Ex-government official faces charges for falsely accusing colleagues in Jan. 6 attack

Former Virginia Government Official Charged for False FBI Tips

Miguel Zapata, a former government official in Virginia, has been charged with submitting false tips to the FBI. The court records reveal that he accused seven of his coworkers of involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack.

Allegations and Arrest

Prosecutors alleged that Zapata used the FBI’s anonymous tip website to report his colleagues, some of whom were part of an intelligence agency. He claimed they were linked to extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, accusing them of sharing classified information to overturn the government.

Debunked Tips

Investigations by FBI agents quickly debunked Zapata’s tips, as stated in the arrest affidavit. The allegations were found to be baseless, leading to his arrest.

Unclear Motives

The reasons behind Zapata’s false accusations remain unclear. It is also unknown why he is no longer employed by the U.S. government, raising questions about his motivations.

Legal Proceedings

Zapata has not entered a plea yet and was released on bond after a hearing in Washington, D.C. The public defender representing him did not respond to requests for comment from ABC News.

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