Exercise guru Richard Simmons cited for slapping man at Phoenix airport

<br>PHOENIX (AP) _ Exercise guru Richard Simmons allegedly slapped a man who made a sarcastic remark about one of his videos, police said. <br><br>Simmons, known for his ``Sweatin' to the Oldies''

Thursday, March 25th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PHOENIX (AP) _ Exercise guru Richard Simmons allegedly slapped a man who made a sarcastic remark about one of his videos, police said.

Simmons, known for his ``Sweatin' to the Oldies'' series of exercise videos set to songs from the 1950s and 60s, was cited for misdemeanor assault.

A fellow passenger recognized Simmons on Wednesday night at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport as he was waiting for a flight to Los Angeles, police said.

The man ``made the off-hand comment, 'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,''' said Phoenix police Sgt. Tom Osborne. ``Mr. Simmons took exception to it and walked over to the other passenger and apparently slapped him in the face.''

The passenger, whose identity wasn't immediately available, wasn't injured but told police that he intended to file charges against Simmons, 55.

Osborne said Simmons was cited for misdemeanor assault and permitted to board his flight.