New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman turned himself in Thursday morning to plead guilty to one count of falsely pulling a fire alarm, agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine.
In a bid to extinguish a firestorm he kicked up Sept. 30 by activating the alarm in the Cannon Office Building ahead of a vote to avert a partial government shutdown, the Bronx and Westchester Democrat also agreed to pen an apology letter to the Capitol Police chief.
In exchange, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s office will dismiss the charges against Bowman in three months, provided the congressman doesn’t offend again.
The charge of raising a false fire alarm comes with a maximum sentence of six months in prison under DC law, as well as a fine of up to $1,000.
“I’m thankful for the quick resolution from the D.C. Attorney General’s office on this issue and grateful that the United States Capitol Police General Counsel’s office agreed I did not obstruct nor intend to instruct any House vote or proceedings,” Bowman, 57, said in a statement Wednesday.
“I am responsible for activating a fire alarm, I will be paying the fine issued, and I look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped.”
A spokesperson for US Capitol Police clarified Wednesday evening: “Our General Counsel did not, nor anyone in our Department, make that determination. We sent the thoroughly investigated case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and prosecutors there did not pursue it.”
Under the deal, Bowman acknowledged that he “willfully and knowingly” gave a “false alarm of a fire,” in violation of District law.
The outspoken socialist testified that “he did not tell anyone” about the snafu until the House “Sergeant at Arms contacted him” and denied that he “intended to cause a fire alarm,” per an affidavit.
Critics have noted that Bowman served as a principal at Cornerstone Academy for Social Action in the Bronx, where students could be suspended or expelled for falsely pulling a fire alarm.
The door and the alarm were clearly marked, with a sign stating: “Emergency Exit Only Push Until Alarm Sounds (3 Seconds) Door Will Unlock in 30 Seconds,” per an investigator.
Bowman publicly insisted he was in a mad rush to make the vote on legislation to avert a partial government shutdown on Sept. 30 at 11:59 pm.
Democrats were given a copy of the spending patch Republicans crafted just before the vote was set to take place. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) used his so-called “magic minute” speaking authority to seemingly buy time so his party could comb through the legislation for any poison pills.
Surveillance footage showed Bowman “jogging” down a staircase away from the emergency door before “walking at a normal pace” when he exited the building, according to investigators.
Ultimately, an investigator concluded there was “probable cause to believe that the defendant willfully or knowingly gave a false fire alarm in the District of Columbia.”
“I think we all know that Republicans will attempt to use this to distract everyone from their mess, but I look forward to putting this behind me and to continue working hard to deliver for New Yorkers,” Bowman said Wednesday.
Republicans have roundly mocked and condemned Bowman’s actions, with some calling for him to be expelled from the House.
Scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is among those backing a resolution to censure Bowman over his actions. Santos is facing 23 federal counts, including alleged embezzlement of campaign funds, lying to Congress, and more.
Bowman is expected to return to court for a hearing on Jan. 29, 2024, to review his compliance with the deal and weigh dismissal of the charge.