A 64-year-old Iowa man has been arrested for threatening to lynch Maricopa County supervisor Clint Hickman and an employee at the Arizona Attorney General’s office for failing to investigate a fictitious voter fraud allegation. I was.
“When we came to lynch your stupid liar Commy [expletive]you will remember that you lied [expletive] Bible, part of you [expletive]’” Mark Lissi reportedly said in a voicemail to Hickman. Press release by the Department of Justice“You are going to die, part of you [expletive]We’re going to hang you we’re going to hang you
I got a call after 3 days Cyber Ninjas releases flawed analysis The 2020 election results are the final results of the Arizona Senate partisan election review. Prey to conspiracy theorists and legislators.
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“I remember exactly where I was when I heard that voicemail. It was chilling,” Hickman said in a statement about the call. It was not a protection of speech, which was a serious threat to me and my family.
“We thank the Department of Justice and the FBI for taking this case seriously and arresting us. task force Addressing the growing threat of violence against election officials and elected officials. ”
Hickman’s statement said today’s indictment “isn’t good enough,” and over the past two years, he and his colleagues have received numerous threats.one of those colleagues Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.
Earlier this year, a Missouri man opposed a partisan election review in the Senate by leaving a voicemail on a Republican’s cell phone saying, “Other people in other states are looking at your ass.” was charged with threatening to kill Richer.
You’re going to die, you’re part of (expletive). we’re going to hang you we’re going to hang you
– Voicemail to Maricopa County Superintendent Clint Hickman allegedly left by Mark Lissi
Hickman has put the blame on the feet of Republicans who have remained silent about the election lies in order to maintain a position in a party that considers apostates those who deny unsubstantiated fraud allegations.
“Generally, people in positions of power, leadership and influence here in Arizona are silent,” Hickman said in a statement. “How can you be silent?”
Hickman further said he hopes that speaking out will encourage others to follow suit, in hopes of combating disinformation that “endangers our democracy.”
“No one should be subject to this kind of hatred, whether or not they share your politics or worldview,” he said.
Hickman wasn’t the only official threatened.
Rissi also allegedly called the office of Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich claiming he was the victim of a “crime.”Brnovic is Target of Election Deniers Those who believe the AG should investigate perceived fraud or arrest those they believe to be responsible.
In a phone call, Rissi claimed the crime was “theft of the 2020 election,” repeating: debunked claims Maricopa Council deleting files from computer system.
Rissi then told unidentified employees to “do your job” or “you’ll hang out with them.” [expletive] in the end. we’ll look into that. Torches and rakes. That’s your future. [expletive]. Do your job. ”
“I would like to thank the Department of Justice for taking threats against public officials seriously,” Brnovic said in a statement. arizona mirror“No one should be threatened with doing their job.”
Rissi has been charged with two counts of threatening interstate communications and threatening telephone calls. Rissi faces up to 12 years in prison for making threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years for him, and two years for her for making a threatening phone call. You may face imprisonment.
The FBI Phoenix Field Office investigated the incident with assistance from the FBI Cedar Rapids Field Office.
Election officials across the country face an unusually high level of threat, including Arizona, and since June 2021, the FBI has received over 1,000 reports related to intimidation of election officials. About 11% or 110 of these tips lead to investigations.
