The transcription and any errors in it are my own. Rev. Lee is wearing a Roman clergy collar (photo above is from the police body cam footage) and introduces himself as a pastor right away. He admits his is not working solely on his own behalf, but declines to identify the “folks” with whom he is working. He says that he has tried to get messages (plural) to her and is pretty insistent with the officer about meeting her. Some questions come to mind are: who gave him Ruby’s address, or was it a matter of public record; was he collaborating with Trump operatives or supporters, or acting as a lone ranger? Either way, it is an odd appearance so far from home and normal evangelical efforts. It is also true that this case is highly politicized and quite possibility personally punitive and we do not know Lee’s intent, though at the least is seems a strange way for a retired pastor to intervene in a purely civil matter. –ed.
A police chaplain named Steve Lee was part of a failed effort to pressure a Georgia election worker to admit to voting fraud that never occurred. Police bodycam footage in Dec. 2020 shows him parked by the worker’s house after she called 911
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Sep 9, 2022
Lee [as officer approaches] – How you doing?
Officer – Hey, what’s going on?
Lee – Ya, my name’s Steve Lee.
Officer – Yep.
Lee – and I’m a pastor and I’m also working with some folks who are trying to help Ruby out.
Officer – ok.
L. and also get to some truth of what’s going on.
Officer – ok.
L. So I’m prior law enforcement – a sargent out in California.
Officer – Ya, I mean – she was calling about the vehicle and she said a red Ford.
Lee – It’s me. I, I knocked on the door earlier.
Officer – ok.
L. – And I’ve tried getting her messages; you know she’s terribly spooked. I’m not here to hurt her. I’m not here to cause any problems or anything like that. I can verify who I am—to you, to your satisfaction. But I also don’t want to create trouble either.
Officer – ok.
Lee – But it would be nice if I could talk to her—and, and—if, if—she did call you folks?
Officer – uh, huh. he called us before when you were first knocking on the door.
Lee – Ya.
Officer – and then she canceled it when you left and then she noticed you were still in the area. So she called us right back.
Lee – I had to go drain my bladder
Officer – ok
Lee – I tell you what, would it work for you to give a call back to her and, and say, you know, he just wants to talk to you, so, so, you can stay with me?
Officer – she requested to meet with us anyway. So I just wanna–the vehicle matched the description—so I just wanted to come over and check with you first.
Lee – It’s me.
Officer – um, I’ll go over there and see what see wants to do.
L. And if she doesn’t want to – you may want to let her know: I’ve got some pro bono—uh–service for her …
Officer – ok.
Lee – if she’s interested. And let her know that I can prove who I am …
Officer – uh, huh.
Lee – to her satisfaction. And just talk to her. I don’t mean to scare her. But if its just too much, I’ll back off completely and you won’t see me again.
Officer – ok.
[officer asks for and receives ID]
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