Montana Republican Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte on Wednesday pledged to donate $50,000 to a journalism advocacy group as part of an out-of-court settlement he reached with a Guardian reporter he physically assaulted on the eve of his election, CNBC reports.
Gianforte, a wealthy technology executive who won Montana’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election May 25, also issued a public apology to the reporter, Ben Jacobs, that went further than his previous statements of contrition.
On the eve the elections, Gianforte was about to do a television interview when Jacobs asked a question about congressional Republicans healthcare plan when, as captured in an audio recording, Gianforte physically attacked him..
Jacobs, a political correspondent for the U.S. edition of the Guardian, accused Gianforte of “body-slammming” him, and breaking his eyeglasses.
A spokesman for Gianforte issued a statement saying Jacobs, brandishing a cellphone, interrupted an interview and annoyed the candidate with questions, and that Gianforte reacted by attempting “to grab the phone that was pushed in his face.”
Three Fox News reporters who were also in the room when the incident happened and were preparing for the interview with Gianforte, confirmed that the candidate “grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground … then began punching the reporter”.
Later that evening, the sheriff cited Gianforte for misdemeanor assault, and the next day he was elected to the House.
In his letter of apology to Jacobs, Gianforte said that “the journalist did not initiate any physical contact with him and that he had no right to assault him.
“I am sorry for what I did. I understand the critical role that journalists and the media play in our society. … I acknowledge that the media have an obligation to seek information”, Gianforte added.
“I have accepted Mr. Gianforte’s apology and his willingness to take responsibility for his actions and statements. 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 stated in a response to Gianforte’s apology.
Gianforte still faces a misdemeanor assault charge lodged by the local sheriff’s office, and Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert has said additional, more serious criminal charges could be brought once prosecutors review the evidence from the incident.
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