Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Threatening April Fools Day Email Freaks Out Albany Lawmakers
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2011
Modified Apr 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2011
Modified Apr 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
April Fools Day can be a stressful day for many, between the Improv Everywhere faux-attack videos and the actually-not-so-ridiculous dog highchairs. It must be especially tough for politicians, who are used to receiving lots of strange mail on a good day. Assembly Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver was one of a handful of politicians to receive one such rambling, threatening email today, and as with everything today, police weren't sure how seriously to take it.
The email, which had the subject line "Time to Kill," was sent to Silver, Brooklyn Assemblyman William Colton, Senate GOP Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and several other NY Assembly members by a man who identified himself as a state worker. He complained about the state budget and labor union battles among other things in the email:
At this point, I don't care what happens with the New York State budget. My group is going to do everything possible to provoke terrorist attacks on New York by al-Qaida, and by Tea Party nut cases.
...
At first I thought I might pull out a gun at my State office and kill a bunch of these dummies that I work with. But I doubt that would provide me with the satisfaction I am looking for," it continues. "Understand with whom you are dealing. I am not crazy. I am a terrorist. I stand for all of the people who don't have a voice. Truly, I hope the Governor harms and enrages a great many people. They will supply soldiers for my war.
Police officials said they were "treating it seriously", but added that there was no indication of any real, credible threat. It seems like it's been that kind of day for everyone, filled with empty reports about Ann Coulter getting her own PBS program and whatever Google Motion is supposed to be. And now we can't tell real kidnappings from fake kidnappings, and we're hungry, and we're grumbly! We need a serious break from the agita of this "humorous" day...we need something to calm us down...
Tagged
april fools day
assembly
puppy porn
sheldon silver
threats
video
william colton
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
D’Angelo Caraballo and Sneider Mejia are wanted on several charges, including attempted murder.
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 11:05 a.m. ET
NYC’s autumn foliage will be a fall feast this year
A rainy fall will intensify autumn foliage colors, making them last longer, too.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC’s autumn foliage will be a fall feast this year
A rainy fall will intensify autumn foliage colors, making them last longer, too.
By
Rosemary Misdary
NY officials worry migrants will skip healthcare amid fed policy change
By
Caroline Lewis
Early Addition: Spy magazine is doing a Substack pop-up
By
James Ramsay
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony push, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .