He was fired by the company the same day he was hit with federal charges for his role in the riot. (Libby Andrews). Defendants like Jenna Ryan made post-arrest public statements reflecting a belief that she was immune from punishment because of her social status and a personal message that she would get off Scott free, Rukstales lawyer wrote. 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. November 4, 2021 / 9:57 PM . Here are 13 more things about the Illinois native: A U.S. Capitol Police officer died from injuries Friday. Bradley Rukstales, 52, of Inverness, was arrested by Capitol police, and David Fitzgerald, 48, of Roselle, was arrested by the Washington Metropolitan police. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols also ordered Bradley Rukstales, of Inverness, Illinois, to pay $500 in restitution, court records show. In this photo, damage is seen inside the US Capitol building early. Rukstales is the CEO of Cogensia, according to the firm's website. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time - and I regret my part in that. 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.". Brad Rukstales, the CEO of Chicago-based tech company Cogensia, claimed attending the Capitol riot was the "worst personal decision of his life." Rukstales, who resides in the Chicago suburbs,. Rukstales, CEO of . A state budget with firm fiscal foundation that shows tremendous progress? Or a cynical election-year ploy to buy votes? 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. 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.. Mellis is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk and is scheduled for a remote bond hearing on Friday in the U.S. District Court in Norfolk. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. On Jan. 8, law enforcement received a tip online that Steele-Smith, of Gloucester, posted photos from inside the Capitol on her personal Facebook page. 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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. In a moment of extremely poor judgment following the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, I followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors in the Capitol building to see what was taking place inside, Rukstales claimed. "Cogensia condemns what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and we intend to continue to embrace the values of integrity, diversity and transparency in our business operations, and expect all employees to embrace those values as well. "Everything that happened yesterday, I think, was terrible. We've received your submission. ", Rukstales, 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.". U.S. Capitol Police reported Rukstales arrest on Thursday. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington., Offering sincere apologies for what he called his indiscretion, Rukstales added: I deeply regret that my actions have brought embarrassment to my family, colleagues, friends and fellow countrymen., It was the single worst decision of my life, he wrote. Cogensia condemns what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and we intend to continue to embrace the values of integrity, diversity and transparency in our business operations, and expect all employees to embrace those values as well, the company said after the arrest. YouTube Tips Bradley Rukstales of Inverness, Illinois, on Friday, November 12, 2021, was sentenced to 30 days in prison and ordered by U.S. Di Democrat Giannoulias in the drivers seat in race for campaign cash in hotly contested secretary of state contest, Sean Casten fundraising haul: $2 million banked beats rival Marie Newmans $552,510 balance, With COVID-19 cases rising, Pritzker still searching for public health chief to succeed Ezike, a hero during this pandemic, Ald. The six individuals, like others in the larger crowd, willfully refused the order to leave, the police officer said. Do you have a press pass? the officer asked. The FBI was informed of a screenshot on Twitter showing Sidorski inside the Capitol building wearing a black sweatshirt with American Supremacist on the front. The campaign contributor to President Trump said the first arrest of his life was the result of extremely poor judgment as he followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to invade the Capitol which resulted in one woman being fatally shot, three others dying from medical emergencies and a Capitol Police officer succumbing to injuries. In a post to Twitter this Thursday, Rukstales' employer announced that he has been placed on leave while they assessed the situation. Another suburban Chicago man, a self-employed tattoo artist from Roselle, was also arrested in Washington on Wednesday. Brad Rukstales, who gave $25,000 to Trump's campaign and GOP committees in 2020, said he allowed emotions to get the better of me.". And thats all Im comfortable saying.. PAWS Chicago Pet of the Week: Meet Benny! My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so, he wrote in his statement. 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. Bradley Rukstales, 52, of Inverness, was arrested by the Capitol Police and David Fitzgerald, 48, of Roselle, was arrested by the Washington Metropolitan police. Controversy over display by wife of @properties CEO reignites after Trump rally. 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.. Bradley Rukstales (Bradley F. Rukstales) is the former president and CEO of Cogensia, a data analytics company. 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. Rukstales was initially charged with unlawful entry in D.C. Superior Court, and federal prosecutors also later charged him with one count of 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 one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. The death camps gate read, Arbeit mact frei, which translates in English to work makes freedom, the FBI affidavit states. Rukstales' exclusive interview with CBS 2's Charlie De Mar has been presented as evidence against the defendant. 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. 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., Rukstales appeared to address his involvement in a statement on Twitter, saying "in a moment of extremely poor judgment following the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, I followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to the Capitol building to see what was taking place inside.". His wife, Jeanette Fitzgerald, didnt know the basis of the unlawful entry charge but said her husband did not participate in the storming of the Capitol earlier in the day. Sherwin said prosecutors plan to file 15 federal cases for crimes including unauthorized access and theft of property, and investigators are combing through reams of evidence to bring additional charges. 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Rukistales was the first Illinois resident to plead guilty in the riots. Fitzgerald also was charged with a curfew violation. He gave $5,000 to Trumps campaign in October and is a regular contributor to Republican candidates and committees, according to the Federal Election Commission. . The prosecutor noted that the pro-Trump mob, including Rukstales, threw chairs. He added: "I had nothing to do with charging anybody or anything or any of that. Poles needs to make sure Eberflus maintains significant input. 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. U.S. Capitol Police, who are charged with protecting Congress, turned to other law enforcement for help with the mob that overwhelmed the complex and sent lawmakers into hiding. He wasnt there with anything malicious in mind.. 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. 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.". #GoBlue 109 181 1,702 WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. 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. Brad Rukstales (@brad_rukstales) January 8, 2021. 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.. The lawless destruction of the U.S. Capitol building was an attack against one of our Nations greatest institutions, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said in a statement. 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. 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. 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. Fitzgerald is a self-employed tattoo artist, according to his social-media accounts and company filings with state officials. Fitzgerald also was charged with a curfew violation. When they stopped him, he allegedly punched a Capitol Police officer repeatedly with a closed fist. The officer was allegedly struck on a helmet and in the chest. Andrews said she has already gotten another job offer. Metropolitan Police said they charged David Fitzgerald, 48, with unlawful entry on federal grounds and breaking curfew near the Capitol late Wednesday, WBEZ reported. Then on Friday, the company announced he had been terminated by the Board of Directors "effective immediately.". Rukstales is accused of throwing one of those chairs. 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. 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. The complaint says Alberts had a handgun with one round in the chamber and a full, 12-round capacity magazine, along with a second spare magazine. Sidorski was charged with four counts related to violent entry into the restricted grounds of the Capitol, CNN reported. A CBS Chicago reporter also caught up with Rukstales at his Inverness home, where he briefly recalled what he saw before cutting the interview short. Many of the defendants are current or former police officers and members of the military. (Screenshot) A former tech company CEO pleaded guilty Tuesday after admitting to throwing a chair toward police during the Capitol insurrection, but . (Brad Rukstales) On the same day the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges in federal court against the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol building last Wednesday, Bradley Rukstales, a Schaumberg tech firm President and CEO, was fired for his role in the act of domestic terrorism. Four people died, one of thema woman from San Diegowho was shot and killed inside the Capitol. The CEO of a data analytics firm who was arrested during the U.S. Capitol riot has been terminated from his role, the company announced Friday. The complaint against Alberts alleges he was identified using a Maryland drivers license. Fitzgerald also was charged with a curfew violation. Caldwell attracted praise from Del. Rukstales was president and CEO of the Schaumburg-based tech company Cogensia. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. I was arrested for the first time in my life and charged with unlawful entry.. That was not his only public statement on the matter. The man, 28, was shot in the left shoulder about 12:45 p.m. Saturday while in the 1000 block of West 59th Street. Authorities identified Steele-Smith by reviewing surveillance footage and comparing her Facebook photos to her drivers license. I do not condone his actions that have led to those charges. Dave LaRock, a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates who represents western Loudoun County as well as Clarke and Frederick Counties. Washington, D.C. U.S.. He was. A spokeswoman for. Bradley F. Rukstales is a white man from Illinois, United States. The officer described Rukstales as part of a group of six people he encountered on the upper level of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center near the door to the House Atrium who refused orders to leave. The six individuals, Cindy Fitchett, Michael Curzio, Douglas Sweet, Terry Brown, Bradley Rukstales, and Thomas Gallgher, were removed from the crowd, placed in handcuffs, and arrested. The video showed Trump supporters yelling at police in body armor and an officer telling them, Theres a curfew, youre under arrest., Someone protested that the Trump backers were trying to leave. An officer replied, Its too late., In a series of comments under the video, Fitzgerald wrote, Im under arrest, Surrounded, and Tell my wife., Six hours earlier, he had written, Unbelievable. In Virginia, at least 11 people have been arrested so far in connection with the riots, a database from the Program on Extremism at George Washington University shows. . 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. A review of online footage and photos of Nancy Pelosis office by law enforcement agents confirms that the posted photos do indeed appear to be photos of her office, the FBI affidavit says. As Capitol Police retreated down a flight of stairs that winter day, federal prosecutors said chairs tumbled down behind them. Bradley Rukstales, a Capitol rioter who pleaded guilty on Tuesday, said he was "careful" when he threw a chair during a riot. 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. My husband is a disabled (Army) veteran. Dec 31, 2022 For 25 years die-hard Michigan Wolverines fans have endured a roller coaster of agony and close calls. A former CEO and Donald Trump donor who stormed the U.S. Capitol and threw a chair in the direction of police officers during the Jan. 6 attack was sentenced to 30 days incarceration on Friday. 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 joint session of Congress was suspended until shortly after 8 p.m. Vice President Pence remained in the United States Capitol from the time he was evacuated from the Senate Chamber until the session resumed, according to the complaints. Many are charged with unlawful entry or violent entry. '", 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. A partial transcript of the interview Rukstales gave to De Mar the day he got back from Washington, D.C. is listed in the federal sentencing memo. 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. It was the second inmate death at the jail within two days. His ex-wife told a local newspaper that he was a supporter of the president. However, his actions on that day should not taint his character, his daughter wrote. "Cogensia President and CEOBrad Rukstaleshas been terminated by the company's Board of Directors effective immediately," the company announced in a release. A Chicago-area tech CEO was fired in January after participating in the Capitol riot. "It turned into chaos," Rukstales said of the riot when he talked to De Mar on Jan. 7. ", The company said Andrews "acknowledged on social media that she took part in 'storming the Capitol. Rukstales pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor offense of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building as part of a plea agreement. I'm sorry for my part in it," Rukstales told De Mar on Jan. 7. My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so, Rukstales said. 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. @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. HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. He is among 13 people charged so far in federal court in the District of Columbia, according to the release. Jan. 9 (UPI) --The man seen in a viral photo carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lectern during Wednesday's riot in the U.S. Capitol has been arrested.Local residents identified the man as Adam . She claimed he did not take part in the storming of the Capitol building. NBC Chicago could not independently reach Rukstales to verify the remarks. WASHINGTON A former suburban tech CEO was sentenced to 30 days in jail Friday for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. That makes us want to run right out and shake their little weasel wording hands: 'Our CEO, Brad Rukstales' participated in the recent Washington DC protests. Could new DNA tech crack the JonBenet Ramsey case?