Gianforte due in court Monday for ‘body slamming’

Rep.-elect Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) is due in court for sentencing Monday after he was charged with misdemeanor assault on the eve of his election for body slamming a reporter.

Montana’s Gallantin County Court ordered Thursday that Gianfort appear Monday June 12 at 10 a.m. for an “initial appearance, arraignment and sentencing.”

Judge Rick West signed Thursday’s order, which lists the State of Montana as the plaintiff and Gianforte as the defendant.

{mosads}

The Guardian reported Wednesday that Gianforte had issued a full apology to its journalist Ben Jacobs following an alleged physical altercation between them in May.

“Notwithstanding anyone’s statements to the contrary, you did not initiate any physical contact with me, and I had no right to assault you,” Gianforte wrote in formal apology letter to Jacobs.

“I am sorry for what I did and the unwanted notoriety this has created for you. I take full responsibility.”

The Guardian also reported that Gianforte had agreed to donate $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“I hope the constructive resolution of this incident reinforces for all the importance of respecting the freedom of the press and the first amendment and encourages more civil and thoughtful discourse in our country,” Jacobs said Wednesday in a statement noting he accepted Gianforte’s apology.

Gianforte stunned the political world when he allegedly body-slammed Jacobs to the floor last month, breaking the reporter’s glasses.

The Republican ultimately won Montana’s vacant House seat a day later and apologized for the confrontation.

Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault following the encounter, and now faces a maximum of six months in jail, a $500 fine, or both.