Donald Trump campaign: manager “absolutely innocent” of assaulting reporter
The Donald Trump campaign issued a swift response to the criminal charges which came down on campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on Monday, saying he is “absolutely innocent” of misdemeanor battery. Police allege Lewandowski grabbed former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields at a press conference in Florida earlier this month after Fields attempted to ask Trump a question. According to first-hand accounts of the incident, Fields was “clearly roughed up” and fell to the ground after Lewandowski grabbed her by the arm. “Mr. Lewandowski was issued a Notice to Appear and given a court date. He was not arrested. Mr. Lewandowski is absolutely innocent of this charge,” read the Trump campaign’s statement. “He will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court. He is completely confident that he will be exonerated.” The campaign added Lewandowski is represented in the case by attorneys Scott Richardson of the law office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A. in West Palm Beach, and Kendall Coffey of Coffey Burlington in Miami, and that all inquires regarding the suit should be directed to counsel. Lewandowski turned himself in to police early Tuesday morning. Fields quit her post at Breitbart, a conservative online publication, citing a lack of support from the site’s leadership amid her ordeal.
Police charge Donald Trump campaign manager with battery
Florida police have charged Donald Trump‘s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski with simple battery in connection with an incident earlier in the month involving a reporter. Police in Jupiter, Florida, issued Lewandowski a notice Tuesday to appear before a judge on May 4 for the misdemeanor charge. A surveillance video released by the police appears to show Lewandowski grabbing a reporter for Breitbart News as she tried to ask Trump a question during a March 8 campaign event. The Trump campaign said Lewandowski “is absolutely innocent of this charge” in a statement released late Tuesday morning. “He will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court,” said the statement. “He is completely confident that he will be exonerated.” A police report obtained by The Associated Press includes an interview with the reporter, Michelle Fields, who worked for Breitbart News at the time. “Lewandowski grabbed Fields’ left arm with his right hand causing her to turn and step back,” reads the report. Fields showed police her left forearm which “appeared to show a grabbing-type injury,” according to the investigating officer. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
