exclusive – A Christian monk arrested on the orders of a former U.S. attorney talks about how charges that have since been dropped ruined his life and reputation.
“President Biden’s administration doesn’t seem to have time for Christianity,” Father Brian Andrew Bushell said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Father Andrew and his business partner were indicted in October 2022 by former Massachusetts Attorney Rachel Rollins, a political appointee of Mr. Biden, on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit illegal financial transactions.
“We allege that these two individuals engaged in brazen criminal activity that took advantage of the government’s institutional relief efforts,” Rollins said at the time of his arrest. “Our government should not and will not foot the bill for flashy designer handbags and lavish lifestyles. Hard-working people should be given these funds.”
Catholic hospital lawyer responds to Biden administration’s ‘shocking’ threat to force closure to prevail
The Justice Department called Father Andrew “a person who purports to be an Orthodox Christian monk.” (Fox News Digital)
However, the charges were dismissed by Rollins’ replacement, Josh Levy. Mr. Levy replaced Mr. Rollins after a special counsel’s report found that Mr. Rollins committed “egregious” ethical violations and “abuse of power.” Mr. Rollins resigned following a report that Father Andrew said “appeared to be corruption.”
The motion to dismiss, dated November 2023, said the Justice Department was withdrawing “a criminal complaint charging defendant with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.”
“The Government respectfully submits that the dismissal is in the interest of justice,” the motion concluded.
“Thank God U.S. Attorney Levy had the courage to admit when they were wrong,” Father Andrew said.
Motion by former federal prosecutor Rachel Rollins to dismiss the case brought against Father Andrew (Fox News Digital)
Father Andrew said the ordeal began in the morning with a loud bang on the door while he was praying at the altar.
“There was no warning. I saw a flashlight outside the window of the chapel. The dog started barking,” he said. Father Andrew said he has since learned that the FBI could arrest him in a variety of ways, but the key was that the FBI did not understand that his shrine was a religious organization.
“This whole experience is designed in such a way that it puts a lot of psychological pressure on the individual,” he says. “The feeling that the institutions of government that are supposed to protect the weak and are supposed to protect people who are struggling to do good for others are actually weighing on me… it’s terrifying. It’s traumatic.”
A scathing report from the Justice Department Oversight Committee reveals reasons for Biden’s nomination for U.S. Attorney Rollins to resign.
Father Andrew said he was dragged from the altar during his arrest by the FBI. (Fox News Digital)
Father Andrew said he did not know why he was arrested at the time, although he asked investigators to see the warrant.
The FBI has a different version of what happened on the morning of October 13, 2022.
Father Andrew was “arrested at his home pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by a United States Magistrate Judge. After answering the door after a law enforcement officer knocked and identified himself, Father Andrew was cooperative and was taken into custody without incident.” the FBI said in a statement. to Fox News Digital.
“Extensive planning and preparation took place prior to the service of the federal warrant, and the personnel and tactics used were designed to ensure the safety of all involved,” the FBI statement continued.
As for why the charges were filed in the first place, Father Andrew believed Mr. Rollins was under pressure to crack down on financial waste, fraud and abuse.
“And since she herself is being investigated for ethics violations, this was too good to pass up.” [regarding the Hatch Act]… That was just shocking to me, and she clearly used it for her own political gain. ”
U.S. District Attorney Rachel Rollins in Boston on October 4, 2022. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Rollins resigned after the Justice Department found she violated the Hatch Act in one of the “most egregious violations” ever investigated by the Office of Special Counsel.
The Hatch Act requires federal employees to prohibit certain political activities, with stricter restrictions based on department and seniority level.
According to the special counsel’s investigation, Rollins leaked nonpublic information from the Justice Department to thwart the political campaigns of opposing candidates and “used government-owned vehicles while on official business to assist the Democratic National Committee.” Attended a fundraising event.
Former federal prosecutor Rachel Rollins’ charges against Father Andrew were dropped after she resigned.
”[S]He repeatedly tried to sabotage political candidates’ campaigns by leaking nonpublic information. [DOJ information] appealed to the media to plant a story that he was under investigation by the Justice Department. “This … violation … is one of the most egregious Hatch Act violations investigated by the OSC,” the report states.
In a letter to President Biden, Special Counsel Henry Kerner said, “Mr. Rollins’ actions in leaking nonpublic Department of Justice information constituted an extraordinary abuse of power and undermined the public’s belief in the integrity of federal law enforcement operations.” “There is a risk of undermining trust.”
Christian teacher loses job after refusing to deceive parents about child’s gender change: ‘From the devil’
“The OSC finds that … Rollins … committed an unusual abuse of his authority as a federal prosecutor,” the report concluded.
President Joe Biden eats ice cream at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream as Seth Meyers looks on on Monday, February 26, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Father Andrew said the “slander” had permanently damaged his reputation and left him traumatized.
“There are still people who have made up their minds based on these lies, and it will be difficult to change their minds,” he said. “Once you’re arrested in public, it’s almost insurmountable.”
Rollins did not respond to requests for comment.
