I offer my sincere apologies for my indiscretion, and I deeply regret that my actions have brought embarrassment to my family, colleagues, friends and fellow countrymen. He later pleaded guilty to count 4. The 34-year-old was seen on police body-worn camera footage among a crowd of rioters using sticks and other items as weapons to assault police officers protecting the building. . Cogensia terminated Bradley Rukstales from his position as CEO of the business located in suburban Chicago. Fired tech CEO from Inverness pleads guilty in US Capitol siege on Jan. 6 On January 8, the company's board of directors fired him as president and CEO of Cogensia marketing firm. Circled in yellow, Joseph Pavlik, 65, a retired Chicago Fire Department firefighter, was charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with a right-wing militia group on Jan. 6, 2021, while wearing gas masks and carrying chemical irritants. Rukstales told the judge that he was "careful . CEO Who Threw Chair Inside Capitol on Jan. 6 Gets Jail Time U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols also ordered Bradley Rukstales, of Inverness, Illinois, to pay $500 in restitution, court records show Both law enforcement and Trump supporters deployed chemical irritants during the hourslong occupation of the complex before it was cleared Wednesday evening. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Driver crashes into building after shooting, Man hospitalized with serious injuries after fire, Aurora, Chicago among the happiest cities in the. '", Andrews told Crain's Chicago Business that she was not part of the violence and was with a different crowd on another side of the Capitol building. Another suburban man also was arrested Wednesday, according to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. I've enjoyed being a business leader, where I parlayed my marketing statistics and business consultant career into building a powerhouse marketing services provider, with a team of brilliant and dedicated individuals, midwestern values, and a commitment to excellence, ethics, and community. He pleaded not guilty to all counts on 3/30/21. The first known federal charges stemming from the riot were unsealed Thursday afternoon in a court in Washington, laying out an official account of the chaos that interrupted the Electoral College vote count. Hemenway told federal investigators that he entered the U.S. Capitol out of curiosity and stupidity., He [Hemenway] also knew that Vice President Pence was going to announce the Electoral College vote, court documents signed by an FBI special agent said. I was very careful when I was with the chair to make sure that nobody was within striking distance, Rukstales told U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee. David Fitzgerald, of Roselle, also faces charges of unlawful entry and a curfew violation, according to Metropolitan police. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? Rukstales eldest daughter, a teacher in her mid-20s, wrote in a letter to the judge that they disagree politically but that he shouldnt be defined by his actions on Jan. 6. He later apologized for his role, saying in part, My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so. A Chicago real estate agent, who was at the scene that day, was also fired from @properties after posting on social media about her attendance. They were the latest in a series of posts Fitzgerald uploaded to social media over the last few days documenting his road trip to Washington, a visit to the Lincoln Memorial and the pro-Trump demonstrations. [emailprotected], Law&Crime's managing editor Adam Klasfeld has spent more than a decade on the legal beat. She added that the CEO threw a chair in the direction of the officers, but nobody was ever in danger of being hit. / CBS Chicago. Bradley Rukstales pled guilty to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol. There were signs of a violent riot everywhere, and he willingly joined it, federal prosecutors wrote. A Chicago-area tech CEO was arrested and charged with unlawful entry for entering the US Capitol building in the riots on Wednesday, the US Capitol Police said on Thursday. The right IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. Chicago area residents arrested, lose jobs after riots at U.S. Capitol Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "He wasn't involved. Another law-enforcement agency in Washington, the Metropolitan Police Department, said they arrested David Fitzgerald, 48, and charged him with unlawful entry on federal ground and breaking curfew near the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday evening. Here are 13 more things about the Illinois native: Charging documents say he "picked up one of the chairs at the bottom of the stairwell, and threw it in the direction of where the officers had retreated down the corridor.". Bradley Rukstales, a now-former CEO of a data analytics firm named Cogensia, was allegedly among those who were arrested inside the Capitol building after they "willfully refused the order to . I look forward to putting this chapter behind me with the knowledge that in the years to come I will prove myself worthy of forgiveness by living the values that have guided me as a productive and peaceful citizen for the past 53 years.. WASHINGTON (CBS) -- Former Inverness tech CEO Bradley Rukstales has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for his role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. She said her social media post about storming the Capitol was made in jest as she was having a glass of champagne back at her hotel, unaware of the chaos going on inside the historic building. It was the single worst personal decision of my life; I have no excuse for my actions and wish that I could take them back.. In the 2020 election cycle, Rukstales gave more than $25,000 to then-President Trump's campaign and Republican committees, according to The Associated Press. Sweet and Fitchett, of Matthews County were charged with refusing to leave the Capitol after entering the building on Jan. 6. He and Sharon have been very supportive of me," said LaRock, who represents Virginia's 33rd District, which includes parts of Clarke, Frederick and Loudoun counties. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. We are all fools for believing the government and the news on either side.". November 4, 2021 / 9:57 PM A U.S. Capitol Police officer died from injuries Friday. She said @properties didnt listen to her side of the story before terminating her employment, but company spokesman Peter Olesker said the decision was made based on the words and photos Andrews posted. Following their arrests for their alleged part in the insurrection, Robertson and Fracker were both fired by the police department. He has also lived in other parts of the U.S. including California, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. CEO Who Threw Chair Inside Capitol on Jan. 6 Gets Jail Time Late Friday, a day after he was placed on leave, Cogensia terminated Rukstales. Fitzgerald could not be reached for comment. The complaint also said Leffingwell spontaneously apologized for striking the officer.. As Rukstales descended the stairwell to the CVC less than 30 seconds after besieged officers were forced to hastily retreat down it chairs that had been thrown at those officers lay strewn about the floor. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. In a statement Thursday night, Rukstales apologized for his actions. According to court documents, Packer was arrested by FBI on Jan. 13 in Norfolk on a warrant out of the District of Columbia. He was taken into custody inside the Capitol complex after a group of rioters chased officers from the Capitol crypt (underneath the Capitol Rotunda) down into the Capitol Visitor Center. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols also ordered Bradley Rukstales of Inverness to pay $500 in restitution. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington.. All rights reserved, Man Dies at Cook County Jail Less Than a Day After Being Booked, These Starved Rock Tiny Cabins Are Perfect For a Weekend Getaway, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Body of Missing Genoa Man Recovered From River: Authorities. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time - and I regret my part in that. Bradley F. Rukstales . According to an an FBI affidavit, Steele-Smith posted photos and videos outside the Capitol, with one claiming to be inside the office of House Speaker Pelosi. Those details surfaced as Bradley Rukstales, 53, of Inverness, on Tuesday became the first known defendant from Illinois to plead guilty to his role in the breach. Trump Crazed Insurrectionist Pleads Guilty After Throwing Chair Toward According to a news release Friday from the Department of Justice, Bradley Rukstales, 52, of Inverness, was charged Thursday with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.. RUKSTALES, Bradley | USAO-DC | Department of Justice He picked up one of the chairs and belligerently hurled it in the direction of where the officers had fallen back., Prosecutors noted that officers were dozens of feet away from Rukstales and not in danger of being hit. Rukstales lawyer wrote there was no evidence the chair was even damaged., Federal prosecutors said it took three officers to effectuate the arrest of Rukstales and that Rukstales directly contributed to law enforcement being overwhelmed because it took at least three officers to get him under control during a volatile point in the overall attack on the Capitol.. Rukstales was fired from Cogensia on the day he was charged federally. Bradley Rukstales, CEO of marketing consultancy Cogensia, has reportedly acknowledged entering the Capitol during the riots. Court records indicate Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty and is due back before a judge in June. Bradley Rukstales, the 52-year-old CEO and president of Cogensia, confirmed his arrest by Capitol Police for unlawful entry in Washington on Wednesday to WBEZ. Illinois CEO regrets 'worst' decision of his life at US Capitol riot Four people died, one of thema woman from San Diegowho was shot and killed inside the Capitol. There are 20+ professionals named "Rukstales", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. A Chicago-area man who lost his job as CEO of a tech firm because he participated in the Jan. 6 post-election unrest at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced Friday. The death camps gate read, Arbeit mact frei, which translates in English to work makes freedom, the FBI affidavit states. Fitzgerald was not among the 13 charged in federal court Thursday. Meanwhile, a Chicago real estate agent who describes herself as a big Trump supporter lost her job for a social media post she made after going to the Capitol. I mean, it was great to see a whole bunch of people together in the morning, and hear the speeches, but, uh, yeah, it turned into chaos, he recalled late Thursday. Authorities identified Steele-Smith by reviewing surveillance footage and comparing her Facebook photos to her drivers license. U.S. Capitol Police reported Rukstales arrest on Thursday. A suburban Chicago man and the CEO of a data analytics firm who was arrested during the U.S. Capitol riot has been charged for his involvement in the events, according to the Department of Justice. A state budget with firm fiscal foundation that shows tremendous progress? Or a cynical election-year ploy to buy votes? DCNF INVESTIGATES: Was Antifa Responsible For The Capitol Riot? CHICAGO (CBS) -- Federal prosecutors have asked for a 45-day sentence for Bradley Rukstales a former tech CEO who pleaded guilty to charges in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. According to court records, Hemenway lured his estranged wife to a hotel in 2004 where he handcuffed her and duct-taped her mouth shut. Not all of his family agreed with his behavior or his politics, however. She told the publication she "never saw anything destructive taking place, but that the group she was in sang the national anthem and Twisted SistersWere Not Gonna Take It.". A U.S. Capitol police officer affidavit filed in the case described the melee. Additionally, about 40 others have been arrested and charged with crimes including unlawful entry, curfew violations and firearms-related crimes. LaRock attended the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally in D.C. but said he did not enter the U.S. Capitol. He had been the CEO of Cogensia for 19 years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Bradley Rukstales, the 52-year-old CEO and president of Cogensia, confirmed his arrest by Capitol Police for unlawful entry in Washington on Wednesday to WBEZ. Among other things, he is alleged to have explored plans to bring weapons into Washington, D.C., using pickup trucks or boats to transport them across the Potomac River at a critical moment. Brad Rukstales (@brad_rukstales) January 8, 2021. Could new DNA tech crack the JonBenet Ramsey case? View the profiles of professionals named "Rukstales" on LinkedIn. In the 2020 election cycle, Rukstales gave more than $25,000 to then-President Trump's campaign and Republican committees, according to The Associated Press. The guy in the white shirt told us to come this way; he said exit through the rear, Fitzgerald told an officer. Bradley Rukstales, 53, of Inverness, Illinois, and the former CEO of data analytics firm Cogensia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols. . Bradley Rukstales, of Inverness, is the CEO of Schaumburg-based Cogensia, which acknowledged his arrest in a statement on social media . Bradley Rukstales was president and CEO of Cogensia, a tech company in Schaumburg, Ill., when he entered the Capitol with hundreds of radical supporters of former President Donald Trump. PAWS Chicago Pet of the Week: Meet Benny! Dan Mihalopoulos is an investigative reporter on WBEZs Government & Politics Team. Be there, will be wild! he tweeted Dec. 19 and went directly to the Capitol from the airport. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The FBI is still looking for 350 people who committed violent acts that day, including 250 who attacked law enforcement officers. Their continued encouragement, and the grace they have shown me, are proof that one brief and thoughtless moment does not need to define a persons entire life, he said. I condemn acts of violence., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Trump recites Pledge of Allegiance in collaboration on new song with J6 Prison Choir, Justice Department says Trump can be sued over Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Jan. 6 rioter known as Sedition Panda busted in Florida: feds, Schumer blasts Tucker Carlsons access to Jan. 6 tapes: one of the worst security risks since 9/11. She was photographed on the east steps not far from the door, wearing a Trump knit cap and making peace signs in a throng of people, but said she did not enter the building. Rukstales had previously donated more than $28,000 to Republicans, including $12,000 to Trump via various committees, according to campaign contributions obtained by the station. He was among those arrested in Washington, D.C. for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Additional photos and posts to STEELE-SMITHs Facebook account include a post stating, Weve stormed the castle., On her Facebook page, the FBI found a conversation in which Steele-Smith stated: "I was there. Douglas Sweet, Terry Brown, Bradley . I had nothing to do with charging anybody or anything or any of that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and I regret my part in that. Illinois CEO arrested during Capitol riots says he was in 'wrong place' at 'wrong time' After he was arrested for unlawful entry, Bradley Rukstales, a Chicago-area CEO, said he regretted. "Everything that happened yesterday, I think, was terrible. Some defendants are accused of bringing weapons to Capitol Hill. Bradley Rukstales of Inverness,. Next time (and there WILL be a next time) we will have learned and we will be stronger, Caldwell said in a message to others after the meeting, according to court documents. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Federal prosecutors have asked for a 45-day sentence for Bradley Rukstales - a former tech CEO who pleaded guilty to charges in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. (Libby Andrews). My office, along with our law enforcement partners at all levels, have been expeditiously working and leveraging every resource to identify, arrest, and begin prosecuting these individuals who took part in the brazen criminal acts at the U.S. Capitol. i was in the wrong place at the wrong time, he insisted. In a video David Fitzgerald posted to his Facebook page, members of the media and Trump supporters were wandering among police officers, asking how they could leave an area enclosed by fences. Sean Carlo Cordon, the third rioter sentenced Friday, received just probation. The U.S. Capitol Police said Thursday they arrested Bradley Rukstales, who lives in Inverness, and charged him with unlawful entry. Cogensia CEO Bradley Rukstales Wikipedia And Net Worth - Halla News Authorities confirmed Packers identification by comparing photos of him on Jan. 6 to his drivers license picture and through a cooperating witness who said they recognized him as a regular at a store near Newport News. That's all I'm comfortable saying.". Another suburban Chicago man, a self-employed tattoo artist from Roselle, was also arrested in Washington on Wednesday. On Feb. 12, Steele-Smith pleaded not guilty. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. That is why I came to Washington, D.C. on that day, and brought my family.. Fitzgerald posted a video that was taken near the Capitol on his Facebook page at about 7 p.m. Wednesday , a few hours after the violent insurrection. ", The company said Andrews "acknowledged on social media that she took part in 'storming the Capitol. He is among 13 people charged so far in federal court in the District of Columbia, according to the release. They released the statement below. Three other people died after suffering medical emergencies related to the breach, said Robert Contee, chief of the citys Metropolitan Police Department. Chicago CEO arrested, apologizes for entering Capitol during riots - Yahoo! Fitzgerald's wife told NBC 5 her husband was there "to . The time is now! Joel Schiltz, senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Cogensia, has been named Acting CEO. Earlier this year, Rukstales, of Inverness, pleaded guilty to the following charges for taking part in the Capitol riot. Caldwell is charged with conspiring with member of the Oath Keepers to assault the Capitol on Jan. 6. And thats all Im comfortable saying.. Sidorski was charged with four counts related to violent entry into the restricted grounds of the Capitol, CNN reported. Bradley Rukstales attended the initial protest in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, and when the demonstration devolved into a violent riot, he took part in the chaos and invaded the Capitol. Caldwell, of Clarke County, must remain in jail until his trial because he represents not just a danger to the community but to the fabric of democracy, a federal judge ruled Feb. 12. CEO who threw chair inside Capitol on Jan. 6 gets jail time His reporting on the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell was featured on the Starz and Channel 4 documentary "Who Is Ghislaine Maxwell?" @properties said in a statement that agent Libby Andrews was in Washington, D.C., during the riots at the U.S. Capitol and has since been terminated "effective immediately. I think its horrible that happened. Individuals in the crowd forced entry into the U.S. Capitol, including by breaking windows.. On Jan. 7, a tip came into the FBIs National Threat Operations Center claiming that Robert Bauer, Hemenways cousin, posted photos inside the Capitol after attending the Stop the Steal rally. Lehr also said the 53-year-old tossed a chair toward U.S. Capitol Police officers before being dragged away from the scene by police and arrested. Bradley Rukstales made three donations totaling $2,250 last year to Ives' unsuccessful campaign against Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten for the 6th Congressional District seat. I am aware of my fathers charges. "The officer immediately turned around, brought Rukstales to the ground, and he and another officers dragged Rukstales behind their defensive line to be arrested," the charges alleged. @properties said in a statement that agent Libby Andrews was in Washington, D.C., during the riots at the U.S. Capitol and has since been terminated "effective immediately. Bradley Rukstales Inverness, IL: Ex-CEO of Schaumburg company Cogensia Prosecutors Seek 45-Day Prison Sentence For Bradley Rukstales, First Former CEO of Schaumburg firm becomes first Illinoisan to plead guilty First federal charges filed following riot at U.S. Capitol - Chicago A spokeswoman for Cogensia on Thursday said Rukstales was put on a leave of absence pending the companys investigation of the matter. It was like a party. Among the most notable Virginia residents charged in the insurrection are two police officers and a Navy veteran with alleged ties to the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government militia organization. Four people lost . . We've received your submission. David Fitzgerald, 48, a tattoo artist from Roselle, was charged with a curfew violation and unlawful entry, according to police records posted online. "Tom has served our country in a long and distinguished career in the U.S. military. Schaumberg CEO, Bradley Rukstales fired after storming U.S. Capitol Indian Trail, High Street intersection work approved in Aurora, Suspect in high-speed chase crashes into, kills veteran Indiana State Trooper trying to stop him: officials, Educators get peek at Paramount play about artificial intelligence which is set to tour schools, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Bradley Rukstales, 52, of Inverness, was arrested by the Capitol Police and David Fitzgerald, 48, of Roselle, was arrested by the Washington Metropolitan police. Fracker and Robertson, two Rocky Mount Police Department officers, were off duty when they entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to FBI documents. Prosecutors used this screenshot of Boyd Camper from a CBS News clip in the federal case against him. He had been the chief executive officer of Schaumburg-based tech company Cogensia. Only a day after 53-year-old Bradley Rukstales entered the Capitol building, the now-former Cogensia CEO posted a lengthy statement on his Twitter account. WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. I think there will be real violence for all of us next time. Former Schaumburg CEO Sentenced 30 Days for Misdemeanor Demonstrating Two Chicago Suburbanites Arrested in D.C. | WBEZ Chicago We are resolute in our commitment to holding accountable anyone responsible for these disgraceful criminal acts, and to anyone who might be considering engaging in or inciting violence in the coming weeks know this: you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law..