A New York man who pleaded guilty to 10 charges related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol has testified before the congressional committee investigating the riot, according to court filings, making him the first known defendant to have cooperated and spoken with the panel.
Greg Rubenacker, 26, spent “several hours” testifying before committee investigators, according to a sentencing memo from his lawyers that was first reported by Politico, though it did not specify when he met with the committee.
Rubenacker’s lawyers said this is one of several ways he has shown remorse and taken responsibility for his actions on January 6, and suggested he should face one year of home confinement.
Prosecutors said in their sentencing memo Rubenacker should face a harsher punishment, as he was part of a group that chased Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman up a staircase near the entrance to the Senate Chamber.
Rubenacker also swung a water bottle at a police officer’s helmet and smoked marijuana inside the Capitol, according to prosecutors, who are seeking a 46-month prison sentence for Rubenacker.
Rubenacker pleaded guilty in February to 10 charges, including felony counts of civil disorder, obstruction of Congress and assault.