Law enforcement officers are investigating growing death threats and violence against California Governor Gavin Newsom, his family and the wineries, shops and other businesses he founded
SACRAMENTO, California – Police officers are investigating the growing threats of death and violence against California Governor Gavin Newsom, his family and the wineries, stores and other businesses he founded.
A voice message and e-mails provided to Sacramento Bee contained abusive graphic language about Newsom, violent sexual threats against his wife and a reference to his children. The newspaper said a communication included a threat to burn down one of the wineries owned by the PlumpJack Group, the hospitality company Newsom founded in 1992, with customers inside.
Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for Newsom’s Emergency Services Office, said he could not answer specific questions about the threats, but confirmed that security agencies are investigating.
“We can confirm that we are aware of these threats,” wrote Ferguson in a statement. “Any threats against elected officials, including public or private property, are taken seriously and closely monitored by the appropriate local, state or federal authorities.”
The Democratic governor is being targeted for a recall effort by political opponents irritated by his aggressive approach to the coronavirus outbreak. Newsom received much praise when it issued the first state home stay order last spring, but there has been growing public unrest over subsequent health orders that closed schools and businesses, and investigations continue into a massive unemployment fraud scandal .
False rumors have spread online that Newsom has given coronavirus aid money to his own businesses. In fact, the PlumpJack Group received about $ 2.8 million in loans through the Pay Check Protection Program administered by the federal government, not California.
Newsom placed all of his businesses in blind custody when he took office to reduce potential conflicts of interest. The trust legally prevents you from getting involved in day-to-day business operations or from participating in buying and selling decisions.