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. November 4, 2021 / 9:57 PM First published on November 4, 2021 / 9:57 PM. Fitzgerald's wife told NBC 5 her husband was there "to support [President Donald Trump" and was "just trying to leave" when he was arrested. There was nothing negative going on at all.. My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so. Rukstales, CEO of Schaumburg-based tech company Cogensia, was one of the people arrested by police after a group of domestic terrorists stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attack. 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. Bradley F. Rukstales is a white man from Illinois, United States. The death camps gate read, Arbeit mact frei, which translates in English to work makes freedom, the FBI affidavit states. 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. 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. 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. 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. Then on Friday, the company announced he had been terminated by the Board of Directors "effective immediately.". He was further ordered to pay Restitution of $500 and Special Assessment of $10. Rukstales was arrested on 1/11/21. He called it "the single worst decision of my life" and said he regrets taking part. He is among 13 people charged so far in federal court in the District of Columbia, according to the release. Rukstales said he was. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When it comes to personal life, Bradley Rukstales hasn't spoken much about his love life. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Rukstales, in a letter to the judge before his sentencing, claimed that he went into the U.S. Capitol thinking that there may be someplace for us to protest inside but was obviously mistaken. He wrote that he let his emotions to get the better of me but believed in civic engagement, while writing that he didnt want to get into the details of his political beliefs and ideology. Mellis was arrested and taken into custody this week at his home in Williamsburg, according to reports. Illinois man calls joining Capitol siege his 'single worst personal When I learned about the rally on January 6, it seemed to me that momentum was growing, and that the event would be an important constitutional moment in our republics history. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The right IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. Fitzgerald's wife told NBC 5 her husband was there "to . Capitol riots: Police arrest man carrying Pelosi's lectern Former Illinois tech CEO pleads guilty in Capitol riot case Steele-Smith was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do and knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of government business or official functions. LaRock attended the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally in D.C. but said he did not enter the U.S. Capitol. Four people died, one of thema woman from San Diegowho was shot and killed inside the Capitol. 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. It said that, following the declaration of a 6 p.m. curfew in D.C., a Metropolitan Police officer was escorting people past a police line at 7:25 p.m. and noticed a bulge on Alberts right hip. It said Alberts was also wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a backpack. A Chicago real estate agent and admitted big Trump supporter also lost her job for posting on social media about storming the Capitol, the Chicago Tribune reported. Here are 13 more things about the Illinois native: 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. Four people died, one of thema woman from San Diegowho was shot and killed inside the Capitol. 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. Others were photographed ransacking the building. On Wednesday, Rukstales was arrested on the upper level of the Capitol, near the U.S. House of Representatives, during the riot by supporters of President Donald Trump, court records show.. 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, he said in part. @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. Not all of his family agreed with his behavior or his politics, however. Fitzgerald was not among the 13 charged in federal court Thursday. David Fitzgerald, of Roselle, also faces charges of unlawful entry and a curfew violation, according to Metropolitan police. 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. A suburban tech company executive who was among dozens of people arrested Wednesday in Washington, D.C., after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol has been charged in federal court and fired from his job. More than 90 people have been arrested by police in Washington and more arrests are likely. The documents said that at about 2 p.m. certain individuals in the crowd forced their way through, up, and over the barricades and officers of the U.S. Capitol Police, and the crowd advanced to the exterior facade of the building. 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.". In a statement Thursday night, Rukstales apologized for his actions. Former Inverness Tech CEO Bradley Rukstales Gets 30 Days In Prison For 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. Chicago U.S. Attorney John Lauschs spokesman, Joseph Fitzpatrick, said, Should we determine there is a legal nexus between the crimes committed at the Capitol and our jurisdiction here in Illinois, we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible.. Funny. Subsequently, Cindy Fitchett, Michael Curzio, Douglas Sweet, Terry Brown, Bradley Rukstales, and Thomas Gallgher were all issued Citations to Appear in the District of Columbia Superior Court on a later date.. He had been the chief executive officer of Schaumburg-based tech company Cogensia. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. He had been the CEO of Cogensia for 19 years, according to his LinkedIn profile. I have no excuse for my actions and wish that I could take them back.. De Mar then asked Rukstales if he was inside the Capitol the day before. Earlier this year, Rukstales, of Inverness, pleaded guilty to the following charges for taking part in the Capitol riot. Bradley Rukstales, 53, of Inverness was sentenced to 30 days in prison and ordered to pay $500 in restitution. Brad Rukstales is an Illinois businessman who served as the CEO of data analytics company Cogensia and was among those arrested in Washington, D.C., for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol on. 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.. Sean Carlo Cordon, the third rioter sentenced Friday, received just probation. Theres a curfew, another officer said. I'm trying to figure out how I could be there all day and miss all this violence and destruction I'm seeing on tv. Bradley Rukstales pled guilty to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol. I think very highly of Tom and Sharon.". 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. When the officer told colleagues Alberts had a gun, he allegedly tried to flee but was caught by officers. Individuals in the crowd forced entry into the U.S. Capitol, including by breaking windows.. 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. Prosecutors are accusing Caldwell, 66, of planning anti-government activities with members of the extremist militant group, dating back to the aftermath of the November election. The six individuals, like others in the larger crowd, willfully refused the order to leave, the police officer said. Youre under arrest.. Bradley Rukstales, a Capitol rioter who pleaded guilty on Tuesday, said he was "careful" when he threw a chair during a riot. Another suburban Chicago man, a self-employed tattoo artist from Roselle, was also arrested in Washington on Wednesday. Fitzgerald and others who were arrested along with him had been given at least three warnings to vacate at about 7:15 p.m. local time but did not comply, according to the police report obtained Thursday by WBEZ and D.C. court records. Many are charged with unlawful entry or violent entry. Former CEO of Schaumburg firm becomes first Illinoisan to plead guilty On Feb. 12, Steele-Smith pleaded not guilty. 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. Eric Munchel. (U.S. DIstrict Court records). 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. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington. Rukstales pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor offense of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building as part of a plea agreement. 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. Have a tip or story idea? OK, you have to stay in here, the officer said. Today, it all becomes worth it. His wife, Jeanette, said her husband, a disabled veteran, never went into the Capitol building itself. (Libby Andrews). This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Emailus. Bradley Rukstales (Bradley F. Rukstales) is the former president and CEO of Cogensia, a data analytics company. Brad Rukstales Pleads Guilty in U.S. Capitol Breach Case - Law & Crime 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. As with dozens of other defendants who pleaded guilty to that charge, three other charges were dropped at sentencing under the terms of the plea deal. He was fired by the company the same day he was hit with federal charges for his role in the riot. He has been placed on leave of absence while we assess the situation.. ", The company said Andrews "acknowledged on social media that she took part in 'storming the Capitol. In 2020, Rukstales donated around $27,000 to several Republican candidates, including $2,600 to Donald Trump 's campaign. 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. Some defendants are accused of bringing weapons to Capitol Hill. 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.. WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Illinois CEO Fired from Suburban Company Following Arrest in US Capitol "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. The chief executive officer of a company in Schaumburg and a tattoo artist from Roselle were among supporters of President Donald Trump who got arrested after a violent mob stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C.,this week. 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 52-year-old was the CEO of Schaumburg-based Cogensia, which acknowledged his arrest in a statement on social media and announced later Friday that he was fired. Detectives were questioning a person who was inside the home at the time. His wife, Jeanette Fitzgerald, didn't 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. My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so, he wrote in his statement. 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. Andrews was fired by @properties after posting on social media about "storming the Capitol," though she said she never entered the building and was unaware anything illegal was happening. He did not return messages but his wife said he had spent the night in jail in Washington. Following their arrests for their alleged part in the insurrection, Robertson and Fracker were both fired by the police department. Brad Rukstales (@brad_rukstales) January 8, 2021. 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. Bradley Rukstales, 53, of Inverness threw a . SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - A man whose role in the U.S. Capitol riot caused his firing at an Illinois tech company pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor. Chicago CEO arrested, apologizes for entering Capitol during riots - Yahoo! I had no idea people were breaking in and that destruction was happening, she said. '", 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. 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. 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. Campaign finance records show that he contributed thousands of dollars to Donald Trumps 2020 campaign. The former chief executive of a tech company in suburban Chicago who lost his job after he threw a chair inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot was sentenced Friday to 30 days imprisonment.. Rukstales is the CEO of a suburban Illinois company. 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. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time - and I regret my part in that. CEO who threw chair inside Capitol on Jan. 6 gets jail time Former Tech CEO Accused of Throwing Chair Sentenced in - Insider Its the same charge former Attorney General William Barrs Justice Department told prosecutors to consider levying against those who caused violence at protests last summer over the killings of Black Americans by police. 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. Lehr noted that Rukstales traveled from Illinois to attend former President Donald Trumps rally, which devolved into a riot. View the profiles of professionals named "Rukstales" on LinkedIn. Part of HuffPost Politics. Sidorski was charged with four counts related to violent entry into the restricted grounds of the Capitol, CNN reported. 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 The records show Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty Thursday and was ordered to stay out of Washington until his next court date, set for June. PAWS Chicago Pet of the Week: Meet Benny! FACT CHECK: Were No Arrests Made Inside The Capitol On January 6? There were signs of a violent riot everywhere, and he willingly joined it, federal prosecutors wrote. Rioter who brought his 10-year-old to Capitol gets prison time The pair were among six individuals positioned toward the front of a crowd close to Capitol Police Officers who were responding to the rioters, a Capitol Police officer said in a statement of fact. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington.. 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.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Both law enforcement and Trump supporters deployed chemical irritants during the hourslong occupation of the complex before it was cleared Wednesday evening. 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. The complaint against Alberts alleges he was identified using a Maryland drivers license. The Chicago-based firm @properties said on Twitter it fired Libby Andrews after she posted on social media about storming the Capitol, saying the company does not condone violence, destruction or illegal activities., Chicago real estate agent Libby Andrews, foreground, poses at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. ", The company said Andrews "acknowledged on social media that she took part in 'storming the Capitol. I have come to realize the weight of my actions, and immensely regret following others into the Capitol. Then-Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, who stepped into the top Justice Department job when Barr resigned last month, told prosecutors in a memo in September that they should consider the use of seditious conspiracy charges against violent demonstrators, saying it does not require proof of a plot to overthrow the U.S. government despite what the name might suggest.. It was like a party. Rioter who brought his 10-year-old to Capitol gets prison time. U.S. Capitol Police reported Rukstales arrest on Thursday. Dave LaRock, a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates who represents western Loudoun County as well as Clarke and Frederick Counties. 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. Ives, a former. Controversy over display by wife of @properties CEO reignites after Trump rally. 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. Be there, will be wild! he tweeted Dec. 19 and went directly to the Capitol from the airport. "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. CEO Who Threw Chair Inside Capitol on Jan. 6 Gets Jail Time Ill. Republican To Return Capitol Riot Defendant's Money - WBEZ Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols also ordered Bradley Rukstales of Inverness to pay $500 in restitution. Rukstales emphasized that latter point. "It turned into chaos," Rukstales said of the riot when he talked to De Mar on Jan. 7. 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I have no excuse for my actions and wish that I could take them back.. Previously a reporter for Courthouse News, he has appeared as a guest on NewsNation, NBC, MSNBC, CBS's "Inside Edition," BBC, NPR, PBS, Sky News, and other networks. 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. That was not his only public statement on the matter. (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. I think its horrible that somebody broke their way in, Andrews said, adding that she had already gotten another job offer. 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. "Cogensia President and CEOBrad Rukstaleshas been terminated by the company's Board of Directors effective immediately," the company announced in a release. As described by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr during a plea agreement hearing on Tuesday morning, Rukstaless participation was less passive. . Fitzgerald could not be reached for comment. The company said in a news release that Rukstales actions were inconsistent with the core values of Cogensia. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols also ordered Bradley Rukstales, of Inverness, Illinois, to pay $500 in restitution, court records show. However, his actions on that day should not taint his character, his daughter wrote. There are 20+ professionals named "Rukstales", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. 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.