Title: Right-Wing Operatives Fined $1.25 Million for Robocall Campaign Targeting Black Voters

Two right-wing political operatives, Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, have been ordered to pay fines of up to $1.25 million after being found liable for orchestrating a robocall campaign aimed at suppressing the Black vote in the 2020 election. New York Attorney General Letitia James made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that Wohl and Burkman had launched a campaign that specifically targeted around 5,500 predominantly Black New Yorkers during the summer of 2020.

Under the guise of a "civil rights organization" called "Project 1599," the robocalls sent to targeted voters falsely warned that mail-in voting would result in their personal information being shared with law enforcement agencies and credit card companies. The messages also included misleading claims that the CDC intended to use the records for mail-in voting to track individuals for mandatory vaccines. The intent of the campaign was to discourage Black voters from participating in the election.

As a result, Wohl and Burkman have been found liable and must pay a $1 million judgment to the New York attorney general's office, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and the individual plaintiffs who were harmed by their scheme. The victims of the robocall campaign experienced severe anxiety and distress, with one individual even withdrawing their voter registration.

Failure to pay at least $105,000 by December 31st, and subsequent noncompliance within 30 days, will increase the fine to $1.25 million. The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation expressed relief at the settlement and emphasized their commitment to defending the voting rights of marginalized communities.

This is not the first time Wohl and Burkman have faced legal consequences for similar actions. In August 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James reached a separate settlement with the robocalling platform responsible for disseminating Wohl and Burkman's illegal robocalls. Furthermore, the duo has faced charges in other states, including Ohio and Michigan, for launching similar robocall campaigns aimed at suppressing Black voters in the 2020 election.

The settlement agreement between Wohl, Burkman, and the plaintiffs is pending court approval. In response to the settlement, David Schwartz, attorney for Wohl and Burkman, stated that his clients are pleased to put the case behind them and focus on their families and careers.

The New York attorney general emphasized the importance of defending the right to vote and condemned the tactics employed by Wohl and Burkman, branding their campaign as "depraved and disinformation-ridden." James vowed to protect the right to vote and ensure that no one undermines it.

The actions of Wohl and Burkman have garnered attention in the past due to their unsuccessful attempts to smear individuals such as special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Elizabeth Warren with false claims. Wohl has also previously spread a false claim regarding Vice President Harris' eligibility for the presidency based on her parents' immigration status.

As these right-wing operatives face consequences for their attempts to suppress the Black vote, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the democratic process and protecting the rights of all voters.