Rep. Bob Filner Charged With Assault on Virginia Airport Worker

Monday, August 20, 2007

WASHINGTON — California Rep. Bob Filner was facing charges Monday for allegedly assaulting an airline worker at Dulles International Airport after becoming upset that his luggage had not arrived at a baggage carousel.

Filner, 64, is slated to appear in Loudoun County, Va., General District Court on Oct. 2. Court officials could not say whether the San Diego Democrat had been served the summons yet to show up on that date. Filner's office passed all inquiries directly to the congressman, who has yet to respond.

According to law enforcement officials, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police were called to the United Airlines baggage claim office at about 6 p.m. Sunday evening for a report of an incident with a passenger regarding his baggage.

"The individual allegedly attempted to enter an area authorized for airline employees only, pushed aside the employees outstretched arm and refused to leave the area when asked by an airline employee," according to airport police.

"When MWAA officers arrived a few minutes later, the man had left the office and was waiting in the area of a bag carousel. Officers interviewed him and witnesses and released him. Before the individual left the airport, officers advised him that the airline employee would be pursuing charges," the police statement reads.

The statement says the airport worker filed assault and battery charges, a class 1 misdemeanor.

A source familiar with the incident told FOX News that when Filner's luggage didn’t show up in the claim area fast enough, he allegedly stormed into the United baggage office and insisted on knowing where his bag was. The agent was working with another customer and told him to wait.

The source alleged that Filner refused to step back and when the worker told him to leave the office, he said, “You can’t stop me.” She replied: "No, but the police can.”

Filner allegedly pushed aside the agent's outstretched arm and proceeded into an area off-limits to customers, where another agent was on the line with police. The agent could be heard from the back room telling him, “You have to go.”

He supposedly responded: “I’m not going until I get my bag. You’re treating us like animals.”

As the Democratic lawmaker grappled with the police, his bags arrived. United Airlines issued a statement expressing regret over the incident.

"United regrets that the customer experienced a delay in claiming his bag. 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," the statement reads.

Filner, a founding member of the Progressive Caucus, is chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, which has been dealing this term with post-traumatic stress disorder issues and veterans patient care in the wake of the Walter Reed Army hospital scandal, among other issues.

He is one of a handful of lawmakers who earlier this month opposed the Defense Department appropriations for fiscal year 2006.

Should have flown first class...........the bag would have been waiting for him.

She was already at the airport terminal curb in her Mercedes.

I just love the awesome symmetry of the arrogant bastards that run airports rasslin' with the privileged bastard from Congress. Reminds me of that quote Zeitgeist used to pop into conversation concerning tyrrany will be gone when the last prince is strangled by the intestines of the last priest -- or something like that.

Gawd, wouldn't you love to see the tape of the main event? please jayzus, somebody put it on Youtube!

B

Sometimes you have a meeting of two idiots....

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I ran into a bit of that (local level) type of BS this weekend...

The area (outdoor Beer Tent) was licensed for "Class B Malt Beverage" only, no "Class A Alcohol" sales or drinks allowed...simple rule, a PIA to enforce, particularly when mixed drinks are $3.00 in a plastic cup (8 oz.), being sold in two establishments no more that 300 feet away, the town has no "Open Container" rules and the person that's holding the drink is already $21.00 in the bag...

"I know Mike _____ and he's full of chit."
"I'm on the County Board."
"I'm the grand pu-ba that's sponsoring this event."
"I own half this town."
(Insert inane comment that you've heard that proves nothing, here...)

As far as I'm concerned, tazer them 'til they either apologize for being an @ss, or allow an Officer to fire a few warning shots into them to cool 'em off...

If they don't survive their "touch with reality" - Darwin just acquired a few more samples of his handiwork...

As for that jackass representative, I hope the Union representing that worker jumps his @ss, and they put some other, better-trained, democrat in his place...won't happen though...he's some big-ass Democrat on some committee...and Harry Reid isn't about to take a bad apple out of the barrel.

Hey folks! With privelege comes disrespect.

At least Filner wasn't flying the plane over some bridge in D.C..

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

No republician a$$es, right?

I cannot help but remember John Sunnunu taking a whiteshouse limo to the ball game or such.

This guy was at least flying coach like the rest of us.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Good grief. Must everything be party politics with you guys?

B

Personally, I long for the good old days when Congressmen confined their fist fights and physical assaults to each other within the confines of the Capitol building.

Can you imagine how much more exciting CSPAN would be if they'd have some real knock-down, drag-out fist fights in Congress like they did back in the Nineteenth Century? Boy! That would be sweet. This current bunch of pussies just call each other names . . .

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Hey, that last guy said "pussies!"

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

So we happen to have a jerk who has a position. There are plenty of other jerks out there but since they don't have the position in life, they are not reported on.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

1. At least the stupid jerk didin't hire a private jet at the tax payers expense..

2. I am glad the airport employee is filing charges-- yippppeeeeee!

3. Maybe for his community service he can be a baggage handler.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

#3 -- justice.

No tom, he took a military C-141 to Vail. Get your facts straight!

His total personal travels were $615,000; he repaid $865 of that.

Good god.

B