Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) faces misdemeanor charges for setting off a fire alarm at the Cannon House Office Building with the intent of obstructing a House floor vote.
The most time you could spend in jail for this charge is six months. Frank Thorp of NBC News was the first to report on the story.
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) released a statement that stated, “We completed our investigation. Our agents collected all of the evidence, put it in a package, and forwarded the charges and the whole case over to the prosecutors for review.”
Bowman is being charged by the D.C. AG with 22DC1319A, which is False Fire Alarm. USCP gave the AG a probable cause arrest order for Bowman.
He was told to show up in D.C. Superior Court this week at 9:30 a.m. EDT for his hearing.
In order to get access to vote on government funds, the former middle school administrator said that he pulled the fire alarm.
Breitbart News reported that Bowman pulled the alarm, tossed emergency signs onto the floor, ran down a flight of stairs, and then left the building from a different floor, which was not what he said.
A motion to kick Bowman out of Congress has been written by Republicans.
***UPDATE***
Axios reports that Bowman and the Attorney General came to a deal where he would pay a $1,000 fine and say sorry in writing in exchange for having the charge dismissed after three months.
If the lawmaker follows through on the deal, he will not have to go to jail.
A statement from Bowman said, “I am responsible for setting off a fire alarm. I am going to pay the fine and I am looking forward to these charges getting dismissed in the end.”
Congress could still take more steps against Bowman, such as censure or even removal.
