U.S. Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-FL) delivers remarks in the Property Chamber all through the fourth working day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Earn McNamee | Getty Illustrations or photos
A Florida woman was billed with felony battery soon after she allegedly threw a glass of wine on Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., officers stated Tuesday.
The female, 41-12 months-previous Selena Chambers of Tallahassee, threw the consume at the congressman immediately after “swearing loudly” at him as she handed him at a wine festival in northwest Florida on Saturday, a man or woman who was with Gaetz at the time explained to police.
That particular person, Blaine Odom, reported that “Chambers then walked away yelling and flipping him off,” in accordance to an arrest report presented to CNBC by the Walton County Sheriff’s Place of work.
But Chambers explained to an officer at the time of her arrest that she “was walking and tripped and spilled her consume on Representative Gaetz,” in accordance to the report. She also said that she experienced eaten alcoholic beverages at the festival, and that she recognized Gaetz right before spilling her drink.
Stacy Froeschner, who was with Chambers at the time, mentioned she experienced cursed at Gaetz as they walked past him, the arrest report explained.
Other witnesses advised officers that they noticed Chambers throw the consume, the report said.
Mugshot of Selena Jo Chambers
Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff’s Office environment
Chambers was charged with two counts of battery. 1 rely is a misdemeanor, although the other, battery on an elected formal, is a felony under Florida regulation.
Chambers was booked Saturday evening, posted a $1,000 bond and was launched Sunday morning.
Each Gaetz and Odom had been splashed, but neither been given any bodily injuries, the report pointed out.
Gaetz in a press release Tuesday afternoon vowed to press fees in opposition to the specific who “assaulted” him “in order to uphold the civility our community deserves.”
“I will hardly ever allow the protection of Northwest Floridians to be comprised,” Gaetz claimed in that statement, which did not depth the alleged incident.
CNBC could not instantly get hold of Chambers for comment.
The report does not specify no matter whether Chambers allegedly threw wine or one more alcoholic beverage, but a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s workplace told CNBC in a phone contact that Gaetz was strike with wine.
