Our opponent should try to do the same.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)James seeks outside counsel for Cornell investigationDirect responses by Siegel, Quinn, Komatireddy, Richards and Smoker
Original reporting quotes critics and spokespeople on the search for outside counsel. The office confirms a search and discussions, not a completed appointment.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The matter under scrutiny is James's appointment. Smoker defends James's handling of the investigation and rejects her opponent's claim that James is unqualified to conduct it.