Latest news with #WilliamBraddock
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN: ‘Luna's political rival gets three years in the slammer'
Just when you think Republican politics can't get any more unhinged, along comes William Braddock – a Florida congressional candidate who thought the path to Capitol Hill involved hiring a Russian-Ukrainian hit squad. The 41-year-old was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to threatening to murder rival Anna Paulina Luna, his opponent in the 2021 GOP primary. On a recorded call, Braddock went complete Bond villain, saying, "I'll be the next congressman for this district. Period. End of discussion. And anybody going up against me is f****** ignorant for doing so. (Luna's) ignorant, so I don't have a problem taking her out, but I'm not going to do that dirty work myself, obviously." He then fled to the Philippines before eventually surrendering in Manila last year. Meanwhile, Luna was re-elected, proving that voters prefer politicians who campaign with lawn signs, not foreign hitmen. A Rhode Island couple shelled out £480 for a limited-edition Trump watch, but what arrived was a golden tribute to... Rump. Tim Petit bought the bling from ' as a gift for his wife, only to discover the "T" had gone AWOL. Instead of honouring the president, the label proudly declared allegiance to someone's backside. Luxury? Sure. Presidential? Not quite. Most 5Ks require good shoes and stretchy shorts. This one just requires courage... and maybe a little sunscreen. Tracksuits are optional at the Carolina Foothills Resort's Buck Creek Streak on June 14, but birthday suits are strongly encouraged. So far, a record 161 runners have signed up to let it all hang out for the clothing-optional trail race at the nudist resort in northern Spartanburg County. "You can go anywhere and do a 5K, but you can't go anywhere and run a 5K naked," said Tom Crowder, a lifelong nudist and board member at the resort. "If you go to the turkey trot and drop your drawers, you're probably gonna be arrested." New York news anchor Olivia Jaquith went into labour just before going live - but like a true pro, she chose headlines over hospital beds. "We do have some breaking news this morning, literally," co-anchor Julia Dunn quipped. "Olivia's water has broken, and she is anchoring the news now in active labour." "Early labour," Jaquith calmly clarified, still smiling. She finished the entire broadcast before even thinking about contractions. Meteorologist Craig Adams joked he might need to carry her to the hospital himself - forecast: 100 per cent chance of baby. Snack time got a bit more spirited than usual at a Pennsylvania kindergarten after a student reportedly handed out Jell-O shots to classmates. The Greater Johnstown School District confirmed the boozy mix-up, saying one kid shared the alcoholic treats with three others. Staff intervened quickly, and the youngsters were checked by the school nurse before being taken to the hospital "out of an abundance of caution". Superintendent Dr Amy Arcurio called it an "isolated incident." However, local authorities are now trying to figure out how a five-year-old got hold of party supplies usually reserved for college spring break. A Texas man is taking Whataburger to court after a surprise ingredient left him with a not-so-happy meal. Demery Ardell Wilson filed a lawsuit in Harris County, claiming the burger chain was negligent when it served him onions, despite his no-onion request, which triggered an allergic reaction and sent him seeking medical care. According to the suit, Wilson says Whataburger "failed to act in accordance with the appropriate standard of care," which apparently includes listening when someone says, "Hold the onions." For his upset, Wilson wants just under $1 million. Whataburger denied Wilson's allegations in a separate court document filed on May 16, demanding "strict proof" of his assertions.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Ex-congressional candidate gets 3 years for threatening to have opponent killed
Tampa, Fla. — A former Florida Republican congressional candidate accused of stalking and plotting to have his primary opponent murdered by a purported foreign hit squad was sentenced Wednesday to three years in federal prison. William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to sending an interstate transmission of a threat to injure. In 2021, Braddock and U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna were both candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Luna eventually won the primary and later the general election. She was re-elected last year. Anna Paulina Luna and William Braddock during a court hearing in June 2021 in Clearwater, Fla. Chris Urso / Tampa Bay Times via AP Braddock spent months disparaging Luna and attempting to inject himself into her life, investigators said. During a June 2021 telephone call with Luna's friend, GOP activist Erin Olszewski, Braddock threatened to have Luna murdered by a "Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" if she continued to poll well in the race for the 13th District. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., speaking in front a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Capitol Hill on Nov. 19, 2024. Ben Curtis / AP Politico reported at the time that Braddock said the hit squad could kill Luna within 24 hours. "Luna's going to go down and I hope it's by herself," Braddock says in the recording, according to Politico, which said it had obtained the recording. "For the better or the good of the majority of the people, we've got to sacrifice the few." According to Politico, Braddock described the "hit squad" as being armed for "close-battle combat" to make sure nothing was left to chance. There was no evidence that Braddock, a former Marine, had such contacts in foreign organized crime or took any steps to carry out a murder plot. Later that year, Braddock flew to Thailand and eventually settled in the Philippines, officials said. He remained there until surrendering to authorities in Manila in 2023. He was taken back to the U.S. last fall to face trial.
Washington Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
A former Florida Republican congressional candidate gets 3 years for threatening primary opponent
TAMPA, Fla. — A former Florida Republican congressional candidate accused of stalking and plotting to have his primary opponent murdered by a purported foreign hit squad was sentenced Wednesday to three years in federal prison. William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to sending an interstate transmission of a threat to injure.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
A former Florida Republican congressional candidate gets 3 years for threatening primary opponent
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A former Florida Republican congressional candidate accused of stalking and plotting to have his primary opponent murdered by a purported foreign hit squad was sentenced Wednesday to three years in federal prison. William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to sending an interstate transmission of a threat to injure. In 2021, Braddock and U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna were both candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Luna eventually won the primary and later the general election. She was re-elected last year. Braddock spent months disparaging Luna and attempting to inject himself into her life, investigators said. During a June 2021 telephone call with Luna's friend, GOP activist Erin Olszewski, Braddock threatened to have Luna murdered by a 'Russian-Ukrainian hit squad' if she continued to poll well in the race for the 13th District. There was no evidence that Braddock, a former Marine, had such contacts in foreign organized crime or took any steps to carry out a murder plot. Later that year, Braddock flew to Thailand and eventually settled in the Philippines, officials said. He remained there until surrendering to authorities in Manila in 2023. He was taken back to the U.S. last fall to face trial.
