Kenna Betancourt/AFP/Getty Images
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, May 1, 2024. A consultant working with the team coordinating Kennedy’s ballot access efforts was arrested April 27 and charged with assault and criminal mischief. Obstruction of breathing.
CNN
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A high-ranking voting access consultant for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign was indicted on assault charges in Manhattan last week, the New York City Police Department told CNN.
Trent Poole, a consultant who works closely with a team coordinating access to the ballot for independent candidates, was arrested early last Saturday at Manhattan’s SoHo Grand Hotel and charged with assault and obstruction of breathing. He was indicted. A New York City Police Department spokesperson told CNN that an unidentified 25-year-old woman reported that after a verbal altercation, Poole “wrapped his hands around her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe, and then grabbed her with a clenched fist.” The woman refused medical treatment at the scene.
Poole’s attorney told CNN that Poole was released on bail Saturday evening. His first court appearance is scheduled for June. The arrest was first reported by Mediaite.
Kennedy campaign spokeswoman Stephanie Speer said in a statement to CNN, “Trent is a contractor. He told us the alleged incident never occurred.”
CNN reached out to Poole, who referred the inquiry to his attorney. Mr. Poole’s attorney, Gregory Esposito, said in a statement to CNN: Trent Poole is innocent of all charges and looks forward to proving that in court. ”
Pools have played a key role in campaigns’ ballot access strategies. Campaign officials told CNN that he worked closely with Paul Rossi, the campaign’s chief voting access attorney, and voting access director Nick Branna, who have navigated legal challenges in numerous states. They said they have worked together to develop strategies for various states.
Poole’s company, Accelerate 2020, joined the Kennedy campaign in a federal lawsuit in Utah seeking to extend the deadline for independent candidates to apply for access to the state’s ballot. Rossi served as Poole’s representative before joining the Kennedy campaign.
The Kennedy campaign paid Accelerate 2020 nearly $390,000 in campaign consulting fees, according to federal campaign finance records. Mr. Poole helped the campaign incorporate professional petition circulators into its mostly volunteer signature-gathering efforts, two people familiar with the campaign told CNN.
American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting Mr. Kennedy, paid $1.1 million this year for ballot access work to Public Appeal LLC, a company founded by Mr. Poole and his brother, public records show.
CNN has reached out to American Values 2024 for comment.
