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Professional-Israel Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov — who was arrested final month for allegedly toting a gun on her waistband whereas observing a pro-Palestinian rally — determined to get a firearm license after coping with relentless sexual harassment, dying threats and stalkers, her lawyer informed The Submit.
“She has respectable and confirmed causes to be afraid for her private security.” Vernikov’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, stated Thursday after his shopper was arraigned on a cost of felony possession of a .9mm pistol whereas supporting Jewish college students counter-protesting an Oct. 12 anti-Israel rally at CUNY’s Brooklyn Faculty.
“This single, weak lady felt like the one approach she may defend herself initially was to take self-defense lessons, and because the harassment by males received stronger she decided to buy a gun and did so legally.”
The Republican lawmaker received her concealed carry license in September after her utility was accepted in July.
Nevertheless, it’s unlawful in New York State to have a firearm in a delicate location reminiscent of faculty grounds or a protest.
The threats in opposition to her have intensified for the reason that arrest, in response to Aidala.
One handwritten observe despatched to Vernikov final week on Christmas-themed stationery informed her “Return to Ukraine, you f-ing c—t! Get out of our nation.”
Vernikov’s camp supplied a sequence of further voicemails, letters, texts, and different sadistic correspondence the councilwoman has obtained this previous 12 months.
In a single April voicemail to her workplace, an unidentified man refers to Vernikov as “Esther” – doubtless a dig at her being Jewish – and warns in a vile, expletive-laden message that he plans to rape her.
“I’m going to . . . rape you and contact you’re a–gap after which contact your mouth,” the person says. “I’m coming for you . . . you silly okay–e whore.”
In July, Matthew Penberg, 40, of Virginia was reportedly arrested for leaving threatening messages on the workplace’s voicemail, nevertheless it’s unclear if it’s associated to the identical message.
In August, Vernikov was caught on digital camera fuming after a creep snuck up behind her, grabbed her, and kissed her on the cheek whereas she was being interviewed by a CBS reporter in Brighton Seashore.
The alleged kissing bandit, Pavel Rozhkov, 39, was arrested final month and pled not responsible to forcible touching and different sexual assault fees.
On Thursday, a Brooklyn decide issued a short lived restraining order prohibiting Rozhkov from contacting or approaching Vernikov.
Vernikov, who didn’t submit a plea at Thursday’s arraignment, is due again in courtroom on Jan. 24 after being launched with out bail. She is in search of re-election Nov. 7.
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