In a stunning turn of events, a former Republican candidate from Florida has found himself in hot water, facing federal charges after a damning recording came to light.
This recording revealed him making alarming threats to eliminate a GOP rival using mercenaries from Ukraine and Russia.
The Threatening Tape
William Braddock, 41, was caught on tape making menacing comments about his competitor, Anna Paulina Luna, who ultimately secured the Republican nomination for Florida’s 13th Congressional District.
In the chilling recording, Braddock suggested that if it appeared Luna would win the primary, he had plans to “take her out.”
The indictment details how Braddock purportedly stated he would “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to ensure his rival “disappeared.”
Following the release of the tape, Braddock hastily withdrew from the race and fled the country, later being found living in the Philippines.
Recently, he was deported back to the United States and made his first court appearance in Los Angeles.
Responses and Reactions
Amid the unfolding drama, aides to Luna were preoccupied with recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which had wreaked havoc in Florida, and could not immediately comment.
Meanwhile, Florida newspapers previously reported on threats allegedly made by Braddock during a civil trial linked to this incident.
In the 2021 recording, Braddock expressed his reluctance to resort to violence, stating, “I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America.”
Yet, he also chillingly remarked that if it were necessary, he would do it, referring to Luna as “a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”
Dark Discussions and Allegations
Braddock also mentioned that his polling consultants would charge him $20,000 for a poll regarding the primary race.
He ominously stated, “And if the poll says Luna’s gonna win, she’s gonna be gone. She’s gonna disappear.”
His statements suggested a disturbing rationale: “For the good of our country, we have to sacrifice the few … for the better or the good of the majority of the people, we’ve got to sacrifice the few.”
Adding to the drama, Luna had previously filed a stalking injunction against Braddock, citing threats against her life.
In her petition, she claimed to have received information about a plotted murder intended to thwart her electoral ambitions.
She also implicated her 2020 primary rival, Amanda Makki, in this alleged conspiracy.
Additional Complaints and Recordings
The tension didn’t stop there.
Another individual, Erin Olszewski, a nurse and COVID-19 whistleblower, also filed an injunction against Braddock.
She was the one who recorded a conversation with him in which he made his threats.
In this call, he rambled about his supposed connections to assassins and even claimed he could finance his plans with help from fellow Freemasons.
Braddock’s chilling assertion of having “access to a hit squad too, Ukrainians and Russians” and his warning to Olszewski not to support Luna revealed a disturbing mindset.
When reached for comment by Politico, Braddock denied making any threats or discussing hit squads, labeling the allegations as “a dirty political tactic” and suggesting that the recording could have been tampered with.
Legal Consequences and Implications
Olszewski, however, refuted claims of any manipulation, asserting that she recorded Braddock due to his “unhinged” animosity towards Luna, who was backed in previous elections by controversial figures like Rep. Matt Gaetz and former President Donald Trump.
After turning over the recording to the police, Olszewski informed Luna, prompting the filing of the injunction against Braddock.
If found guilty, Braddock faces up to five years in prison, as outlined by the Justice Department.
This indictment occurs at a crucial time, with the Justice Department aiming to crack down on threats against election workers as the November elections approach.
What Lies Ahead?
As the legal process unfolds, many are left wondering about the repercussions of Braddock’s actions and the broader implications for political discourse in a highly charged electoral climate.
The story continues to develop, and many eyes will be on the courtroom as the case progresses.
TDPel Media
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