Rep. Moskowitz says police are investigating a “potential plot” against his life

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida announced Friday that he had been notified by authorities Monday of a “potential plot on my life” by a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

Moskowitz, who represents the 23rd Congressional District which includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties, placed the accusation on Xwhich was later cooperated with by police in Margate, a city in the Miami metropolitan area.

The freshman congressman was elected to a second term on Tuesday.

John Lapinski, 41, of Margate, was arrested at his home on Oct. 31 after police responded to reports of shots fired around 6:30 a.m. He was then held under the Baker Act, also known as the Florida Mental Health Act, and transferred to Broward Health Imperial Point in Fort Lauderdale. He was then taken to the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.

At the time of his arrest, Lapinski was also found to be in possession of several weapons and ammunition, as well as body armor, police said.

He faces three firearms charges related to a convicted felon and a restraining order.

“During the investigation, our detectives located several firearms and evidence indicating he may have been planning some criminal act,” police said in a news release.

Margate Police contacted the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI to assist with the investigation. The ATF is currently the lead agency for this investigation, Margate police said.

Moskowitz claimed Lapinski was arrested near the House member’s home in Parkland.

“Among other things, a manifesto was found on him, including anti-Semitic rhetoric and only my name on the ‘target’ list,” Moskowitz, who is Jewish, wrote in his social media post. “There are many more details that I do not want to make public because I do not want to interfere with an ongoing investigation.”

Lapinski has two prior convictions for resisting an officer with violence and grand theft in Lake County.

Moskowitz, 43, is a bipartisan member House task force investigating the attempted assassination of President-elect Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“I understand the failures and the importance of restoring protections to our current Commander in Chief and Vice President,” Moskowitz wrote. “At the same time, I am deeply concerned about the safety of members of Congress and the significant lack thereof when we are in the district. Regardless of our political leanings or disagreements, we all have families that we want to keep safe.”

On Tuesday, Moskowitz was elected to a second term, winning more than 52% of the vote against Republican challenger Joseph “Joe” Kaufman, a margin of about 17,500 votes.

Moskowitz has touted his ability to work with Republicans. He was elected to the House in 2022 after serving on the Broward County Commission under appointment by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

He previously served as Florida’s emergency operations manager under DeSantis, including during the pandemic in 2020. Previously, he served as a Florida state representative from 2012 to 2019. His first election was in 2006 to the Parkland City Commission, where he served. until 2012.

Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, also from Florida, said in a statement: “Political violence has no place in our country. This violent anti-Semitic hatred is despicable and must be addressed to the fullest extent of the law. I commend local and federal law enforcement agencies for acting quickly to ensure the safety of my dear colleague.”

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