Current:Home > InvestRep. Jamaal Bowman pleads guilty to a misdemeanor for pulling a fire alarm in House office building-LoTradeCoin
Rep. Jamaal Bowman pleads guilty to a misdemeanor for pulling a fire alarm in House office building
View Date:2024-12-23 20:53:12
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor count for triggering a fire alarm as lawmakers scrambled to pass a funding bill before a government shutdown deadline.
He will pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation, after which the false fire alarm charge is expected to be dismissed under an agreement with prosecutors.
The alarm forced the evacuation of a House office building for over an hour on Sept. 30. The New York lawmaker acknowledged pulling the alarm but said it was a mistake as he tried to open an unexpectedly locked door in a rush to get to vote. The funding package was ultimately approved with most Republicans and almost all Democrats, including Bowman, supporting the bill.
“I really regret that this caused so much confusion and that people had to evacuate, and I just caused a disturbance. I hate that. It’s pretty embarrassing,” Bowman told reporters after his plea hearing.
Republicans have criticized Bowman, calling his explanation an “excuse” and pointing out he passed several police officers without telling them he had pulled the alarm. At the time of the evacuation, House Democrats were working to delay a vote on a funding bill to keep federal agencies open, saying they needed time to review a bill that Republicans abruptly released to avoid a shutdown.
Bowman said he didn’t tell officers about the error because he was rushing to make the vote, not delay it.
The case was filed by the District of Columbia attorney general’s office, which said Bowman was “treated like anyone else who violates the law.”
Bowman is also expected to formally apologize to Capitol police as part of his plea deal.
veryGood! (8114)
Related
- Man who stole and laundered roughly $1B in bitcoin is sentenced to 5 years in prison
- Video shows suspects steal $300,000 worth of designer goods in 'flash mob burglary'
- Federal judge will hear arguments on potential takeover of New York City’s troubled jail system
- So-far unfixable problem with 2023 Ford Explorer cameras frustrates customers, dealers
- Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
- Beer in Britain's pubs just got cheaper, thanks to changes in the alcohol tax
- Dog finds woman in cornfield, 2 days after she disappeared in Michigan crash
- 'Transportation disaster' strands Kentucky students for hours, cancels school 2 days
- Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
- Nick Kyrgios pulls out of US Open, missing all four Grand Slam events in 2023
Ranking
- Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
- NOAA doubles the chances for a nasty Atlantic hurricane season due to hot ocean, tardy El Nino
- AP Week in Pictures: North America
- Fund sued over grant program for Black women enlists prominent civil rights attorneys to fight back
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long record of promoting anti-vaccine views
- Drew Lock threws for 2 TDs, including one to undrafted rookie WR Jake Bobo in Seahawks win
- Coal miners say new limits on rock dust could save some lives
- Standoff in Michigan ends with suspect dead and deputy US marshal injured
Recommendation
-
'Cowboy Carter' collaborators to be first country artists to perform at Rolling Loud
-
Iran transfers 5 Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in step toward deal for full release
-
Civil suit can continue against corrupt former deputy linked to death of Mississippi man
-
Pink baby! Fan goes into labor at Boston concert, walks to hospital to give birth to boy
-
Let Demi Moore’s Iconic Fashion Give You More Inspiration
-
Grocery deals, battery disposal and phone speed: These tech tips save you time and cash
-
Caitlin Clark, Iowa teammates seek to pack football stadium for Oct. basketball matchup
-
Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade Strip Down in Steamy New Music Video