News 10 WTEN: Albany, New York News, Weather, SportsJohn & Gayle Sweeney Stand Side-By-Side, Firing Back

John & Gayle Sweeney Stand Side-By-Side, Firing Back

Congressman John Sweeney and his wife are telling the public their side of the story, after reports of a physical fight.

It is a strong reaction to reports in the Times Union and New York Daily News, which said they had a police incident report from back in December, in which the congressman's wife called 9-1-1 during an argument.

Wednesday, the couple is standing side-by-side, and firing back.

"The report is false...there was no domestic violence," Sweeney says.

Congressman John Sweeney says a report that his wife called an emergency dispatcher in December, saying he was "knocking her around the house," is a fake. Instead, he says, it is all part of a political smear campaign, spearheaded by his challenger, Kirsten Gillibrand.

"I love my wife, I love my children, I love my family, and I will not allow them to be dragged in this just because my opponent has the thirst and desire to have power," says Sweeney.

In the report, said to be a police blotter, it states that, "upon the dispatcher calling back, the husband answered and stated there was no problem."

It then goes on to say that, "the wife got on the phone, and stated that she is drunk. The caller sounding intoxicated, and advising that she was endangered for a moment, but that everything is fine."

"Like my wife, I would call on the State Police to release the original report," Sweeney says.

The couple stood arm-in arm - Sweeney's wife, quiet, although earlier in the day she did release a statement over the phone.

"The evening in question was a very difficult time for our family," Gayle Sweeney says. "Real life has real problems. Like every family, we have personal challenges that we must overcome."

Mrs. Sweeney also taped a new ad Tuesday morning, with anger for her husband's opponent.

"Your campaign, Mrs. Gillibrand, is a disgrace," she says in the ad.

Kirsten Gillibrand did release a response to the alleged report and the Sweeney's accusations against her. She says:

"It is Mr. Sweeney's word versus that of numerous police sources and trusted local news organizations across our region. In five days, voters will get to decide which they trust."

Gillibrand goes on to say, "multiple sources have made it clear that police responded to a domestic violence incident, reported from Mr. Sweeney's home in December. This is about John Sweeney's behavior, his history of lies, his arrogance and bullying."

You can count on NEWS10 to bring you all the pre-voting controversies, as well as the results as you go to the polls on Election Day.

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