Crime & Safety

Todd Akin's Family, Staff Receiving Threats

UPDATE 7:05 P.M.: The U.S. Senate candidate has been under fire since his weekend comments on "forcible rape", despite an apology for the remarks. His spokesperson confirms the threats are real.

KTVI-TV is reporting that Todd Akin, the Republican who has been under intense pressure since his weekend comments on "forcible rape" threatened to derail his U.S. Senate bid against Claire McCaskill, is now fending off more than calls to quit the race.

At 6:34 p.m. Thursday, Patch received the following confirmation from Steve Taylor, Akin's district communication director:  “I can verify that the Capitol police are working with an outside law enforcement agency regarding threatening contact with our official office.  The office of Congressman Akin has received threats of rape of his official staff, family and the Congressman himself along with suggestions that individuals should die.”   

KTVI and other outlets say the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are investigating threats of rape and other violence made against Akin's staff and family.

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Akin has resisted calls to step aside in the race. Patch will provide more information on the nature of the threats as details become available.

Eureka-Wildwood Patch editor Julie Brown Patton contributed to this report.

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