LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Guam Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio faced charges of official misconduct, reckless conduct and obstructing government function, according to a summons issued by the Superior Court of Guam on Monday.
The document charging Tenorio, the Republican candidate for governor in November's election, was posted online and ordered him to appear in the Superior Court on Oct. 3.
The document noted that Tenorio tried to grab a police officer's loaded gun from the holster six times at a BBQ Block Party on July 7 and in a second attempt the Lt. governor depressed the release button on a holster, lifted the firearm at eye level, dangling its barrel in the direction of a group of policemen who were on duty.
Tenorio's attempts forced a policeman to push him to take back the firearm, causing him to stumble and scream, the document said, noticing that at times the 47-year-old defendant "reeked of alcohol and that his face was red."
After the incident, Tenorio told the Pacific Daily News that he believed he did a right thing at the party and it would be a teachable moment for the officer.
Tenorio also issued a statement Monday, saying that he was innocent.
"I am 100 percent confident that the courts will find me completely innocent and reaffirm that my actions were in the interest of public safety," the statement said.
"I will clear my name of this unfortunate politically motivated attack but not before these baseless accusations have tarnished this election season," it said.
A misdemeanor conviction cannot prevent Tenorio from running for elected office, according to Guam law, unless the misdemeanor is related to a "crime of moral turpitude."
