Congressman admits illegal airport parking

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. congressman illegally parked his Ford Explorer at the Charlotte (N.C.) Douglas International Airport, a spokesman has admitted.

Brock McCleary, a spokesman for Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told Wednesday's Gaston (N.C.) Gazette the congressman was pressed for time Sunday afternoon when he left his car straddling the curb in the parking lot.

"He was running late for a flight and there were no available parking spots," McCleary reportedly wrote in an e-mail Monday. "He made a mistake in not leaving the vehicle in a proper parking spot."

The newspaper said McHenry's car had its front tires on the curb, while its back tires were in the driving area of the parking lot, with one of them atop a yellow speed bump.