Judge orders Montana congressman photographed, fingerprinted
HELENA, Mont. — A judge has ordered Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte to be photographed and fingerprinted for assaulting a reporter, opening the possibility of the congressman’s mug shot to be used by political opponents next year when Gianforte is up for re-election.
Justice Court Judge Rick West ordered Gianforte, a Republican, to report by Sept. 15 to the Gallatin County Detention Center in Bozeman, Montana, to be booked for the assault charge. The judge issued the order last week and it was first reported Monday by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The congressman’s attorneys did not return phone messages seeking comment on whether he would appeal the ruling. Gianforte spokesman Travis Hall emailed a statement that did not address the ruling.
“Greg remains focused on meeting with Montanans from all of the state’s 56 counties and being a strong voice for Montana in Washington,” the statement said.