Former Republican Congressional Candidate Sues Indianapolis FBI, Alleges Life Threats and Disability Discrimination

FBI field office in Indianapolis. FBI is being sued by Republican Candidate for death threats.

Indianapolis, IN – April 22, 2025 – Gabriel Whitley, a disabled former Republican congressional candidate, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Indianapolis Field Office and Special Agent Spencer Brooks, alleging severe civil rights violations, discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), intentional infliction of emotional distress, and abuse of process. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, details a pattern of harassment, life-threatening intimidation, and targeted exploitation of Whitley’s disability during a 2024 FBI investigation into alleged campaign finance violations.

Background of the Case

Whitley, who ran for Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District in the 2024 Republican primary under the “Honest Gabe for Congress” campaign, is a vocal political activist known for criticizing political corruption and supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election. According to the complaint, Whitley has a documented disability that limits his mobility and emotional regulation, making him particularly vulnerable to emotional distress. The lawsuit claims that the FBI and Agent Brooks were aware of this condition but deliberately targeted it to coerce and intimidate him.

The allegations center on a July 15, 2024, meeting at the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, where Brooks allegedly accused Whitley of campaign finance violations without evidence. During this meeting, Brooks is accused of mocking Whitley’s disability, making derogatory remarks such as, “You think your disability will save you from this?” and escalating to a direct threat to Whitley’s life, stating, “If you don’t cooperate, you won’t make it out of this alive,” during a subsequent interaction at Whitley’s home. The complaint further alleges that Brooks falsified records of the meeting to portray Whitley as having made incriminating statements, perpetuating a baseless investigation.

Pattern of Harassment and Disability Discrimination

The lawsuit describes a sustained campaign of harassment from July 2024 to the present, including surveillance, additional threatening communications, and deliberate disregard for Whitley’s accommodation needs under the ADA. The FBI’s actions allegedly exploited Whitley’s disability by scheduling interactions that ignored his limitations and using derogatory language to intimidate him. These actions, the complaint argues, constitute discrimination under the ADA, denying Whitley equal access to fair treatment in a federal investigation.

Whitley’s prior legal troubles provide context for the allegations. In February 2025, he pleaded guilty to lying to the federal government about campaign finance reports, receiving one year of non-reporting probation and a $100 fine. Whitley is seeking to vacate this plea, claiming he was misled about its terms and coerced by the FBI’s earlier actions, including the July 2024 threats. The lawsuit suggests that the FBI’s conduct was part of a broader effort to pressure Whitley into compliance.

Legal Claims and Relief Sought

The complaint outlines four causes of action:

1. Violation of Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, Whitley alleges that Brooks violated his constitutional rights by threatening his life and liberty without probable cause and engaging in coercive conduct that deprived him of due process. The FBI is accused of failing to supervise Brooks, enabling a pattern of unconstitutional behavior.

2. ADA Discrimination: Whitley claims the FBI and Brooks discriminated against him by failing to provide reasonable accommodations and targeting his disability through bullying and threats, violating the ADA.

3. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Brooks’ threats, mockery, and misrepresentations are described as “extreme and outrageous,” causing Whitley severe emotional distress, exacerbated by his disability.

4. Abuse of Process: The FBI and Brooks are accused of misusing investigative authority to harass Whitley with baseless allegations, using false documentation to justify continued targeting.

Whitley seeks at least $750,000 in compensatory damages for emotional distress, physical harm due to his exacerbated disability, reputational damage, and financial losses. He also requests punitive damages against Brooks, an injunction to stop further harassment, expungement of false FBI records, and attorneys’ fees. Whitley has demanded a jury trial.

Impact on Whitley

The lawsuit details significant harm to Whitley, including anxiety, fear for his safety, and physical symptoms tied to his disability. His reputation as a political figure has suffered, and he has incurred financial costs defending against what he describes as unfounded allegations. The complaint emphasizes that the FBI’s actions were particularly damaging given Whitley’s vulnerability as a disabled individual, accusing the agency of exploiting his condition to amplify the impact of their intimidation tactics.

Broader Implications

Whitley’s lawsuit raises serious questions about the FBI’s conduct in politically sensitive investigations, particularly involving individuals with disabilities. The allegations of life threats, falsified records, and disability-based discrimination could prompt scrutiny of the Indianapolis Field Office’s practices and training. As a former congressional candidate and activist, Whitley’s case may also draw attention to the treatment of political figures who challenge the status quo, especially in the context of campaign finance investigations.

The case, assigned to the Southern District of Indiana, is in its early stages, with no response yet filed by the FBI or Brooks. Legal experts suggest that the outcome could hinge on evidence supporting Whitley’s claims of threats and falsified records, as well as the court’s interpretation of ADA obligations in federal investigations.

Conclusion

Gabriel Whitley’s lawsuit against the Indianapolis FBI and Special Agent Spencer Brooks alleges a disturbing pattern of misconduct, from life-threatening intimidation to disability discrimination. As the case moves forward, it will test the boundaries of federal law enforcement accountability and the protections afforded to disabled individuals in high-stakes investigations. For Whitley, the fight is personal—a bid to reclaim his dignity, protect his rights, and hold the FBI accountable for what he describes as a gross abuse of power.

Note: This article is based on the provided court filing and does not include external sources or responses from the defendants, as none were provided or available at the time of writing.