A former federal bureaucrat and a nonprofit executive have been arrested and charged with vandalizing Tesla vehicles in Washington, D.C., according to a report by The Washington Post.
Justin Fisher, 49, and his wife, Emily Fisher, 50, face charges of defacing private property. Justin Fisher is a former employee of the Government Accountability Office, and Emily Fisher was the chief strategy officer at the Smart Electric Power Alliance, though she is no longer listed on their website.
Authorities allege that the couple vandalized Tesla vehicles in and around the Capitol Hill neighborhood, writing anti-Elon Musk slogans and statements on them. One of the targeted vehicles reportedly belonged to an elementary school teacher.
READ: Tesla Owners Laugh Last: Sentry Mode Exposes Vandal Army
The vandalism is said to be connected to protests by some liberals and left-wing groups against Tesla and its showrooms, reportedly due to Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce government spending.
Reported messages scrawled on the vehicles include phrases like “Go Doge I support Musk killing the dept of Education,” “I love Musk and hate the Fed Gov’t,” and “Ask me about my support of Nazis.” The targeted vehicles were primarily located within a ten-block radius of the couple’s residence.
Authorities are investigating the incidents as potential hate crimes. In Washington, D.C., the maximum penalty for defacing private property is a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
READ: Op-Ed: The Virtue Vanishing Act—Why Good Deeds Don’t Count If You’re Bragging Online
The couple released a statement through their attorneys, as reported by The Washington Post, stating:
“Our understanding is that the allegations in this case involve non-violent and non-destructive conduct that resulted in no property damage. We trust that the government and the court system will treat our clients with fairness and proportionality. We look forward to ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld in accordance with the rule of law.”
The Smart Energy Power Alliance’s website features a section dedicated to “energy equity,” which the organization defines as including “addressing past harms and injustices and proactively working to prevent future ones.”
Emily Fisher’s biography page on the Smart Energy Power Alliance’s website also indicated that she is a co-chair of the executive board for City Year D.C., an organization that collaborates with AmeriCorps to support schools in the capital.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
