Rep. Bob Filner is facing an assault and battery charge after an incident at Dulles Airport where he allegedly pushed an United Airlines bag claim employee as first reported by ABC7/Newschannel 8. Filner, a Democrat from California, allegedly attempted to enter an employees-only area on Sunday night.
Van Cleave spoke with several witnesses who said they heard Filner yell "You can't stop me," before pushing aside the employee and refusing to leave the office.
Filner disputed the account in a statement issued by his office.
"Congressman Bob Filner is on his way to Iraq, visiting our troops,
"Murray! I punched out a baggage claim underling at the airport! Fix it for me!"
"Yes, Your Congresship! I'll set up a trip to Iraq and it'll all be cleaned up by the time you get back!"
"Iraq? What am I gonna do there?"
"Visit the troops, Your Enormity."
"What troops? I thought we pulled them out?"
"No, Your Imperiousness. You only voted for it." |
and will have a full statement when he returns. Suffice it to say now, that the story that has appeared in the press is factually incorrect - and the charges are ridiculous," the statement said.
The encounter happened after Filner "experienced a delay in claiming his bag," according to a United Airlines statement. United said it regretted that delay and was cooperating in the investigation.
| They lose my bags from time to time but I rather suspect that if I went through a door marked 'Employees Only' I'd be spending time talking with a federal prosecutor. Wonder if Nancy Pelosi comes to the rescue? |
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