Pro-Israel Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov — who was arrested last month for allegedly toting a gun on her waistband while observing a pro-Palestinian rally — decided to get a firearm license after dealing with relentless sexual harassment, death threats and stalkers, her lawyer told The Post.
“She has legitimate and proven reasons to be afraid for her personal safety.” Vernikov’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said Thursday after his client was arraigned on a charge of criminal possession of a .9mm pistol while supporting Jewish students counter-protesting an Oct. 12 anti-Israel rally at CUNY’s Brooklyn College.
“This single, vulnerable woman felt like the only way she could protect herself initially was to take self-defense classes, and as the harassment by men got stronger she made a decision to purchase a gun and did so legally.”
The Republican lawmaker received her concealed carry license in September after her application was approved in July.
However, it is illegal in New York State to have a firearm in a sensitive location such as school grounds or a protest.
The threats against her have intensified since the arrest, according to Aidala.
One handwritten note sent to Vernikov last week on Christmas-themed stationery told her “Go back to Ukraine, you f-ing c—t! Get out of our country.”
Vernikov’s camp provided a series of additional voicemails, letters, texts, and other sadistic correspondence the councilwoman has received this past year.
In one April voicemail to her office, an unidentified man refers to Vernikov as “Esther” – likely a dig at her being Jewish – and warns in a vile, expletive-laden message that he plans to rape her.
“I’m going to . . . rape you and touch you’re a–hole and then touch your mouth,” the man says. “I’m coming for you . . . you stupid k–e whore.”
In July, Matthew Penberg, 40, of Virginia was reportedly arrested for leaving threatening messages on the office’s voicemail, but it’s unclear if it’s related to the same message.
In August, Vernikov was caught on camera fuming after a creep snuck up behind her, grabbed her, and kissed her on the cheek while she was being interviewed by a CBS reporter in Brighton Beach.
The alleged kissing bandit, Pavel Rozhkov, 39, was arrested last month and pled not guilty to forcible touching and other sexual assault charges.
On Thursday, a Brooklyn judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Rozhkov from contacting or approaching Vernikov.
Vernikov, who did not submit a plea at Thursday’s arraignment, is due back in court on Jan. 24 after being released without bail. She is seeking re-election Nov. 7.