ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Rochester-area man has been arrested and charged with threatening New York State Senator Charles Schumer and California Congressman Adam Schiff, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say 57-year-old Salvatore Lippa II, of Greece, was charged by a criminal complaint with threatening to assault and murder a federal official on account of the performance of their official duties, and interstate communication of a threat.
The Assistant U.S. Attorney states that Lippa allegedly left a threatening voicemail, which included a death threat, at the Washington, D.C. office of Congressman Schiff on January 23, 2020.
Senator Schumer’s office in Albany received a threatening voicemail on February 4, 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Both threats were reported to the United States Capitol Police and an investigation was started. Investigators traced both calls back to Lippa.
According to the U.S. Attorney, Lippa admitted to making the calls to Special Agents and says he was upsete about the impeachment proceedings.
“The rights secured in our Constitution carry with them certain responsibilities,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “When it comes to the First Amendment, that responsibility includes the obligation not to threaten to kill others. This Office will remain vigilant in our effort to uphold the rule of law and to reinforce the ideal that in America the entire concept of self-governance is fundamentally predicated on the responsibility that each of us has to control and govern our own behaviors.”
If convicted, Lippa faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
