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Event Planner Helping With Bob Dole's Funeral Is Dismissed Over Alleged Ties To Capitol Riot
An event planner who helped prepare for former Senator Bob Dole's funeral was dismissed due to alleged ties to the Capitol riot.
Dole, who was the Republican Leader of the Senate and a Republican presidential nominee in the 1996 election, died on Sunday. He was 98.
On Thursday, Dole lay in state at the Capitol before Friday's funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
Event planner, Tim Unes, helped plan the events.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation has cut ties with Tim Unes, an event planner working on former Senator Bob Dole’s funeral, after it came to light that he had been subpoenaed by the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. https://t.co/PVTEQysgkL
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 9, 2021
But when the House select committee looking into the January 6 insurrection subpoenaed him, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation removed him from the preparations, according to The New York Times.
Finally someone with a moral compass.
— Ima Learner (@ARealPrezReads) December 9, 2021
Thank you Mrs Dole
— Comments on Iowa (@commentoniowa) December 9, 2021
Thank you Elizabeth Dole for maintaining the sense of dignity. It was such a lovely funeral today as his friends paid homage to his name.
— KSechrist (@sechristk1955) December 10, 2021
Finally someone taking a stand and doing what’s right?!
— Jen T (@JenT32856335) December 9, 2021
Concerned Representatives to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reached out to a spokesperson for the Dole family about Unes' alleged involvement in the riot.
The spokesperson for the foundation told the news publication:
"I made Senator Elizabeth Dole aware of Mr. Unes's alleged involvement in the events of Jan. 6, 2021."
"Senator Dole was previously unaware of his participation and terminated his volunteer role."
This sends a powerful message
— Show_me (@PinotandPizza) December 9, 2021
On September 29, Unes received a letter from the January 6 committee, saying he "assisted in organizing the rally" for former President Donald Trump, who perpetually made false claims about a stolen election.
The "Stop the Steal" rally preceded the violent siege of the U.S. Capitol building that led to the deaths of five people, including Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick.
The news outlet reported the January 6 committee wrote Unes:
"The investigation has revealed credible evidence of your involvement in events within the scope of the select committee's inquiry."
"According to documents provided to the select committee ... you assisted in organizing the rally held on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, in support of then-President Trump and his allegations of election fraud."
Thank you for being strong and not allowing ill-informed and corrupted people near Dole's Legacy
— Mark Macomber (@MarkMacomber5) December 9, 2021
According to Insider by way of the New York Times, Unes was the president of Event Strategies, an event-planning company that he founded in 2000.
He had previously worked with the Dole family and also served as tour director for Dole's presidential campaign in 1996.
Insider reached out to Unes for a comment but they did not hear a response.
In February, Bob Dole announced he was being treated for advanced lung cancer.
The Dole family announced his death in a statement, which read:
"Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years."
President Joe Biden, who had visited Dole shortly after he announced his cancer diagnosis, wrote a statement mourning the death of his friend.
"Bob was an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation."
"And to me, he was also a friend whom I could look to for trusted guidance, or a humorous line at just the right moment to settle frayed nerves."
"I will miss my friend. But I am grateful for the times we shared, and for the friendship Jill and I and our family have built with Liddy and the entire Dole family.".