Date: 03-19-2025

Case Style:

United States of America v. Isabella Giordano

Case Number: 24cr441

Judge: James E. Boasberg

Court: The United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Washington, D.C.

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Washington, D.C. criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Damaging U.S. Government Property
Rioter Federally Sentenced for Damaging U.S. Government Property at Union Station Following Rally

Isabella Giordano, 21, of Towson, Maryland, was charged for spray painting graffiti on several pieces of federal property at Columbus Circle in front of Union Station in Washington, D.C., following a protest on July 24, 2024.

Giordano pleaded guilty to destruction of government property before U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg, who in addition to probation, ordered Giordano to pay $500 in restitution to the National Park Service.

According to court documents, on July 24, 2024, an organization was granted a permit to demonstrate near Columbus Circle, located at Massachusetts Ave. NE, and E St. NE, directly in front of Union Station. From about 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., demonstrators who had gathered in Columbus Circle pulled down flags affixed to the flagpoles; burned flags and objects; sprayed graffiti on multiple statutes and structures; and interfered with law enforcement’s ability to place individuals under arrest.

Footage obtained from a review of open-source videos posted to X (formerly Twitter) showed Giordano using red spray paint to write “Gaza” on the Columbus Fountain. She also spray-painted the base of two of the flagpoles in Columbus Circle. On July 30, 2024, the U.S. Park Police posted a bulletin with multiple photos and coordinated with the FBI in seeking information on five individuals who engaged in criminal activity on July 24, 2024. On August 1, 2024, USPP received two tips identifying Giordano.

The flags pulled down from the flag poles, and the statutes and structures in Columbus Circle, are all property of the federal government. The National Park Service estimated that the cost to clean and repair the site at about $11,282.23.

This case was investigated by the USPP’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Martin and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Horan.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to six months of probation.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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