The campaign manager for Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has been charged with simple battery over an incident in which he is alleged to have grabbed a news reporter at a campaign event in Florida.
Corey Lewandowski turned himself in to police early Tuesday to face the misdemeanor charge, according to a report filed by the Jupiter Police department. The police report says a court date has been set for May 4.
Caught on tape
Also Tuesday, the police department released fresh surveillance video of the March 8 event, showing Lewandowski appearing to reach over to grab Michelle Fields - apparently in an attempt to escort the now former Breitbart reporter away as she tried to ask Trump a question.
Watch:Surveillance video of incident
Fields, who later quit her job after complaining of a lack of support over the incident, said she experienced bruising. To support her claim, she tweeted a photo allegedly showing the bruise marks she sustained.
Trump defends aide
"Mr. Lewandowski is absolutely innocent of this charge," the Trump campaign said in a statement Tuesday. "He will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court. He is completely confident that he will be exonerated."
Lewandowski has also denied any wrongdoing. In a message on Twitter, Lewandowski replied directly to Fields, saying, "You are totally delusional. I never touched you. As a matter of fact, I have never even met you."
Trump has repeatedly defended his top aide, saying Fields "made up" the story.
It is one of several instances in which minor clashes have erupted at Trump campaign events.
