Rep. Filner Disputes Airline Employee's Assault Charges

Some details are now available regarding the alleged scuffle involving Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), who represents San Diego, at Dulles Airport on Sunday night. It seems that Filner got a little frustrated while trying to find his bag in a United Airlines baggage claim office, and according to a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police statement, then "attempted to enter an area authorized for airline employees only," and "pushed aside the employee's outstretched arm and refused to leave the area when asked by an airline employee."

Airport police were called to the scene, and Filner was briefly detained and then released after being interviewed at the airport. The female airline employee assisted Loudoun County authorities in filing charges of assault and battery against the Congressman.

Filner's office issued a brief statement indicating the Congressman would fight the charges, and that believing them means you hate America: "Congressman Bob Filner is on his way to Iraq, visiting our troops, 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 says.