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Utility commissioner Brad Molnar is asking a federal court to end his state-imposed ban on entering his workplace — the Montana Public Service Commission building in Helena.
Molnar requested a preliminary injunction Thursday, arguing that the ban stems primarily from Molnar criticizing fellow commissioners and PSC staff, disclosing a public record, and filing a complaint against a fellow commissioner with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. Those are rights protected by the First Amendment, Molnar argues.
Earlier this month, the PSC voted 3-2 to ban Molnar from the building for violating office conduct policies. The commission majority found merit in a report that Molnar allegedly made sexual comments at work and later sought revenge against his accusers.
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Interpersonal conflict among Montana’s elected utility board and the staff that work for them escalated Sept. 4, 2025, amid a first-of-its-kind attempt to unseat its president, Brad Molnar.
Judge Donald Molloy ordered that Molnar be allowed to participate in specific proceedings in person through May 22, but that deadline has lapsed and Molnar is again banned from the office.
Molnar told the court in a Thursday filing that the ban violates his Fourteenth Amendment right to fulfill his duties as an elected official, which harms his 250,000 constituents.
Molloy has scheduled a June 18 hearing at Molnar’s request.
Meanwhile, most of the commissioners have asked Gov. Greg Gianforte to remove Molnar from office as the commissioner representing District 2. This is the second time the PSC majority has made the request.
