updated 12:21 a.m. ET April 20, 2006

MIAMI - Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden’s attorney denied that Bowden and his girlfriend scuffled before the couple was arrested last weekend after he allegedly ran a stop sign.

A police report said Bowden and girlfriend Joy Browning — who were in Florida for a series against the Marlins — were arguing early Monday but assured police they were fine. About 10 minutes later, police said Bowden ran a stop sign.

When they stopped Bowden, police noticed scratches on his right ear and left cheek and told Browning she would be arrested on a domestic violence charge. She refused to get out of the car and struck one of the officers twice after he took her cell phone.

Browning was charged with simple battery, felony resisting arrest with violence and resisting arrest without violence. Bowden was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after allegedly running the stop sign.

“My clients, Mr. Bowden and Ms. Browning, vehemently deny all allegations of domestic battery or domestic violence,” attorney John Bergendahl said. “These allegations are wholly unfounded, and we will aggressively contest and challenge them at each stage of the pending legal proceedings. There has never been any domestic battery or violence during the course of their relationship.”

Bergendahl did not comment on any other charges against his clients.

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Miami Beach Police Department spokesman Bobby Hernandez said Browning was arrested in accordance with police and state policy defining domestic violence.

“They were witnessed by the officers prior to the stop in an argument. They approached them, and there were no signs of any physical altercations between them. At the stop there were visible signs of domestic violence against Mr. Bowden,” Hernandez said.

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