ON POLITICS

Montana congressman Greg Gianforte to get mugshot, fingerprints for 'body slam' of reporter

Sean Rossman
USA TODAY

Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte, who assaulted a reporter on the eve of his May election to Congress, will have his mugshot and fingerprints taken.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Justice Court Judge Rick West last week said the Republican congressman must go to a local detention center by Sept. 15 to have his booking information taken. 

Gianforte's legal team said he shouldn't have to undergo the booking process, the Guardian reported, since he was never arrested for assaulting Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs on the night before he was elected to succeed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in representing the state. 

On May 24, Jacobs was asking Gianforte about his stance on health care when Gianforte "body slammed" him, Jacobs said in a tweet. The incident quickly became national news, causing newspapers to remove their endorsements for Gianforte and casting a light on the special election.

The day after the incident, Gianforte won the election and apologized to Jacobs, saying he "learned a lesson." He was later cited for misdemeanor assault and later pleaded guilty to the charge in mid-June.

The Daily Chronicle reported Gianforte must do 40 hours of community service, pay $385 in fines and fees, and undergo 20 hours of anger management.

Gianforte's spokesman Travis Hall told theBillings Gazette Gianforte's attorneys may consider an appeal.

"Greg remains focused on meeting with Montanans from all of the state's 56 counties and being a strong voice for Montana in Washington," Hall said in a statement.

Follow Sean Rossman on Twitter: @SeanRossman