Former Rhode Island lawmaker denies assaulting man

WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A former Rhode Island lawmaker is denying he assaulted another man last month.

WPRI-TV reports (https://bit.ly/2stYOLA ) former House Minority Leader Robert Watson pleaded not guilty Monday in Warwick to charges of simple assault and disorderly contact.

Police say Watson was arrested May 26 after he hit a 47-year-old man who was driving him to court with a padlock in East Greenwich. Authorities say Watson left the vehicle and then got into an altercation when the driver followed him.

Police say a homeowner called the police.

The former legislator was arrested in 2016 by East Greenwich police. Police say Watson broke a bank’s glass door.

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Information from: WPRI-TV, https://www.wpri.com