A lawyer for U.K.-based journalist Ben Jacobs is warning that he may exit a settlement agreement with Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., if the lawmaker keeps “lying” about the 2017 assault, The Hill reported.
Attorney Geoffrey Genth fired off a letter to Gianforte, lashing out at his remarks to the editorial board of The Missoulian in which he claimed he told the truth to the police regarding the incident – and that he was bound by a settlement agreement not to talk about it.
Gianforte initially told police Jacobs initiated the contact – though Gianforte later plead guilty to slamming the Guardian reporter after he asked a question about a GOP health care policy. And according to Genth, there was no confidentiality agreement.
“Rep. Gianforte’s continued lying this month has greatly aggravated the severe harm that Rep. Gianforte previously caused to Ben and Ben's reputation," the letter states, according to a copy posted by Politico.
"The continued lying is unacceptable and actionable. Please advise your client that he and his spokespersons need to stop – immediately and forever – telling lies about the assault, about their own prior lies, about your client’s ‘settlement agreement’ with Ben, or about any other aspect of this matter.
"Ben reserves all rights, including the right to seek rescission of the General Release on the ground of Rep. Gianforte’s fraudulent inducement,” the lawyer added.
After the attack, Gianforte pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault, apologized, and agreed to pay $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
President Donald Trump drew fresh attention to the assault this month at a campaign rally where he praised Gianforte, calling him a "tough cookie" and saying the assault probably helped Gianforte with Montana voters.
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