A former congressional candidate in Florida faces federal charges for allegedly threatening to deploy a Russian-Ukrainian hit squad against his political opponent.
According to Fox News, the Department of Justice has charged William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, Florida, with making interstate threats to injure another person.
The indictment, unsealed in the Middle District of Florida, alleges that Braddock threatened to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for Florida's 13th Congressional District. Prosecutors claim that on June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats during a phone call with an acquaintance of his rival candidate. He allegedly stated that he would "call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" to make his opponent "disappear."
Braddock, a former Marine, was running as a Republican candidate in the primary election against Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who is now serving in Congress. While Luna is not named in the indictment, she had previously sought a restraining order against Braddock in 2021, citing stalking and death threats.
The case gained attention when a conservative activist and friend of Luna, Erin Olszewski, secretly recorded a phone call with Braddock. In the recording obtained by Politico in June 2021, Braddock allegedly discussed the possibility of his opponent being killed by a "Russian and Ukrainian hit squad" within 24 hours.
At the time, Braddock denied the allegations and suggested the recording may have been altered. He subsequently dropped out of the race, citing the publicity surrounding the case.
The Justice Department's indictment comes after a complex series of events involving civil court proceedings and political maneuvering. In 2021, Luna testified in court about her fears regarding Braddock's alleged threats.
Luna stated in court, "Mr. Braddock clearly hated my guts and wanted to hurt me. I started getting very afraid of him. It was horrifying, and it still is."
The case has been brought as part of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force, established by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021, to address violent threats against election workers and officials.
This case highlights the increasing concerns about political violence and threats in the United States. Luna's spokesperson commented on the broader issue of threats against elected officials, particularly women in Congress.
"Female members of Congress are disproportionately targeted for stalking, violence, and harassment compared to their male counterparts," the spokesperson stated, emphasizing Luna's commitment to addressing this alarming trend.
If convicted, Braddock faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The charges underscore the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating threats of political violence in the current climate.
The case against Braddock involves allegations of interstate threats, the use of a purported foreign hit squad, and the intersection of personal rivalries with political ambitions. It raises questions about the boundaries of political discourse and the potential for extreme rhetoric to escalate into criminal behavior. As the legal process unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for civility and respect in political competition, even amid fierce rivalries and high-stakes campaigns.
