Two right-wing political operatives, who launched a robocall campaign causing “severe anxiety and distress” for a New York voter and aimed to discourage Black voters in several states, have been ordered to pay a hefty fine, the New York State attorney general’s office said.
Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman were found liable in federal court last March for “transmitting false and threatening messages intended to discourage” Black voters in New York, according to a press release. Now, the pair – known for their political hoaxes – have been ordered to pay up to $1.25 million for their misconduct, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday.
In summer 2020, about 5,500 New Yorkers received robocalls falsely claiming that voting by mail would lead to their personal information being sent to law enforcement agencies, debt collectors and the government. The calls came as many states were encouraging mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic.
One New York voter who received the threatening robocall suffered “severe anxiety and distress,” leading him to withdraw his voter registration, according to James’ press release.
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation was forced to redirect significant resources to address the false claims made in the call after voters received the robocall.
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it belongs to everyone. We will not allow anyone to threaten that right,” New York Attorney General James said in a written statement. “Wohl and Burkman orchestrated a depraved and disinformation-ridden campaign to intimidate Black voters in an attempt to sway the election in favor of their preferred candidate. Now they will pay up to $1.25 million to my office, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and the individuals who were harmed by their scheme. My office will always defend the right to vote.”
Wohl and Burkman agreed to a $1 million judgment to the state…
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