Day in court job 1 for new Montana congressman
BOZEMAN, Montana — Montana’s new congressman hasn’t even been sworn into his first public office, but people are already talking about his prospects in 2018 and even 2020.
First things first though for Greg Gianforte, who has to deal with a misdemeanour assault charge he received the day before the election after witnesses said he slammed a reporter to the ground.
Gianforte could have appeared in court in Bozeman on Friday to resolve the charge, but did not and has a June 7 legal deadline do so.
He faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $500 US fine if convicted.
It’s rare for people to serve jail time for misdemeanours unless they have serious criminal records. The Gallatin County attorney is also reviewing the case to see if additional charges are merited.
Montana Democrats on Friday called for Gianforte to not be seated in Congress until his legal issues are resolved.
“The people of Montana deserve to finally have representation in the U.S. House,” party chairwoman Nancy Keenan said in a statement. “However, they should not have to be represented by a man who is currently facing an assault charge for body slamming another person.”
There is no legal impediment to Gianforte becoming a member of Congress with a pending misdemeanour. Republican Rep. Michael Grimm of New York, for example, returned to Congress facing an indictment for federal tax fraud and kept his seat even after he pleaded guilty, only leaving after voluntarily resigning. Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, remains in the upper chamber while under federal indictment for corruption.
It’s also unclear how quickly Gianforte can assume his seat. Montana has been without a congressman since Rep. Ryan Zinke became secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior in March, creating the vacancy that sparked the special election.
But Congress is out of session until June 6, and Montana is not expected to formally certify Gianforte’s victory until at least June 15.
Gianforte apologized for the confrontation when he declared victory Thursday night. He was not available for interviews on Friday, a spokesman said.