1/Today, one of the individuals - Brittan Atkinson - who threatened my life during our (@AndrewBakaj) representation of IC #whistleblower in 2019-20 was sentenced to 12 months, 1 day (felony) in jail (& 3 years probation) for his actions.
#RuleOfLaw #Justice
#RuleOfLaw #Justice
https://twitter.com/BradMossEsq/status/1402993164571471875
2/His death threat was actually one of several I received, particularly in Nov 2019, after GOP Trump operatives discovered my - gasp - 2017 "coup" tweet. I was referring to #SallyYates firing & lawful, constitutional impeachment proceedings.
lawandcrime.com/high-profile/w…
lawandcrime.com/high-profile/w…
3/These death threats came in wake of President Trump personally attacking me. He called me out at political rally, called me a "scumbag" & said I should be "sued for treason" (doesn't exist, BTW, but sounds real good).
lawandcrime.com/awkward/trump-…
lawandcrime.com/awkward/trump-…
4/But it was really comments by alt-right media propagandists #RushLimbaugh, @marklevinshow, @seanhannity & @IngrahamAngle who sparked most of the death threats. They bear responsibility, morally if not legally, for many harmful actions by ppl during last 4 years.
Think Jan 6th.
Think Jan 6th.
5/Some examples of threats:
"I've seen you at lunch twice. I work downtown. After seeing your fetish for child porn, we're going to have a friendly boxing match/mutual combat the next time I see you at the restaurant. My child was a victim."
Of course, I wasn't working downtown
"I've seen you at lunch twice. I work downtown. After seeing your fetish for child porn, we're going to have a friendly boxing match/mutual combat the next time I see you at the restaurant. My child was a victim."
Of course, I wasn't working downtown
6/"A bullet in your head"
"step one: tie noose step two: throw noose over tree step three: tie noose down step four: put head in noose step five: pull noose tight to the neck step six: step off"
"step one: tie noose step two: throw noose over tree step three: tie noose down step four: put head in noose step five: pull noose tight to the neck step six: step off"
7/ I was also doxxed & "swatted". All for representing lawful #whistleblower who reported potential wrongdoing through proper channels of president Trump.
Trump's ppl milked that "coup" tweet entire time.
vox.com/2020/2/3/21120…
Trump's ppl milked that "coup" tweet entire time.
vox.com/2020/2/3/21120…
8/I believe FBI interviewed abt half-dozen potential suspects who threatened me. All, except Atkinson, backed down, likely having freaked out that FBI actually came to their home. Atkinson, however, reacted w/hostility to FBI visit & prosecution followed.
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/b…
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/b…
9/ This is the victim impact statement I submitted to the Court.
I'll also reproduce the text.
I'll also reproduce the text.
10/Page 2
11/"Dear Judge Ludington:
I am respectfully submitting this victim impact statement for your consideration in the sentencing, which is currently scheduled for March 18, 2021, of the above defendant, who pled guilty to Interstate Communications Threat to Kidnap/Injure."
I am respectfully submitting this victim impact statement for your consideration in the sentencing, which is currently scheduled for March 18, 2021, of the above defendant, who pled guilty to Interstate Communications Threat to Kidnap/Injure."
12/"On November 7, 2019, as I was in the midst of serving as legal counsel for the Intelligence Community whistleblower who lawfully filed a complaint against President Donald J. Trump, I received an e-mail from Brittan J. Atkinson that stated (emphasis original):"
13/"All traitors must die miserable deaths. Those that represent traitors shall meet the same fate, we will hunt you down and bleed you out like the pigs you are."
14/"We have nothing but time, and you are running out of it. Keep looking over your shoulder, we know who you are, where you live, and who you associate with, we are all strangers in a crowd to you, the next move is yours."
15/"I have handled many high-profile cases on both sides of political ideology in the nearly thirty years I have practiced law, but never before had I received such a personal vile threat. It was unnerving, troubling and frankly quite scary."
16/"Significantly, the impact of the threat was not only on me personally, but it affected my immediate family, friends and colleagues. This was a blatant attempt at overt intimidation in the worst kind. In light of the circumstances that existed at the time, ...."
17/"....I have absolutely no doubt that Mr. Atkinson’s demonstrated hatred was instigated and indeed encouraged by irresponsible demagoguery from individuals such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and even the President of the United States himself."
18/"I hold each of them personally responsible for fomenting the climate that led to Mr. Atkinson’s conduct."
19/"I do not know Mr. Atkinson. Beyond this one e-mail I have still never interacted with him. I have no personal animus towards him, nor do I wish he or his family any ill will. From press reports I have read in the aftermath of his indictment I understand ..."
20/"...he has faced many demons in his life over the years and I hope he can one day overcome them."
21/"Fortunately, Mr. Atkinson’s actions did absolutely nothing to deter me from my ethical responsibilities to my client. Indeed, he merely strengthened my resolve to continue representing lawful whistleblowers who demonstrate integrity, honesty and bravery in seeking ..."
22/"...accountability from our public officials, whether Democratic or Republican. But the impact on me and those closest to me is not the only consideration. Would another attorney, whose differing personal and professional circumstances and resources ..."
23/"...(in responses to threats I received Whistleblower Aid spent over $140,000 in providing me with armed security for two months), have been impacted by such a death threat so that it might fundamentally alter the actual representation of their client?"
24/"This type of behavior cannot be tolerated within our civil society. We are a country that is governed by laws and standards of conduct, and actions such as demonstrated by Mr. Atkinson must have public consequences. ..."
25/"While this Court lacks jurisdiction over those responsible for creating the climate that led to Mr. Atkinson’s actions, it can sentence their foot soldier who made an individual independent decision to violate the law and ensure justice is achieved...."
26/"Importantly, this case should serve to deter others from repeating this conduct. Respectfully, I leave it to discretion of the Court to determine how best to send that message so that it has a helpful, positive impact on both Mr. Atkinson individually & the public generally."
27/"In closing, I want to thank the prosecutors from within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for initiating this case, and most importantly to the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ..."
28/"an agency I am ironically normally at odds with though have a great respect for, who handled this investigation with impartiality, empathy and incredible professionalism."
END LETTER
END LETTER
29/My issued formal statement
END/In closing, I really do want to thank @FBI & @TheJusticeDept for all that its personnel did in ensuring justice was protected & achieved, regardless of politics or ideology. And especially in light of the fact I am always suing them!
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