Gianforte sentenced to complete community service after assaulting reporter

Representative-elect Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) was given a 180-day deferred sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to assaulting a reporter, the Associated Press reported.

Gianforte body-slammed a reporter from The Guardian the day before a special election vote to fill Montana’s sole House seat last month. 

He was ordered Monday to complete 40 hours of community service and 20 hours of anger management counseling. He will also have to pay a $385 fine. 

{mosads}The Republican ultimately won Montana’s vacant House seat. His campaign initially framed the altercation as “aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist,” but Gianforte apologized at his victory party the next day.

Last week, The Guardian reported that Gianforte issued a full apology to reporter Ben Jacobs.

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

The publication also reported the future congressman had agreed to give $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists.