Bradley Rukstales, who lost his job as CEO at a data analytics company over his role in the Jan 6 riot at the US Capito, pleaded guilty Tuesday after admitting to throwing a chair toward police during the attack, but telling a judge he was “careful” with it and didn’t aim at “any individual.”
After his arrest, Rukstales was fired as CEO of The Cogensia. He was charged with parading, demonstrating or picketing inside a Capitol building. He faces up to six months in prison after pleading guilty.
“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 during his plea hearing, according to a report from Law & Crime.
WUSA Channel 9 investigative reporter Scott MacFarlane, who also attended the plea hearing, reported that “Rukstales was taken to ground by an officer near (the) defensive line of police on Jan. 6, per plea agreement. Rukstales will be asked to formally acknowledge he KNEW he did not have permission to be in Capitol on Jan 6.”
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“Rukstales acknowledges throwing a chair on Jan 6, but tells the judge he didn’t throw it ‘at any individual’ … and argues he was ‘careful’ with it,” MacFarlane reported. “Judge instructs him that such an argument is more relevant at SENTENCING, not a plea hearing.”
“Online campaign contributions show Rukstales donated more than $28,000 to Republican causes – including $12,000 to President Trump through various committees,” the station reported.
Rukstales acknowledges throwing a chair on Jan 6, but tells the judge he didn't throw it "at any individual".. and argues he was "careful" with it
Judge instructs him that such an argument is more relevant at SENTENCING, not a plea hearing
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) August 31, 2021
Read Rukstales’ statement and watch the report below.
— Brad Rukstales (@brad_rukstales) January 8, 2021
