Category: Montana News
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Phony flier takes aim at State Bar of Montana
Lobbyist, legislators refute attempt as a ‘scam’ Members of the State Bar of Montana appear to have received a flier from a fictitious organization claiming the Bar is attacking the Legislature, and letting members know they are eligible for a refund. The mailer was sent from an address similar to a longtime Bozeman lawyer whose…
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Substitute judges selected to decide discipline measures for Montana attorney general
Republican Austin Knudsen faces 41 findings of professional conduct violations. Disciplinary proceedings against Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen could be wrapping up, now that judges have been empaneled to decide the outcome. The Montana Supreme Court on Friday selected five district court judges to decide what discipline Knudsen, a Republican, will face for 41 findings of…
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Ellsworth turns from former persecutor to latest Democratic martyr
Liberals in the Montana Senate sure have a funny way of rewarding the guy who tormented them and blocked their legislative plans for years. Besides sympathizing with a man who has seemed to frustrate them for years, the Senate Dems’ moves backing former Senate Majority Leader Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, suggest they’ve decided to jump head-first…
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Ellsworth pushed business associate Eggleston for second role with state government
Ellsworth said his associate could help if Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court needed more support Before Sen. Jason Ellsworth faced allegations of misconduct for signing a $170,000 state contract with his business associate, Bryce Eggleston, the senator from Hamilton pitched Eggleston as a potential candidate for a state communications job. The communications job never existed. However,…
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Montana Senate in ‘chaos’ over vote to refer ethics investigation to DOJ
In quarrel, many Republicans alleged ulterior motives, while Democrats said investigation is rife with politics In a lengthy fight on the Senate floor Thursday, Republicans accused Democrats of playing politics and ushering in a “dark day” for Montana after a successful move by Minority Leader Sen. Pat Flowers to suspend an ethics investigation into Sen.…
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Disciplinary counsel says Montana Attorney General should face punishment for 41 violations
Documents say Knudsen refused court orders, failed to supervise employees, and undercut the justice system as state’s top attorney The lead attorney prosecuting the ethics case of Montana’s top attorney said in his latest filing before the Montana Supreme Court that the case isn’t about the separation of powers, a Constitutional crisis or even the…
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Declining decorum in Senate Judiciary
The chair and vice chair of the Montana Legislature’s Senate Judiciary Committee had an agreement. Sen. Andrea Olsen, a Missoula Democrat and attorney by trade, would pass a note to Sen. Barry Usher, the sometimes-gruff Republican chairman from Molt, whenever Olsen saw something during the course of a committee hearing that she thought needed to…
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Don’t Politicize Our Courts
Montana’s court system has served us well for over 90 years Our Republican legislators are on a mission to politicize Montana’s court system. Two bills being proposed by our Republican legislators, HJ 5 And SJ 4, would result in our judicial candidates being identified on the ballots as either Republican or Democrat in future elections.…
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Senate launches ethics probe into Ellsworth’s actions
Sen. President Regier is ‘embarrassed by actions of another Republican’ The Montana Senate on Monday voted unanimously to open an ethics investigation into the actions of Sen. Jason Ellsworth — with him in support — when he signed a $170,100 contract with a business associate late last year. On Friday, a report from the Legislative Audit…
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Legislative auditor finds Ellsworth committed waste, abuse
Contract signed by the former Senate president was rushed to get funding that expired on Dec. 31 Former Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth abused his position of power in a contract he signed with a former associate and rushed the process to finalize it, resulting in a waste of state resources, according to findings published…