Florida man used Russian-Ukrainian hit squad to threaten rival: DOJ

Former congressional candidate William Robert Braddock III has been charged by the Justice Department with threatening to send a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill his political rival, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. Braddock, accused of threatening his primary opponent and a private citizen, allegedly left the U.S. after making threats but was later deported from the Philippines. Luna, an Air Force veteran, and former media consultant, was granted a temporary restraining order against Braddock in 2021.

In court proceedings, Luna testified that Braddock had allegedly made threats to have her killed, leading Olszewski to secretly record a phone call with Braddock where he mentioned a hit squad. Braddock faces charges of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person and could face up to five years in prison if convicted. Luna’s office has not responded to requests for comments about the indictment as she continues to face death threats.

Overall

The case sheds light on the increasing violence in the political arena, emphasizing the need for security measures to protect candidates from potential harm.