He won't say why just yet, but Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) calls charges of assault and battery filed against him "ridiculous" and "factually incorrect."

Filner, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has been summoned to appear in Loudoun County, Va., District General District Court to answer to the misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident at Washington Dulles International Airport Sunday night.

Allegedly angry that his baggage hadn't arrived, Filner tried to enter a restricted area near the United Airlines baggage claim, "pushed aside" an airline employee's arm and "refused to leave the area when asked," according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. He may have picked the wrong employee, who decided to press charges.

Filner's office issued a terse statement in response to requests for comment:

"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 [sic] the story that has appeared in the press is factually incorrect - and the charges are ridiculous."

Washington Airports Authority spokeswoman Tara Hamilton said officers did not arrest Filner but advised him that the airline employee he allegedly assaulted would be pursuing charges.

Filner, who turns 65 on Sept. 4, is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 2.

By Mary Ann Akers  |  August 20, 2007; 7:05 PM ET
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