Magistrate Orders Fox Guest Wayne Simmons to Jail for Falsely Claiming CIA Ties
Wayne Simmons was ordered to jail by a federal judge today as he continues to face criminal charges for falsely claiming to be an ex-CIA agent.
Simmons, who frequently appeared on Fox News as an ex-CIA terrorism expert, was indicted by a grand jury last week on charges of major fraud, wire fraud and making false statements to the government. Magistrate Ivan Davis examined Simmons’ criminal history today, and determined that with eleven DUI arrests, an assault assault, and firearms convictions, Simmons was a “significant danger to the community,” and should go to jail.
The U.S. Attorney’s office put out a press release last week stating that Simmons was trying to use his false claims in order to receive government security clearance in order to work as a defense contractor. The indictment reportedly says that Simmons wrote on national security forms that his arrests were part of his past CIA work.
Part of the indictment against Simmons also includes note of a bogus real estate investment in which he reportedly cheated victims out of about $125,000. If he is found guilty of all three counts levied against him, Simmons could face up to 35 years in prison.
A FNC spokesperson said last week that Simmons “was never a contributor for Fox News,” but Neil Cavuto, who frequently hosted Simmons, acknowledged the situation on Your World last week, and offered apologies for the situation.
[h/t Huffington Post]
[image via screengrab]
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