A former employee of Roger Stone, the convicted political operative who received a presidential pardon and has since returned to influence in President Trump's second term, is accusing Stone of threatening political retribution and violence. Jacob Engels, who worked for Stone from 2013 until last month, shared text messages with NewsNation that he says reveal Stone's efforts to intimidate and potentially harm political opponents.
The texts, dating from December 2020, include exchanges between Stone and Sal Greco, then an NYPD officer. In one message, Stone allegedly wrote that Andrew Cuomo, then New York governor, “must be brought to justice … he's executed himself.” He added, “He's a thug. He's a punk and he's a mob boss which means when you go to kill him you better get him. He and his r——- brother are going down.”
Engels, who also served as director of the Florida Proud Boys but says he is no longer affiliated with the group, told NewsNation: “For more than a decade, I worked closely with Roger Stone and operated inside his inner circle. During that time, I witnessed repeated discussions involving violence against political opponents, intimidation tactics, and efforts to cultivate loyalty among individuals willing to carry out Roger's objectives while insulating Roger himself from direct exposure.” He insisted the messages are authentic.
The messages also reference Chris Cuomo, then a CNN anchor and now host of NewsNation's “CUOMO.” Greco replied to Stone, “I told everyone I work with to walk up to Fredo and punch him in his face since he's such a tough guy.” “Fredo” is a derogatory nickname used by conservative commentators for Chris Cuomo, referencing the weak brother in The Godfather.
Stone allegedly wrote that having Chris Cuomo “terminated” was “on my to-do list for 2021.” He added, “I want to do it very public place were seen. ‘Your father was a piece of s— your brother was a piece of s— but you're not a piece of s— anymore because now you're dead.’”
Engels stressed these were not mere “political trash talk.” He said, “Roger repeatedly attempted to push people toward confrontation and violence while surrounding himself with loyalists willing to act on his behalf — including an armed NYPD officer operating inside Roger's inner circle.” Greco has denied being Stone's personal security.
Stone was convicted in 2019 on multiple felony counts, including obstruction and false statements to Congress, stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. He received a full pardon from Trump on December 23, 2020. Stone did not respond to a request for comment. A representative for Andrew Cuomo declined to comment.
The revelations come as Stone has reemerged as a major lobbying figure in Trump's second term. According to Politico, Stone registered his first federal lobbying client in eight years on Trump's 16th day back in office and has reported earning $2.7 million so far, with $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 alone. He was photographed leaving the White House in April 2026 and at Mar-a-Lago in March.
Engels said he is speaking out now “because the public deserves to understand how dangerous these circles truly became.” He quit working for Stone after “it became clear to me that Roger cultivated an environment built on intimidation, loyalty, dependency and plausible deniability.” The case echoes broader concerns about the weaponization of political rhetoric, as seen in the DOJ's case against the SPLC, which critics call a politicized attack on anti-hate work.
Stone's alleged threats also extend to others, including former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, though details remain emerging. The pattern underscores how figures with presidential pardons can return to influence, a dynamic that may shape the 2028 political landscape as outsiders vie for power.
