Brad Rukstales, CEO of the marketing technology firm Cogensia, apologized for what he called a “moment of extremely poor judgment.”
Cogensia, based in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, sought to distance itself from its CEO, whom the company said has been placed on leave of absence.
Neither Rukstales nor Cogensia were reachable for further comment. The US Capitol Police did not respond to a request for comment to confirm the arrest.
“Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington,” Rukstales said in his statement.
The Cogensia CEO said that following the rally in Washington, he “followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to the Capitol building to see what was taking place inside.”
Rukstales said he was arrested and charged with unlawful entry.
“My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so,” he said.
“While we support all employees’ right to peaceful, lawful exercise of free speech, any employee demonstrating dangerous conduct that endangers the health and safety of others will no longer have an employment opportunity with Navistar Direct Marketing,” the company said in a statement provided to CNN.