The CEO of a Schaumburg-based technology company and a west suburban tattoo artist are among those charged with unlawful entry of the U.S. Capitol during Wednesday’s riot, police officials said.
Bradley Rukstales, 52, of Inverness, was arrested by Capitol police and David Fitzgerald, 48, of Roselle, was arrested by the Washington Metropolitan police. Fitzgerald also was charged with a curfew violation. Officials didn’t say whether the men entered the building or the restricted area around it.
Rukstales is the CEO of Cogensia, according to the firm’s website. He gave $5,000 to Trump’s campaign in October and is a regular contributor to Republican candidates and committees, according to the Federal Election Commission.
In a statement last night, Rukstales apologized for his actions. “In a moment of extremely poor judgment following the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, I followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to the Capitol building to see what was taking place inside,” he said.
“My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so,” Rukstales said. “I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington.”
Rukstales’ company put a statement on its Facebook page saying, “We have been informed that our CEO, Brad Rukstales, participated in the recent Washington, D.C., protests. Mr. Rukstales’ actions were his own; he was not acting on behalf of the company nor do his actions in any way reflect the policies or values of our firm. He has been placed on leave of absence while we assess the situation.”
Fitzgerald could not be reached for comment. His wife, Jeanette, said her husband, a disabled veteran, never went into the Capitol building itself. “I have no idea why he went there,” she said of the Trump rally.
The first known federal charges stemming from the riot were unsealed Thursday afternoon in a court in Washington, laying out an official account of the chaos that interrupted the Electoral College vote count.
Chicago U.S. Attorney John Lausch’s spokesman, Joseph Fitzpatrick, said, “Should we determine there is a legal nexus between the crimes committed at the Capitol and our jurisdiction here in Illinois, we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible.”
More than 90 people have been arrested by police in Washington and more arrests are likely. U.S. attorneys from across the country have vowed to find and bring to justice any residents who participated in the insurrection aimed at thwarting the peaceful transfer of power.
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