Man charged with threatening Pennsylvania governor over order closing businesses

A Pennsylvania man has been charged with allegedly threatening Gov. Tom Wolf (D) over his order to close businesses in the state during the coronavirus pandemic.

York County authorities said Tuesday that Rocco Anthony Naples, 28, was charged with a felony for the alleged threats, as well as misdemeanor counts including harassment and terroristic threats, local affiliate Fox 29 reported.

According to charging documents obtained by the York Dispatch, Naples called Wolf’s former business, Wolf Home Products, on Friday. An employee who answered the phone said Naples “was angry about Gov. Wolf closing their companies but keeping his open.” According to the employee, Naples allegedly said that he “and a couple of his buddies have a bullet waiting for [Wolf] if he keeps them closed,” the newspaper reported.

The governor’s press secretary, Lyndsay Kensinger, said in a statement to York Dispatch that Wolf has not been associated with his former business since 2015 and Wolf Home Products does not have a state waiver to remain open at this time.

“Threatening violence, attempting violence, or committing violence is not only against these constitutional principles and laws of the commonwealth, but reprehensible, criminal and will be fully prosecuted by this office,” York County District Attorney Dave Sunday said in a statement reported by a local NBC affiliate.

Wolf’s administration has faced increasing criticism from GOP-managed counties throughout the state, as some local authorities have reopened despite the statewide stay-at-home orders in place.

On Monday, Wolf threatened to withhold federal aid to counties opening before the state’s orders are lifted.

President Trump stood in support of Pennsylvania residents wanting to reopen, asserting in a tweet earlier this week that “Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes.”

The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now, and they are fully aware of what that entails. The Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes. They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them. Don’t play politics. Be safe, move quickly!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2020