Brad Rukstales, CEO of Cognesia, Arrested at U.S. Capitol Riot | Hacker News Reader

Brad Rukstales, CEO of Cognesia, Arrested at U.S. Capitol Riot

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43 pointscromwellian36 comments

"Our CEO, Brad Rukstales' participated in the recent Washington DC protests. Those actions were his own and not acting on behalf Cogensia nor do his actions in any way reflect the policies or values of our firm. He has been placed on leave of absence while we assess further." https://twitter.com/Cogensia/status/1347340504934047747

Sorry, but your CEO sets the values and policies for your firm. He was arrested for participating in an insurrection, and only then, when placed on leave of absence, did he apologize. Why did you not fire him? He will have a criminal record now.

Criminals still need jobs.

Sure, breaking rocks.

But not necessary high level positions with a lot of power and influence.

And moral clarity and standing are qualifications for organizational leadership, as opposed to mere technical competence. A tech CEO breaking into Congress to stop the certification of the US Presidency really calls judgment into question.

There's a lot of potholes that need filling due to all that delicious government attention to such matters.

I am not in favor of the rioters, but I do think people should actually go through trial and be found guilty before they are fired from their jobs.

I would support legislation that protected someone’s job while they were awaiting trial. Not because I support this guy but just on general principle.

In this case he was caught and confessed, and even if he was truly sorry, his behavior shows really poor judgement for a CEO.

I have never had a trial before losing my job.

And I have never heard of a dismissed coworker having a trial either.

So what other decisions do you think legal due process needs to apply to in a private business?

I think the comment suggests that if you were to be alleged of some crime outside of work, you should be protected from being fired due to that allegation. However, many places I know of without employment protections allow for firing without cause, anyway. There's no need to explain why someone is fired, so that protection wouldn't apply.

Such a non-apology from Mr. Rukstales. "I'm sorry that I got caught!"

I think you are being a bit harsh, his apology seems sincere and says a lot more than that.

Don't get me wrong, that doesn't begin to make up for his criminal behavior and I hope he is prosecuted for it. But we shouldn't make it impossible for people to retreat from mistakes.

> I think you are being a bit harsh, his apology seems sincere and says a lot more than that.

When you read his apology, doesn't it sound like dishonesty? He's essentially saying he broke into Congress because he was really curious about all the commotion, and just wanted to see the the ruckus was about.

I mean, this strikes you as honest?

I actually do believe the gist of that, though I do agree there's a bit of spin. Do you think this guy would have acted anything remotely like this by himself?

That doesn't change the fact that he and others like him committed a crime and should be punished accordingly.

He also said a lot more than just that excuse you paraphrased, which I thought was more relevant and significant than his attempt to explain his actions.

If we buy that Brad Rukstales was simply curious and confused by spontaneous commotion, then how does it make sense to say he should be treated as a criminal? He's saying he's an innocent and curious person who was accidentally misplaced, and you're saying you trust him and think he should be punished as a criminal anyway?

The man participated in a riot and admitted it. You have someone who is supposed to be a leader and set standards for employee’s. His behavior goes beyond extremely poor judgment. Why would any company want this type of individual as a part of their firm, let alone in a position of authority?

This is not really hacker news worthy

There are plenty of reports on twitter about the several characters/insurgents/anarchists that went in the capitol, not sure this belongs here.

Cognesia is a tech company. A tech company CEO participating in a riot that broke into the US capitol I'd argue is of interest to the HN community.

I have never heard of this company before, not sure if I want to now.

Mark Z participating in these riots would be HN-worthy.

I think you don't understand the meaning of 'anarchist'

I had to google the company and immediately I notice their Google Maps review rating: 1.2 - 76 reviews - all about their CEO being "a klansman trying to overthrow our democracy" and similar.

You support him until he’s proven guilty.he admitted guilt To me seems that you’ll back him up. Not good for your company.doesn’t say much about your values and policies

There is no excuse or what he did. He admitted hw was part of the Coup attempt. On twitter he tried to make it sound like he was a teenager who made a bad decision. He is a Terrorist that attempted to over throw the United States Government. PERIOD

It was not a RIOT It was an ATTEMPTED COUP. Both The Vice President and The Speaker of the House were present and all of the Senators and House of Representatives.

He attempted to Assist in the Overthrow of the United States Government. He is a Terrorist he admitted he did it. Televise his TRIAL put him away for 99 years.

The only thing he is sorry for is getting caught.

Leave of absence? He’s looking at a decade behind bars and a felony.

Unlikely

> Rukstales was arrested for unlawful entry.

That may have been just what they needed to detain him. I suspect they can add other more severe charges once they have more evidence?

Absolutely. The arrest on trespassing and other low-level charges establishes his presence in the building at the time of the event and as an active participant. Next step are sedition charges.

He’s not being detained. He was charged and released the same day.

He has to show up to a court date and then a jail date.

Different person. The CEO has not been arrested (yet).

Yeah article III section 3 of the United States Constitution is pretty clear, so is U.S code Title 18. Sorry is not gonna cut it not this time.

Let that had been a minority CEO . Once the firm got wind of him being apart of such behavior without hesitation he would have been fired without benefits. Bank On It!!!

I disagree with calling this a riot. It's hypocritical for the media to call this a riot, yet "fiery, mostly peaceful" is jus ta protest.

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