Former Congressional Candidate Faces Federal Charges Over Alleged Plot to Kill Political Opponent Using ‘Russian-Ukrainian Hit Squad.’
The Shocking Allegations Against William Braddock
In a bizarre and chilling case of political rivalry gone dangerously wrong, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged William Robert Braddock III, a former GOP congressional candidate from Florida, with threatening to kill his political opponent. Braddock, 41, allegedly made several threats in 2021 to use a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to eliminate his rival in the primary race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District.
According to the indictment unsealed in Florida, Braddock’s threats were directed at “Victim 1,” believed to be his political rival, and a second individual referred to as “Victim 2,” an acquaintance of the rival. These threats were reportedly made during a phone call on June 8, 2021, in which Braddock described an elaborate and deadly plan to have his opponent “disappear.” The indictment has since raised significant concerns about the escalating violence and threats in today’s political arena.
The Threats: Russian-Ukrainian Hit Squad and Political Violence
Braddock’s threats are not just the usual political mudslinging; they were specific, direct, and terrifying. During a secretly recorded phone call with “Victim 2,” Braddock allegedly claimed that he could “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to take out his political opponent, with chilling precision, stating that they could do it in as little as 24 hours. This claim was later revealed in court, and Braddock allegedly left the U.S. after making these threats, fleeing to the Philippines.
The plot took an international turn when Braddock was deported back to the U.S. from the Philippines and subsequently made his first court appearance in Los Angeles. The DOJ has charged him with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, a federal charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The Political Rival: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
Though not named in the indictment, it’s widely believed that the target of Braddock’s threats was Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. Luna, a rising star in the Republican Party and an Air Force veteran, had contended with Braddock during the GOP primary race for Florida’s 13th District in 2021. At the time, she had accused Braddock of stalking her and making violent threats against her life. Luna’s fears were validated when a judge granted her and a close friend, conservative activist Erin Olszewski, a temporary restraining order against Braddock.
Luna later testified that Braddock had emotionally terrorized her, stating in court, “Mr. Braddock clearly hated my guts and wanted to hurt me.” The former media consultant also recalled the fear and trauma she experienced due to Braddock’s threats, saying, “I think he’s an evil person… It was horrifying, and it still is.”
The Secretly Recorded Phone Call and the Russian Hit Squad Plot
The evidence against Braddock includes a phone call secretly recorded by Erin Olszewski. In the recording, Braddock reportedly laid out his macabre plan, claiming that the Russian and Ukrainian hit squad could kill Luna in less than a day. Olszewski, a friend of Luna’s, testified that Braddock made the threats during their conversation and even warned that her children might be in danger if she repeated his words.
Olszewski immediately shared the recording with Luna, and the two women contacted authorities, leading to the legal actions that followed. Braddock’s response at the time was defiant, denying the accusations and suggesting that the recording had been edited or altered for political purposes. However, the chilling details of the recorded conversation were enough for Luna to win a temporary restraining order against him, prompting Braddock to withdraw from the race.
Political Threats and Violence: A Growing Concern
This case highlights a troubling trend in modern politics—an increase in violent threats, particularly against female politicians. Rep. Luna, who has been endorsed by former President Trump twice, has been the target of numerous threats, including several in recent months. Luna’s spokesperson has called attention to the disproportionate targeting of female members of Congress for stalking, violence, and harassment, noting that this reflects a broader and more dangerous culture of political violence.
In response to these issues, the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, created in 2021 by Attorney General Merrick Garland, has been working to address violent threats made against election workers and political candidates. Braddock’s indictment falls under this task force’s jurisdiction and serves as a reminder that political differences should never escalate to violence.
FAQ: William Braddock and the Death Threat Case
Q: Who is William Braddock?
A: William Robert Braddock III is a former GOP candidate from St. Petersburg, Florida, who ran in the 2021 Republican primary for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. He was recently charged with threatening to kill his political opponent during the campaign.
Q: What are the charges against William Braddock?
A: Braddock has been charged with interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. This charge is related to alleged death threats he made against his political rival and another individual during a phone call in June 2021.
Q: What did William Braddock allegedly threaten?
A: According to prosecutors, Braddock threatened to send a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill his political opponent within 24 hours. These threats were made in a phone call secretly recorded by an acquaintance of the opponent.
Q: Who was the target of Braddock’s threats?
A: Though the indictment does not explicitly name the target, it is widely believed that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., was the primary target. Luna had previously accused Braddock of making threats against her during the 2021 GOP primary race.
Q: What is the maximum penalty Braddock could face?
A: If convicted, Braddock faces a maximum of five years in prison for the charge of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person.
As this case moves forward, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that arise when political rivalries cross the line into violence. For now, William Braddock awaits his fate in court while the conversation around safety in politics continues to grow.