FBI arrests health care reform opponents for 'threats' to top Democrats

12 April 2012

The FBI has arrested two men who allegedly threatened prominent Democrats — including House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi — over President Barack Obama's health care reforms.

Gregory Lee Giusti, 48, of San Francisco, was expected to appear in court today after allegedly making calls to Ms Pelosi's homes and offices in the Californian city and Washington DC, as well as to her husband's business.

The charges against Giusti will be revealed in court, FBI agent Joseph Schadler said.

Another man, Charles Wilson, was arrested in Washington state, for allegedly making death threats in 16 calls to Democrat senator Patty Murray, who supported Mr Obama's health care bill.

Ms Pelosi warned last autumn that the emotional debates over health care reform could trigger violence. Her spokesmanm, Brendan Daly, today said: "The speaker thanks the FBI, the Capitol Police, House sergeant at arms and other law enforcement officials for their professionalism in this matter."

Democrat House of Representatives member Anthony Weiner, whose office received anti-Semitic messages and threats last month during the passage of the health reform legislation, said there could be further violence from extreme opponents of reform.

"There's a wackadoodle quotient that exists on the fringe over every debate. What's troubling now is these voices don't seem to be standing on the sidelines."

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