A class action lawsuit has been filed by a group of defendants from the January 6 incident against 21 Capitol Police officers and officials. Inmate Edward Jacob (Jake) Lang revealed to the conservative cable channel Real America’s Voice on Friday that the lawsuit seeks millions of dollars in damages.
On his social media profile on X (formerly known as Twitter), Lang describes himself as a “January 6 political prisoner.” He was arrested shortly after the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Lang, who was 25 years old at the time of the riot, resided in Newburgh, New York.
The FBI received information from members of the public who shared photos and videos on social media, which indicated that Lang had participated in the attack on the Capitol. These images, which Lang himself had posted, provided evidence of his involvement in the riot, as stated in an FBI affidavit from January 15, 2021.
Lang stands accused of using a dangerous weapon against Capitol Police officers and obstructing an official proceeding. According to the FBI affidavit, a video evidence revealed that he swung, thrusted, and/or jabbed a bat multiple times at the officers. Since his arrest, he has remained in prison and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Lang is currently pursuing legal action against multiple Capitol Police officers in an effort to seek compensation for the damages he and other defendants suffered during the events of January 6. During a phone interview with Real America’s Voice, he revealed that more than 78 individuals involved in the January 6 incident are seeking millions of dollars in damages for the injuries they allegedly sustained due to the actions of the Capitol Police. Lang described the experience as “horrible.”
Newsweek reached out to Lang for comment by direct messaging on X early on Saturday, as well as Capitol Police by email, but could not verify whether a lawsuit had been filed.
Lang stated in an email on X that the legal action had been taken up by prominent conservative attorneys Stefanie Lambert and Russell Newman. Newsweek reached out to Lambert’s office for further information.
According to Lang’s tweet, there are still 17 other US Capitol Police and MPD officers and officials who need to be served in the J6 Class Action Lawsuit. These individuals are being held accountable for their actions that resulted in the tragic deaths of four unarmed peaceful protestors.
According to the post, the J6 class action lawsuit summons was served to the highest ranking officer on J6, Eric Waldo. The person who made the statement seems to be referring to Deputy Chief Eric Waldow. However, he posted a picture of Waldo, who is known as the president and CEO of Washington, DC’s largest scholarship foundation, the District of Columbia College Access Program, as stated on his LinkedIn profile.
Newsweek was unable to verify this once again.
In a recent video shared by Lang on Friday, an individual is seen delivering what appears to be a “service document” to Thomas DiBiase, the general counsel at United States Capitol Police. However, DiBiase declines to accept the delivery and clarifies that it should be sent to his office instead.
Multiple casualties occurred as a result of the Capitol attack on January 6, with both law enforcement officers and Trump supporters losing their lives.
USCP Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, had confronted rioters and tragically lost his life after suffering two strokes, as reported by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Additionally, four other police officers from the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department sadly died by suicide following the riot.
According to the Washington medical examiner, two individuals in the crowd, Kevin Greeson, aged 55, and Benjamin Phillips, aged 50, passed away from natural causes during the riots. Greeson suffered a heart attack, while Phillips experienced a stroke. Additionally, Rosanne Boyland, aged 34, tragically lost her life due to an accidental overdose. Lastly, Ashli Babbitt, aged 35, was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer.
