Montana GOP Candidate Charged With Misdemeanor Assault of Reporter

The Republican candidate for Montana's sole congressional seat was charged with misdemeanor assault Wednesday night after witnesses told police Greg Gianforte grabbed a reporter by the neck and slammed him to the ground the night before polls close in the nationally-watched election.

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Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin made the announcement late Wednesday in a statement posted to the county web site. Gianforte would face a maximum $500 fine or 6 months in jail if convicted. The statement added that the reporter's injuries did not meet the legal definition of felony assault.

Gianforte was in a private office preparing for an interview with Fox News when reporter Ben Jacobs of The Guardian came in without permission, campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said.

To read more, please visit: https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-05-24/parti...