By Brian Lowe, Date: 22/12/17 (Photo Credit: SILive – Staten Island)

The USA Rugby League (USARL) has fired one of its directors after he was accused of violent crimes including allegedly trying to assassinate a member of the Democratic party in New York State.

Richard Luthmann has been charged with a raft of bizarre crimes, including trying to pay a stripper to claim that she was raped by a candidate running for district attorney.

Federal prosecutors say for the past several years, Mr Luthmann has wielded lawsuits, social media attacks and threats of physical violence to wage a series of bullying campaigns that furthered his vendettas against his perceived enemies.

In an official statement the USARL said, “Mr Luthmann has been advised that he has been relieved from his position of Legal Counsel, Director, Signatory and Power of Attorney for the USARL Inc. Further activities related to his dismissal have been initiated.

“The USARL has no connection to Mr Luthmann’s professional, political and or personal affairs. Any charges against Mr Luthmann are unrelated to USA Rugby League activities.”

Mr Luthmann was jailed in lieu of bail, but his lawyer hopes to free him soon.