Man arrested, charged with making death threats against Tampa General CEO

A 63-year-old man has been arrested in connection with death threats made against the CEO of Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital.

Lawrence Brunn of Oakmont, Pa., has been charged with cyber harassment and could face up to five years in federal prison if convicted, according to a July 15 news release from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Florida. The release refers to the CEO as “J.C.”; the case is regarding John Couris, who has served as president and CEO since 2017, the health system confirmed to Becker’s.

Mr. Brunn began harassing the CEO in 2023, with threats increasing in frequency and intensity, according to an unsealed complaint. The threats called for the CEO’s execution, according to court documents.

In addition to online posts, Mr. Brunn sent mail to Mr. Couris’ private residence, his neighbors’ homes, and those of Tampa General Hospital board members, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” Tampa General Hospital said in a statement shared with Becker’s July 16. “We have full faith in the US Attorney General’s office, and we will continue to cooperate. We want to thank local and federal law enforcement authorities for their intervention.”

Tampa General’s CEO previously served as president and CEO of Jupiter (Fla.) Medical Center from 2010 to 2017, where he worked with Mr. Brunn, according to the complaint obtained by Becker’s. The CEO terminated Mr. Brunn’s employment after he falsely accused the hospital’s CFO of embezzlement, the complaint states.

The complaint is an arrest warrant alleging the defendant has violated federal criminal law. The case is being investigated by the FBI, the release said.