FBI arrests California man on suspicion of threatening Nancy Pelsoi
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A California man has been arrested on suspicion of threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the second such case linked to the recently passed healthcare insurance overhaul.
FBI officials confirmed the arrest but refused to give any details, pending an appearance by the suspect in court. The case is under court seal, said an official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the case.
The arrest was first reported by the Associated Press.
After the healthcare insurance overhaul bill was passed last month, Democrats said about a dozen lawmakers had received threatening calls about their votes. In one case in Virginia, a home’s fuel line was cut when the home was incorrectly identified on the Internet as belonging to a Congressman who voted for the healthcare bill.
On Tuesday, authorities announced they had charged a Washington state man who allegedly made threatening calls to Sen. Patty Murray, who like Pelosi, is a Democrat who supported the healthcare bills.
Charges also have been filed against a Philadelphia man who allegedly made a YouTube video threatening Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor, of Virginia. The Republican leader opposed the healthcare bills.
In the case involving Pelosi, the AP reported that the suspect made dozens of calls to the speaker’s homes in California and Washington, as well as to her husband’s business office. In the calls, the suspect allegedly recited her home address and said if she wanted to see it again, she would not support the healthcare overhaul bill.
-- Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal
