Robyn Epps worked for Dominion Enterprises, not Dominion Voting Systems | Fact check
The claim: Robyn Epps, the wife of a Jan. 6 participant, works for Dominion
An Aug. 12 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) asserts a participant in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has connections to a company at the center of baseless claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
“Robyn Epps is Ray Epps (sic) wife, she is the National Director of Sales and Development for none other than Dominion,” reads the post.
It was shared more than 1,000 times in three days.
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Our rating: False
This is wrong on multiple counts. Robyn Epps worked for Dominion Enterprises until 2018, according to her LinkedIn profile. And the company has no affiliation with Dominion Voting Systems, which said claims it is associated with Epps are “completely false.”
Dominion Voting Systems says claim is 'completely false'
Ray Epps is a former Marine and chapter president of the Oath Keepers militia group who showed up to the U.S. Capitol in January 2021 to rally for former President Donald Trump, as reported by The Arizona Republic. Despite his support for the movement, he’s been labeled by some on the far right as a deep state agent working to discredit Trump, the outlet reported.
Epps and his wife, Robyn, told 60 Minutes in April they constantly relive the events of Jan. 6. Ray Epps said he has been in hiding after selling his home because of the death threats he's faced. He has filed a defamation suit against Fox News.
Fact check: Claim falsely links BlackRock to Dominion Voting
A LinkedIn profile for Robyn Epps says she worked at Dominion Enterprises from October 1990 through June 2018. The company, based in Norfolk, Virginia, provides marketing, advertising and software solutions for industries including automotive, real estate and hospitality, according to its website.
Robyn Epps was promoted to national director of sales and development in 2007, according to a news release.
The marketing firm has no connection to Dominion Voting Systems, a private voting machine manufacturer that has been at the center of baseless claims of a stolen 2020 presidential election. Its U.S. headquarters are in Denver, Colorado.
Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News in 2021, accusing the cable news network of spreading disinformation that the company rigged the election. Fox News settled with the company for $787.5 million in April.
Both companies told USA TODAY the social media claim is false.
Dominion Enterprises has “no relationship, association or business dealings with Dominion Voting Systems,” said Dominion Enterprises spokesperson Susan Blake.
Dominion Voting Systems also told USA TODAY it has “no connection” to Dominion Enterprises.
“Any claims about a business or financial relationship between Dominion Voting Systems and Ms. Epps are completely false,” said a company spokesperson, who declined to provide a name for attribution due to security concerns.
USA TODAY has previously debunked an array of false claims about Dominion Voting Systems, including that a judge ruled its equipment was designed to create fraud, that its machines failed in a Colorado 2022 primary recount and that the company lost its lawsuits against Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell.
Reuters and Lead Stories previously debunked the claim.
When reached for comment by USA TODAY, the user did not provide evidence supporting the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
Dominion Voting Systems spokesperson, Aug. 16, Email exchange with USA TODAY
Susan Blake, Aug. 16, Email exchange with USA TODAY
Robyn Epps, accessed Aug. 15, LinkedIn profile
For Rent Media Solutions, July 26, 2007, Robyn Epps Promoted to National Director of Sales and Development
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Epps tied to Dominion Enterprises, not voting equipment | Fact check