Rep. Gianforte's account to police of assault with reporter appears to contradict his later apology
Source: Washington Post
Ellie Silverman, The Washington Post
Published 7:26 pm, Friday, November 17, 2017
In newly released documents, Greg Gianforte, then the Republican candidate in Montana's special congressional election, told police that a reporter from the Guardian had grabbed his wrist during a physical altercation at his campaign headquarters in May.
His statements appear to contradict the apology he later issued, where he said the reporter Ben Jacobs "did no initiate any physical contact with me, and I had no right to assault you," raising questions about whether the now Congressman was truthful with authorities.
Gianforte won Montana's lone U.S. House seat 24 hours after the assault and in June, he pleaded guilty to charges that he assaulted Jacobs and was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management classes and a $385 fine in court costs, according to the Associated Press.
The documents from Gallatin County law enforcement, made public for the first time Friday, provides more details about the incident at the politician's campaign headquarters on May 24, which was witnessed by other journalists, captured on audio and made national headlines.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Rep-Gianforte-s-account-to-police-of-assault-12367150.php
(Short article, no more at link.)
Judi Lynn
(160,656 posts)Montana congressman falsely said Ben Jacobs had initiated physical contact
Gianforte told police the liberal media is trying to make a story
Julia Carrie Wong
@juliacarriew
Last modified on Friday 17 November 2017 19.09 EST
US congressman Greg Gianforte misled police after his assault of Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs in May, falsely stating that Jacobs had initiated physical contact and that the liberal media is trying to make a story, according to the police incident report.
The records, made public on Friday, provide new details on the violent altercation that occurred on the eve of a special election to fill Montanas sole seat in the US House of Representatives. Jacobs had approached the then candidate at his Bozeman campaign headquarters to ask a question about the Republican healthcare bill when Gianforte threw him to the ground and punched him.
The Republican was nevertheless elected the next day.
Gianforte subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and was sentenced to community service, anger management classes and a $385 fine in June.
More:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/17/greg-gianforte-guardian-reporter-ben-jacobs-assault