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Trump campaign manager charged in Jupiter case

Posted at 11:25 AM, Mar 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-30 05:06:37-04

(WPTV/AP) - Donald Trump's campaign manager was charged Tuesday morning after a reporter said she was grabbed earlier this month during a news conference at Trump National Golf Club. 

Corey Lewandowski, 42, was charged with misdemeanor battery in the case.

Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields, 28, said she was grabbed by Lewandowski during the news conference that was held March 8.

Police in Jupiter issued Lewandowski a notice Tuesday to appear before a judge on May 4 for the misdemeanor charge.

A surveillance video released by the police appears to show Lewandowski grabbing Fields as she tried to ask Trump a question during the event.

The police report states: "Lewandowski grabbed (Michelle) Fields' left arm with his right hand causing her to turn and step back." Fields showed police her left forearm which "appeared to show a grabbing-type injury," according to the investigating officer.

The Trump campaign said Lewandowski "is absolutely innocent of this charge" in a statement released late Tuesday morning.

"He will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court," said the statement. "He is completely confident that he will be exonerated."

Although the Trump campaign issued a statement that said Lewandowski was not arrested. Jupiter police told NewsChannel 5's Tory Dunnan that the time of arrest was 8:10 Tuesday morning.

The police department said Lewandowski was not placed in handcuffs but said that a notice to appear is an arrest.

Trump himself called Lewandowski "a very decent man" on Twitter: "Look at the tapes — nothing there!"

Jupiter police had said they were looking into the incident after Fields filed a report, but investigators did not name Lewandowski until Tuesday.

Lewandowski has retained attorneys in West Palm Beach and Miami.

Donald Trump's campaign manager charged for altercation with reporter