APNewsBreak: Ethics complaint made over 2017 reporter attack

By Matt Volz Associated Press

Thursday, May 24, 2018 3:45 AM

HELENA, Mont. (AP) The head of the Montana Democratic Party is asking for a congressional investigation into whether Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte lied to the police and the public when he assaulted a reporter last year.

Executive Director Nancy Keenan sent her request to the Office of Congressional Ethics and the House Committee on Ethics on Thursday.

It's been exactly one year since Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte "body-slammed" him for asking him a question the day before Gianforte won a special election for Montana's U.S. House seat.

Gianforte eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and said Jacobs did nothing wrong. But he initially told police that Jacobs instigated the attack.

Keenan's complaint says Gianforte's false statements violated House ethics rules, even though he wasn't yet elected or sworn in.

APNewsBreak: Ethics complaint made over 2017 reporter attack

FILE - This Aug. 25, 2017 file booking photo provided by Gallatin County, Mont., shows U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., at the Gallatin County Detention Center in Bozeman, Mont. Executive Director Nancy Keenan is asking for a congressional investigation into whether Republican Gianforte lied to the police and the public about his attack of a reporter last year. (Gallatin County via AP, File)

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File - In this Sept. 29, 2016, file photo, Chairperson of the Montana Democratic Party Nancy Keenan talks about then Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte during a news conference on the steps of the State Capitol in Helena, Mont. The head of the Montana Democratic Party on Thursday, May 24, 2018, is asking for a congressional ethics investigation into whether Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte lied to the police and the public about his attack of a reporter last year. The request by the party's executive director, Keenan, comes exactly one year after Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte "body slammed" him for asking a question the day before he won a special election for Montana's only U.S. House seat. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)

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FILE - In this May 25, 2017, file photo, Greg Gianforte celebrates his win over Rob Quist for Montana's open congressional seat in Bozeman, Mont. The head of the Montana Democratic Party on Thursday, May 24, 2018, is asking for a congressional ethics investigation into whether Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte lied to the police and the public about his attack of a reporter last year. The request by the party's executive director, Nancy Keenan, comes exactly one year after Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte "body slammed" him for asking a question the day before he won a special election for Montana's only U.S. House seat. (Rachel Leathe/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP, File)

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