Rep. Bob Filner is facing an assault charge STAFF REPORT
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:07 AM PDT
TODD KRAININ PHOTO
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Chula Vista, discusses the issue of overworked agents at local border ports at a press conference in Calexico on Saturday.
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Chula Vista, is facing assault and battery charges after allegedly pushing a United Airlines employee at Dulles Airport in Virginia on Sunday night, the Associated Press reported.
Filner had allegedly pushed aside a bag claim employee’s arm, entered an employee-only area and refused to leave, the AP reported.
The incident occurred at about 6 p.m. after Filner “experienced a delay in claiming his bag,” the AP reported.
“Suffice it to say now, that the story that has appeared in the press is factually incorrect — and the charges are ridiculous,” said Amy Pond, Filner’s press secretary in an e-mailed statement to the Imperial Valley Press on Monday.
The eight-term congressman is on his way to Iraq to visit U.S. troops and would have a full statement when he returns, Pond said.
When Dulles Airport police arrived, they found Filner waiting in the bag carousel area where they interviewed him and let him go, the AP reported.
United Airlines declined to identify the employee who pressed charges against Filner, the AP reported.
Filner is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 2, the AP reported.
Filner was in Imperial County on Friday. He visited Naval Air Facility El Centro and discussed border issues with county and city officials in Calexico.
" CONGRESSMAN FILNER COULD INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO FINE AIRLINES FOR LOSING LUGGAGE, COOPING UP ENTIRE FLIGHTS ON TARMACS FOR HOURS ON END, AND ENSURING FFA PUTS INTO PLACE 21st CENTURY COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE TO PROPERLY HANDLE THE NEARLY 1 BILLION PASSENGERS WHO FLY EACH YEAR OVER UNITED STATES TERRITORY. AS IT IS, AIRLINES DON'T CARE BECAUSE THERE IS NO FINANCIAL INDUCEMENT. FIRST, FILNER HAS TO GO TO IRAQ. ONCE BACK, HE CAN TAKE THE FLAK. "
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bonifacenation wrote on Aug 21, 2007 11:04 PM: