What Happened: Federal prosecutors charged Scott Bolger with transmitting threats in interstate commerce and making false statements after he allegedly sent a threatening Google Voice text to Richard Grenell on Dec. 23. How He Was Identified: Investigators traced the Google Voice account to Bolger using a recovery phone number. Current Status: Bolger remains in custody and faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Virginia Man Charged After Alleged Death Threat To Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell
Richard Grenell stands onstage ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 14, 2024. - Brian Snyder/Reuters
The Justice Department on Tuesday charged a Virginia man, Scott Bolger, after federal prosecutors say he sent a threatening text message to presidential envoy and Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell.
Charges And Allegations
According to a Justice Department press release, Bolger is accused of "transmitting threats in interstate commerce and making false statements." Prosecutors say the message was sent on December 23 using a Google Voice number.
How Authorities Identified The Suspect
Federal agents traced the Google Voice account to Bolger after the account listed his personal phone number as a recovery number, the court filing says. Law enforcement officers visited Bolger's apartment the next day to interview him. The filing states he initially denied his identity and gave the name "Brian Black" before eventually admitting who he was and acknowledging that he had searched online for Grenell's phone number, called to confirm it and then sent the threatening text via Google Voice.
Victim Statement
“In my current role as a Presidential Envoy, I have been attacked and harassed by people who don’t know me and who simply want to leave nasty, rude and angry messages because I don’t share their political viewpoint. But I strongly believe it is their right to be bitter and angry. I understand the passion. And I think the freedom to be rude and angry is a cherished right.”
“But today is much different. Today we are dealing with someone who went far beyond sharing his angry opinion. Today we see a man who wants to kill someone because of their political differences.”
That victim statement from Grenell was provided to CNN by the Justice Department and was read aloud in court.
Legal Consequences And Context
Bolger faces up to five years in prison if convicted. He remains in custody pending trial. His attorney declined to comment to CNN.
The incident occurs amid heightened attention on the Kennedy Center as former President Donald Trump and allies, including Grenell, have been involved in efforts to overhaul the institution. CNN has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment.
Background On Richard Grenell
During President Trump’s first term, Grenell served as U.S. ambassador to Germany and briefly as acting director of national intelligence. Grenell confirmed on the social platform X that he was the target of the threat and publicly thanked several officials involved in the investigation.
CNN correspondent Hannah Rabinowitz contributed reporting to this story.
