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Marc Kasowitz reaches an interview on June 8, after the testament of fired FBI Director James Comey. (Zach Gibson/Bloomberg through Getty Images)

ProPublica’s ongoing protection of the 45th President.Marc Kasowitz, President Trump’s personal lawyer on the Russia case, threatened a stranger in a string of profanity-laden emails Wednesday night.The male, a retired public relations professional

in the western United States who asked not to be identified, read ProPublica’s< a href ="https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-russia-lawyer-marc-kasowitz-alcohol-security-clearance"> story this week on Kasowitz and sent out the attorney an e-mail with the subject line:”Resign Now.”Kasowitz replied with series of angry messages sent in between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern time. One read: “I’m on you now. You are fucking with me now Let’s see who you are View your back, bitch. “In another email, Kasowitz composed:”Call me. Don’t be scared, you piece of shit. Stand up. If you don’t call, you’re just scared. “And later on:”I already know where you live , I’m on you. You might also call me. You will see me. I promise. Bro.”Kasowitz’s representative, Michael Sitrick, stated Thursday he could not immediately reach Kasowitz for comment.ProPublica validated the male’s phone number matched his stated identity. Technical information in the emails, such as IP addresses and names of intermediate mail servers, likewise reveal the emails came from Kasowitz’s firm. In one e-mail, Kasowitz gave the guy a cell phone number that is not extensively offered. We verified Kasowitz uses that number.The exchange began after the man saw our

story featured last night on the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC. We reported that Kasowitz is not looking for a security clearance despite the fact that the Russia case includes a substantial quantity of classified material.Experts stated Kasowitz might have trouble getting a security clearance since of what multiple sources described as a current history of alcoholic abuse. Former employees also stated Kasowitz had participated in behavior that made them uncomfortable.Since the story was published, his spokesman provided a statement contesting numerous parts of the story: “Marc Kasowitz has not fought with alcoholism,” Sitrick wrote. “He has not come into the workplace inebriateded, lawyers have actually not needed to go across the street to the dining establishment during the workday to speak with Kasowitz on work matters.”

The rigorous background examination that goes into getting security clearance also considers “any info appropriate to self-control, sincerity, discretion, sound judgment, [and] reliability.”

The exchange of e-mails Wednesday began at 9:28 p.m. Eastern when the male sent out the following message to Kasowitz’s company account.

5 minutes later, Kasowitz responded with two words:

Fifteen minutes after that, Kasowitz sent a 2nd email:

The man reacted politely:

However Kasowitz continued to harangue him:

Then, simply 33 minutes after the guy’s initial e-mail, Kasowitz sent a 4th reaction, describing his own Jewish heritage and the man’s name, which he presumed to be Jewish.

The male told us that the email exchange disturbed him so greatly he forwarded it to the FBI so there would be a written record in case Kasowitz followed through on the threat.Experts in the laws on

harassment and online threats varied on whether Kasowitz’s e-mails might put him in legal jeopardy.When considering whether words constitute a true

danger versus protected speech,”the danger needs to be trustworthy and the individual needs to intend to make the victim worry imminent physical damage,” said Danielle Citron, a University of Maryland law professor and author of a book on online harassment.Citron pointed in specific to Kasowitz’s declarations:”I currently understand where you live”and”you will see me. I assure.” She stated:”That’s exceptionally troubling language. If I’m a district attorney I’m going to believe difficult about that.”Ron Kuby, a New york city attorney who argued a case that reversed a part of the state’s harassment law on complimentary speech grounds, said he believed Kasowitz had actually not violated the law with his missives.”When Kasowitz says things like’I currently understand where you live ‘he is inching closer to the line.

In my view– as someone who despises the Trump administration, but who has prosecuted these concerns– he is well on the legal side of the line.”For over 15 years, Trump has actually occasionally retained Kasowitz, who has cultivated a tough-guy image.The New york city Times reported this week that the relationship in between Kasowitz and the Trump White Home had soured which Kasowitz might resign. Kasowitz’s representative informed ProPublica Wednesday: “The NYT story is not precise. “Kasowitz’s company was likewise demanded malpractice this week by a former customer in a billing dispute.Jeremy Merrill and Jesse Eisinger contributed reporting.

Source

https://www.propublica.org/article/marc-kasowitz-trump-lawyer-threat-emails-maddow/