Topline
A Florida woman was charged with two counts of battery after allegedly tossing a glass of wine at hard-right Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) during a private event, local police confirmed Tuesday—the latest attack on a member of Congress.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said he insisted on pressing charges against a woman who allegedly threw … [+]
Key Facts
Local police in Walton County—part of the Florida Panhandle—arrested 41-year-old Selena Jo Chambers Saturday night, after she allegedly threw wine at both Gaetz at the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, a private event Gaetz was attending with his wife in the coastal resort town of Sandestin, east of Pensacola.
She was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of battery against an elected official, a felony in Florida, according to local records—though Chambers told police she slipped and accidentally poured her drink on Gaetz, the Pensacola News Journal reported.
Gaetz, a controversial fourth-term Florida Republican, said he chose to press charges, arguing in a video captioned “When Leftist Winos Attack” that by allowing “stuff to be thrown or hurled,” there is a “severe risk of escalation and accident.”
Chambers posted a $1,000 bond and was released Sunday morning (Forbes has reached out to Chambers for comment).
Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a Facebook post confirming the charges: “We cannot allow an environment where you can throw things at elected officials because you don’t like them,” adding it “will not be tolerated in Walton County.”
Surprising Fact
Another woman in 2019 was sentenced to 15 days in prison and fined $500 after throwing a slushie at Gaetz at a campaign event. Amanda Kondrat’yev, the 35-year-old accused of tossing a red slushie at the congressman, pleaded guilty to assault charges and admitted to throwing it.
Crucial Quote
“When they really cross the Rubicon beyond just words to throwing stuff and striking me and striking a gentleman I was speaking with with a drink, well then that has really caused harm to our community and it’s something we want to contain and extinguish and not see going forward,” Gaetz said in a video posted on Twitter.
Key Background
An outspoken Republican, Gaetz has faced criticism for espousing far-right conspiracy theories. He drew nationwide attention two years ago after federal prosecutors investigated him over an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old—but he did not face charges after the Justice Department found key witnesses had credibility issues (Gaetz consistently denied all allegations against him). He’s the latest lawmaker, or family member of a lawmaker, to be targeted in recent months: Paul Pelosi, the husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was attacked by a man with a hammer in October. Threats against federal lawmakers have soared in recent years, climbing 400% since 2017, according to U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger, who took over the police force after the January 6 Capitol riots, during which protesters reportedly chanted: “Where are you Nancy?”
Further Reading
Florida woman arrested, charged with battery after allegedly throwing drink at Matt Gaetz (Pensacola News Journal)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/05/02/florida-woman-arrested-for-allegedly-throwing-wine-at-matt-gaetz/