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Dr. Simone Gold is a former emergency room physician and Stanford educated attorney fired for spreading misinformation to patients and the public about COVID-19 and for prescribing hydroxychloroquine—a paraciticide used to treat malaria but proven ineffective against coronavirus—as a COVID "cure."
Since being fired, Gold dedicated her time to activism and speaking at COVID rallies as the founder of the anti-vaccine group America’s Frontline Doctors. Unfortunately her message contradicted proven medical and scientific knowledge and pandemic protocols.
On January 6, 2021, Gold claimed she was a bystander at the United States Capitol—there for a COVID rally—who made the mistake of joining an "agitated mob" in breaching the Capitol building then giving a speech via bullhorn in the Capitol rotunda to the crowd that caused at least five deaths, over 100 injuries to law enforcement and millions of dollars in damages.
According to Gold, all this was a simple mistake and made her an innocent victim, but she still pleaded guilty to one charge of "unlawfully and knowingly entering and remain in a restricted building and ground."
On Thursday, she made her case to Judge Christopher Cooper—a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia—during her sentencing phase.
\u201cHappening now: Sentencing hearing for anti-vax Dr. Simone Gold. The DOJ is asking for her to serve 90 days in jail. Defense wants time served and 60 hours of community service. https://t.co/CyHh59c24M\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388493
She said:
"My reputation has been shredded."
\u201cGold says she was at the front of the mob because she wanted to give the speech she was supposed to give that got canceled.\n\nGold: "My reputation has been shredded."\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655390014
Judge Cooper was less than sympathetic.
He questioned if Gold was remorseful—a standard requirement for consideration of leniency on a guilty plea.
Judge Cooper cited a Washington Post interview Gold did immediately after the riot where her only stated concern was if photos of her participation would affect her work as an antivaxxer—advising the public not receive vaccinations against COVID-19.
You can see how Gold got into this position here:
According to Gold, she was at the Capitol to give a speech at a different rally about her "COVID cures."
The former ER physician claimed an agitated mob of about 100,000 people approached. Though the mob smashed past police and barricades, Gold stated the logical course of action was not to leave the area, but rather to follow the mob past broken windows and doors into the building.
Gold insisted she saw no destruction or violence and was in the building for approximately 20 minutes. While in the Capitol rotunda, Gold said she spotted someone with a bullhorn and decided to give her speech there.
\u201cJudge Cooper says probation has recommended 6 months of incarceration and a $9,500 fine. That's higher than what the DOJ is asking for.\n\n"She helped add to the chaos of that day with her speech, with her bullhorn," probation officer says.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388493
Video footage and stills of Gold on the bullhorn were circulated by the FBI in an attempt to identify her.
But Judge Cooper countered Gold's claims. He noted she told The Washington Post “where I was was incredibly peaceful,” but video showed Gold did nothing as the mob she was with dragged a police officer to the ground.
He also castigated Gold for exploiting her riot participation to raise $430,000 in donations for herself and her organization.
\u201cProbation says they considered rejecting Gold's acceptance of responsibility based on language in a fundraiser on her website, America's Frontline Doctors, that appears to deny/downplay her actions. Instead, they're recommending a sentence at the top of the range.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388493
\u201cDOJ: "It's confusing to say she came here to give a speech when that is not what she spent her time inside doing."\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388493
\u201cDOJ says Dr. Simone Gold has raised more than $400,000 for her legal defense in her Jan. 6 case through her America's Frontline Doctors website. DOJ says site notes any "overage" will actually go to America's Frontline Doctors.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388493
Judge Cooper said:
"January 6 was about a lot of things, but it was not about the First Amendment, and it was certainly not about covid treatment or vaccines."
“I find it unseemly that your organization is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for its operations, including your salary... ...by mischaracterizing what this proceeding is all about.”
“People need to know this is not acceptable."
“This is not what this process is all about.”
Gold also cited the restrictions on her ability to travel by plane because of her riot participation was impacting her work and revenue for her organization.
\u201cDefense attorney Dickson Young starts saying someone would have opened the door Simone Gold entered from the inside.\n\nJudge Cooper: "You're not suggesting someone invited her in?"\n\nYoung "No. No. My point is she walked in through an open door."\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388493
\u201cJudge Cooper says in an interview w/ the Washington Post, Gold said she was concerned the photos of her inside the Capitol would distract from her advocacy work \u2014 and *that's* why she regretted her participation.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655388947
\u201cYoung says there are ongoing investigations into her medical license in California and Florida due to her participation in the riot. Also says she's been on a no fly list. She apparently drove to D.C. for this hearing.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655389147
\u201cKira West takes "umbrage" with the DOJ's suggestion that she knew Simone Gold had given probation a false address. Says Gold told her she gave them the UPS address because she had received death threats.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655389758
\u201cJudge Cooper says Dr. Simone Gold's organization has used her notoriety to raise money by mischaracterizing her case. Cooper says the ~30 letters he received on her behalf all parrot the mischaracterization of her case from the America's Frontline Doctor's fundraiser.\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655390370
Judge Cooper added:
"I have heard a lot about how you are not able to fly, but I haven’t heard anything about the five people who died."
"The four people who committed suicide afterward. Or the staffers [and others locked down in fear for their safety.]"
Prosecutor April Ayers-Perez stated:
"The defendant has not shown remorse. She has not accepted responsibility for her conduct … that has remained consistent over time."
"She has continued to minimize and diminish her responsibility and her criminal conduct throughout."
Judge Cooper concluded:
"I think you well knew what you were doing."
\u201cSENTENCE: Dr. Simone Gold ordered to serve 60 days in jail to be followed by 12 months of supervised release. She will also pay a fine of $9,500. Gold pleaded guilty earlier this year to entering and remaining in a restricted building. https://t.co/CyHh59tDtm\u201d— Jordan Fischer (@Jordan Fischer) 1655390884
Gold was sentenced to to 60 days in prison and a fine of $9,500.