Gianforte Issued a Citation for Misdemeanor Assault

Republican candidate for Congress Greg Gianforte is being issued a citation for misdemeanor assault after a reporter alleged that Gianforte attacked him yesterday during a meeting with reporters, throwing him to the ground and breaking his glasses.

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office issued the following statement late last night:

Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault . . . The nature of the injuries did not meet the statutory elements of felony assault"

Gianforte received the citation on Wednesday night and is scheduled to appear in Gallatin County Justice Court between now and June 7, 2017.

The incident came just one day before the special election for the At-Large Congressional District of Montana to replace Ryan Zinke (R), who stepped down after being appointed secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior by President Donald Trump.