WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, has entered a plea days before he was set for trial on assault and battery charges over allegations he pushed a United Airlines baggage employee at Dulles International Airport.
At a hearing in Loudoun County, Va., General District Court on Monday Filner entered a so-called Alford plea after prosecutors reduced the charges to trespassing, according to a statement issued through his attorney. That means he did not admit guilt, but acknowledged sufficient evidence exists for a conviction.
He was fined $100.
Filner was accused in the Aug. 19 incident of trying to shove past a female baggage worker into an employee-only area after his bags were delayed. He was set for trial Dec. 4.
The baggage worker, Joanne Kay Kunkel, alleged in a criminal complaint that Filner barged past other customers, screamed at employees and repeatedly pushed her. He yelled “You can't stop me,” according to her complaint.
Filner apologized in a statement Monday but also denied any physical violence.
“At the time, it wouldn't have occurred to me that entering an airport office under these circumstances would be considered trespassing. But I understand now that, since I was told to stay out, it can be considered trespass. That's why I'm entering what I understand is called an Alford plea: I did, in fact, go back there,” Filner said.
“I want to make clear that I did not strike, push, or shove anyone,” he said. “It's very important to me that the record be clear on this point. Nor did I seek any sort of special treatment because I was a congressman.”
Filner's plea may not be the last word on the incident: The House Ethics Committee announced plans in September to investigate the airport run-in after criminal proceedings were over.
Filner is in his eighth term representing California's 51st Congressional District that borders Mexico. He chairs the Veterans Affairs Committee.
