Boehner’s former bartender charged with plans to poison him

Speaker of the House John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) former bartender was indicted last week, charged with trying to poison Boehner because he thought Boehner was the devil.

{mosads}The man, Michael Hoyt, called 911 on Oct. 29 and police made contact with him, according to a criminal complaint. The complaint says he told an officer that he had been fired from his job at Wetherington Country Club in West Chester, Ohio, and had not had time to put something in Boehner’s drink.

The indictment was first reported on Tuesday by WCPO Cincinnati. 

“Hoyt told the officer that he was Jesus Christ and he was going to kill Boehner because Boehner was mean to him at the country club and because Boehner is responsible for Ebola,” the complaint states. 

The complaint says that after being fired from the country club, Hoyt said he heard voices from his car radio telling him that Boehner was the devil. 

In an interview with authorities at a psychiatric ward after the 911 call on Oct. 29, the complaint states that “Hoyt advised that he often poured drinks for Boehner and could have put something in his drink, but he did not.”

Police say they also found a .380 automatic handgun in Hoyt’s residence. 

Police also said Hoyt emailed Boehner’s wife, Debbie Boehner, the day before he called police and requested a meeting, while stating “If I had any intention of hurting Mr. Boehner, I could have poisoned his wine at Wetherington many, many times.”

Debbie Boehner replied “What is this about??”, and Hoyt replied to complain about being fired from the club. 

Hoyt was indicted on Jan. 7 on a charge of threatening to kill a U.S. official. 

“Speaker Boehner is aware of this situation, and sincerely thanks the FBI, the Capitol Police, and local authorities in Ohio for their efforts,” said Boehner spokesman Michael Steel.