LaRose receives powdery substance, threatening message

(The Center Square) – Police continue to investigate a security incident at the home of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose that happened late Sunday night.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to LaRose’s suburban Columbus home after he received and opened a piece of mail that contained a powdery substance and a threatening note.

Neither LaRose nor any family members were hurt.

LaRose spokesman Dan Lusheck, in a release, said, “After coming into contact with the contents of the letter, the secretary notified his security staff and took appropriate actions to protect his family from any immediate harm. At the request of local authorities, multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agents responded to the secretary’s home, including HAZMAT and bomb detection units. The suspicious materials were collected for further investigation, and the secretary and his family are safe. The incident remains under active investigation.”

LaRose had received several threats over the past several months, prompting Gov. Mike DeWine to ask the Department of Public Safety and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to provide security assessments and personal protective services for LaRose in the weeks leading up to the November presidential election.