Bundgaard enters ‘not guilty’ plea

Luige del Puerto//June 27, 2011

Senate Republicans have chosen to keep Sen. Scott Bundgaard as majority leader, despite calls from some for him to step down. Bundgaard, who was involved in a domestic violence incident on Feb., 25 with then-girlfriend Aubrey Ballard, has said his name will be cleared as the "issue works through the process." (Photo by Ryan Cook/RJ Cook Photography) — Sen. Scott Bundgaard (Photo by Ryan Cook/RJ Cook Photography)

Sen. Scott Bundgaard, the Peoria Republican who is facing misdemeanor charges over a physical scuffle with his then-girlfriend in February, has entered a “not guilty” plea.

Because his lawyer already entered a plea, Bundgaard’s arraignment, which was originally set for tomorrow, was canceled.

Instead, a pretrial disposition conference is scheduled for July 18, the Phoenix Municipal Court said.

Earlier this month, Phoenix city prosecutors charged Bundgaard with reckless endangerment and reckless assault. Both were designated as domestic violence offenses.

Reckless endangerment, a Class 1 misdemeanor, carries a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail, three years of probation and $4,620 in fines. Reckless assault, a Class 2 misdemeanor, carries a maximum penalty of 120 days in jail, two years of probation and $1,400 in fines.

The charges stemmed from a physical altercation Bundgaard had with his then girlfriend Aubry Ballard on the way home after appearing in a charity fundraiser on Feb. 25.

Both were both bruised, but gave different accounts of the altercation.

Phoenix police later recommended charges against the legislator after concluding that her account matched those of five witnesses who reported seeing him pushing her.

As a result of the incident, Bundgaard was forced out of his position as majority leader in the Senate.

Tags: domestic violence, Endangerment, United States, Misdemeanor, Violence and Abuse, Scott Bundgaard, women, People

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