Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick responds to death threats; Perkasie man charged

Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick confirmed he is the U.S. congressman that an Upper Bucks man allegedly threatened to kill after losing his health insurance.

In an Oct. 16 statement issued one day after the U.S. Attorney's Office arrested Aaron Michael McComsey, Fitzpatrick thanked law enforcement officials for their professionalism and diligence in the incident, which occurred earlier this year.

"Threats of violence against anyone, under any circumstances, are never acceptable," the statement said. "There can be no ambiguity about that. Such allegations must be taken seriously, and the judicial process must be allowed to run its course."

In the statement, Fitzpatrick, a Republican up for re-election in November, mentioned that he co-chairs

the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force, and has made strengthening the mental health system a priority.

"We must never lose sight of our responsibility to uphold the law, nor our obligation to extend compassion and support to those who may be struggling," Fitzpatrick said. "One does not diminish the other. Both reflect the values that should guide us as neighbors, as a community, and as a country.”

The federal grand jury indictment does not mention that McComsey has either a substance abuse or mental health diagnosis.

McComsey, 44, of Perkasie, was charged by indictment on Oct. 15 with two counts of threatening to assault, kidnap or murder a federal official, who was identified as a member of Congress with the initials "B.F.", according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia.

The indictment alleges that McComsey sent the congressman who represents Pennsylvania's first congressional district, which includes Perkasie, threatening emails demanding $6,000 over two days in August 

The indictment alleges McComsey knowingly threatened to assault and murder Fitzpatrick with the intent of impeding, intimidating and interfering with the representative while he was engaged in performance of his official duties. 

McComsey is accused of sending emails to the representative’s office stating that his health insurer had dropped him and Medicare doesn’t cover his medications and the federal health care program for low-income people is refusing to pay, according to the indictment.

In his first email sent Aug. 4, he demanded that Fitzpatrick transfer $6,000 to his cash app for his medications for August, and threatened to come after the congressman if his situation was not resolved. 

“I go into withdrawal in 36 hours. After that time, [the official] is no more on this earth. Fix this or he goes bye bye forever,” McComsey allegedly wrote. “He's a millionaire. Let his (expletive) pay for it. I'm so done. That man is finished.”

The following day, McComsey allegedly emailed the congressman’s office again saying that he had his schedule for the rest of summer and into the fall, and again demanding $6,000 be sent to his cash app giving a 12-hour deadline.

“I know exactly where (Fitzpatrick) will be on any given day. I have nothing else to do but plan and scheme to make sure they all pay dearly. And their families, too,” McComsey said.

This time, he allegedly added that he expected the congressman to pay him $6,000 every month after August “or I’m coming for all the liars and frauds in this country… “I have nothing left to lose…Give me my money now or face the consequences.”

If convicted, McComsey faces a maximum possible sentence of 12 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Crime and Courts Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at [e-mail]

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick responds to death threats; Perkasie man charged