Allegedly Pushed Past Baggage Worker, Entered Restricted
Area
Maybe he was
just trying to show his constituents that he, too, is fed up
with the airlines. California Congressman Bob Filner is in some hot
water with the law, following an alleged incident involving a
United Airlines employee Sunday night at Dulles International
Airport in Washington, DC.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the southern California
Democrat faces assault and battery charges, after he allegedly
shoved his way past the outstretched arm of a United Airlines
baggage worker, and entered a restricted area.
Courtney Prebich, assistant media relations manager of the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said Filner refused to
leave the claim office when the baggage worker told him to do so.
The employee called the airport police, who interviewed the
Congressman. They also spoke to several witnesses to the
incident.
So, what set the esteemed lawmaker off? Filner was reportedly
ticked he had to wait so long for his luggage. WJLA-7 reports
several witnesses say Filner yelled "You can't stop me," before
shoving the employee and refusing to leave the claim office.
“United regrets that the customer experienced a delay in
claiming his bag," the airline said Monday. "The safety and
security of our employees and our customers is our number one
priority, and we are fully cooperating with the authorities in the
investigation into this incident.”
After being questioned by officers, Filner was allowed to
leave... but was told the employee would be pressing charges, which
she did later Sunday evening before a Loudon County magistrate.
Filner was summoned to appear in court October 2, on a misdemeanor
charge of assault and battery.
The congressman had no comment Monday afternoon, though his
office later released a statement.
“Congressman Bob Filner is on his way to Iraq, visiting
our troops, and will have a full statement when he returns," the
statement reads. "Suffice it to say now, that the story that has
appeared in the press is factually incorrect -- and the charges are
ridiculous.”
This isn't the first time Filner has shown signs of a temper.
The eight-term incumbent -- who also chairs the Veterans Affairs
Committee -- shouted several obscenities at two VA officials during
a briefing last year regarding the theft of a laptop computer
containing personnel information.
Those officials called the briefing a "publicity stunt," which
angered Filner.