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