Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, known for orchestrating a robocall campaign targeting Black voters during the 2020 election, have settled with New York Attorney General Letitia James. They have agreed to pay $1.25 million as part of the settlement.
Attorney General James emphasized the importance of protecting the right to vote and condemned the duo’s campaign aimed at intimidating Black voters and influencing election outcomes.
Jacob Wohl With Jack Burkman (Credits: Michigan Advance)
The settlement includes a consent decree prohibiting Wohl and Burkman from creating or sponsoring any robocalls or mass communications that could intimidate voters in future elections. This decree remains in effect for eight years.
During the 2020 election, Wohl and Burkman used robocalls to spread misinformation about mail-in voting to thousands of predominantly Black voters in multiple states. The calls contained false claims about voter databases, police tracking, credit card companies, and even the CDC’s involvement in mail-in voting.
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl (Credits: The Daily Dot)
The duo has faced legal consequences for their actions, including a federal judge’s ruling against them in 2023 and a proposed $5 million fine by the Federal Communications Commission. They also pleaded guilty to telecommunications fraud in Ohio and have a history of fraudulent activities targeting prominent Democratic figures.
Burkman, a former lawyer, relinquished his law license in January 2024. Both individuals have a track record of engaging in smear campaigns and spreading false allegations against public figures. The settlement with the New York Attorney General marks a vibrant legal repercussion for their voter suppression tactics and disinformation campaigns.
