Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., revealed Friday that authorities notified him on Monday of a “possible plot” against my life by a convicted felon with a gun.
Moskowitz represents the 23rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties. Allegations posted on Xlater working with police in Margate, a city in the Miami metropolitan area.
The newly elected congressman was re-elected on Tuesday.
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John Lapinski, 41, of Margate, was arrested at his home around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 following a report of shots fired. He was subsequently detained under the Baker Act, also known as the Florida Mental Health Act, and taken to Broward Health Empire Point in Fort Lauderdale. He was transferred to the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
Lapinski was also found to be in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition as well as body armor when he was arrested, police said.
He faces three firearms charges related to being a convicted felon and a domestic injunction.
“During the course of the investigation, our detectives discovered several firearms and evidence that indicated he may be planning some type of criminal conduct,” police said in a news release.
The Margate Police Department contacted the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI to assist in the investigation. Margate police said the ATF is currently the lead agency in the investigation.
Moskowitz claimed Labinski was arrested near the Parkland House member’s home.
“A manifesto was found on him that included anti-Semitic remarks and my name was the only one on the ‘target’ list,” Moskowitz, who is Jewish, wrote in his social media post. “There are many other details that I will not disclose because I do not want to interfere with the ongoing investigation.”
Lapinski previously had two felony convictions in Lake County for resisting an officer with violence and larceny.
Moskowitz, 43, bipartisan congressman A House task force is investigating On July 13, President-elect Donald Trump was assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I understand the failure and importance of addressing the protection issues for the current Commander-in-Chief and Vice President,” Moskowitz wrote. “At the same time, I am deeply concerned about the safety of our members of Congress, which is severely lacking while we are in the district. Security. Regardless of our political affiliation or differences, we all have situations where we want to keep our families safe.”
Moskowitz was re-elected on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Joseph “Joe” Kaufman with more than 52% of the vote, a lead of about 17,500 votes.
Moskowitz touted his ability to work with Republicans. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 after serving on the Broward County Commission under Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
He previously served as Florida’s emergency operations manager under DeSantis, including during the 2020 pandemic. Prior to that, he served as a Florida state representative from 2012 to 2019. His first election was in 2006 as a member of the Parkland City Commission, where he served until 2012.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, also a Republican from Florida, said in a statement: “Political violence has no place in our country. This type of violent anti-Semitic hatred is despicable and must be treated within the fullest extent of the law.” response. I commend local and federal law enforcement for their swift action to ensure the safety of my dear colleagues.”
