TAMPA, Fla. – Federal authorities have arrested a Pennsylvania man accused of making explicit online threats against John Couris, the President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. Lawrence Brunn, 63, was taken into custody on Tuesday at his residence near Pittsburgh. Brunn faces a federal charge of cyberharassment after his posts and videos called for Couris to be beheaded, according to an official criminal complaint.
Brunn was in federal custody as of Wednesday, pending a bond hearing, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed.
Brunn Held a Decade-long Grudge
The source of Brunn’s animosity reportedly dates back to more than a decade ago, before Couris assumed his role at Tampa General. According to the complaint, Couris previously served as President and CEO at Jupiter Medical Center in Palm Beach County, Fla., from 2010 to 2017, where Brunn was employed as a budget manager and briefly as a controller.
Brunn was fired from Jupiter Medical Center in 2014 after making unfounded allegations against the hospital’s chief financial officer, reports the Tampa Bay Times. He claimed that approximately $6 million in hospital funds were unaccounted for. However, an internal investigation concluded that his claims were baseless. Following his termination, Brunn allegedly began harassing the medical center, prompting the hospital to file a libel lawsuit against him.
Jupiter Medical Center won the lawsuit in 2020, but Brunn’s harassment allegedly escalated. According to authorities, he turned his focus toward Couris, initiating an intimidation campaign targeting the hospital executive.
Explicit Threats Lead to Hospital Security Measures
Recent evidence presented in the federal complaint outlines how Brunn used various online platforms to issue explicit threats against Couris. On his personal website, Brunn reportedly posted videos calling for Couris’ execution, reports WTSP. He frequently made references to beheadings, using terms like “guillotine” and urging others to “take them out back and chop their heads off.”
On April 9, Brunn posted a threat explicitly stating Couris “should have his head chopped off.” Additional posts, following a similar vein, were published in subsequent days.
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Brunn also escalated his campaign of intimidation by sending mail to Couris’ home, his neighbors’ homes, and to the residences of Tampa General’s board of trustees, authorities said.
The severity of the threats compelled Couris to hire full-time security to monitor his home and to escort him to and from work.
Arrest and Broader Concerns
Brunn’s arrest comes amidst heightened concerns about violence targeting high-profile executives. In December, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed while en route to a corporate meeting in New York City. The accused shooter, Luigi Mangione, is currently awaiting trial.
At this stage, Brunn faces one count of cyberharassment. If convicted, the charge may result in significant penalties. Federal officials have not disclosed whether additional charges will be filed.
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John Couris continues to manage Tampa General Hospital under increased security measures.
