Jamaal Bowman Pleads Guilty to Falsely Pulling Fire Alarm
New York Democrat Faces Misdemeanor Charge
Washington, D.C. - August 20, 2021 -
Jamaal Bowman, a New York Democrat, pleaded guilty on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of falsely activating a fire alarm. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Saturday, August 14, when Bowman pulled the fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building.
Bowman admitted that he activated the fire alarm by mistake, thinking it was the elevator button. He was trying to get to a vote on a bill to fund the construction of a new federal courthouse in the Bronx.
The incident caused a brief evacuation of the building, but no one was injured. Bowman was cited by Capitol Police and later charged with a misdemeanor.
In a statement, Bowman apologized for his actions and said he takes full responsibility for his mistake.
"I am deeply sorry for any inconvenience or disruption that my actions caused," Bowman said. "I was trying to get to a vote on an important bill that would have benefited my constituents, and I made a mistake in the process. I am committed to learning from this experience and to serving my constituents with the utmost integrity."
Bowman is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20.
The plea represents a setback for Bowman, who has been a rising star in the Democratic Party since his election to Congress in 2020. He is a vocal advocate for progressive policies and is a member of the "Squad," a group of young, progressive members of Congress.
The incident also highlights the importance of following proper procedures and protocols in public buildings.
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