Politics

Conservative Lobbyist Who Offered Reward For Info On Seth Rich Murder Violently Attacked

Mike Raust/The Daily Caller

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Jack Crowe Political Reporter
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A well-known conservative lobbyist was sprayed with a “caustic substance” by a masked attacker outside his Arlington home Tuesday, according to local police.

Jack Burkman, who made headlines in 2016 by offering a $130,000 reward for information on the mysterious murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich, was reportedly attacked Tuesday. Local police told The Washington Post they have not yet determined the perpetrator’s identity.

Burkman told WaPo he was returning from the grocery store when a man wearing a ski mask jumped out of a black SUV, sprayed him in the face with what appeared to be pepper spray, and hit him the head before speeding away. He added that he thought “the end is coming,” when he spotted the man coming up his driveway, and said the attack “seemed professional,” though he had trouble pinning down who exactly might have cause to attack him.

“You could have 10 different causal nexi,” said Burkman, who made enemies in 2014 by campaigning to ban gay players from the National Football League.

Burkman drew the ire of many in the capital by fanning Seth Rich conspiracy theories and giving them a platform on a website he created for that purpose shortly after the young staffer’s death. But the attack may have been motivated by more recent developments. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Attorney To File Lawsuit In Seth Rich Murder Mystery)

Trump campaign official Rick Gates, who is under investigation for fraud and conspiracy due to his overseas lobbying activity, recently appeared in a video shown at a fundraiser that Burkman organized to raise money for his legal defense. Gates was chastised during a recent court appearance for appearing the video as it appears to violate his gag order.

Burkman responded by publicly criticizing the Judge in two news releases and a news conference.

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