HELENA — Allegations that a high-profile state-appointed attorney broke some of the very same campaign practices laws he was hired to prosecute have been dropped. Deputy Commissioner of Political Practices Kirsten Madsen, in a 19-page order issued Friday, dismissed a complaint filed late last year against Billings attorney Gene Jarussi by Republican political consultant Jake Eaton. […]
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Posted inCampaign Spending, Elections, News, Politics
GOP consultant accuses ‘dark money’ prosecutor of campaign violations
Gene Jarussi, the state special attorney general in charge of litigating a series of lawsuits against political candidates for illegal campaign activities, is now himself facing allegations of political misconduct. In a Nov. 27 complaint filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, Jake Eaton, a Republican political operative from Billings, claims Jarussi and his wife illegally coordinated with Rep. […]
Posted inNews
Wagman reaches settlement in wake of Wittich decision
Just days after the Montana Supreme Court upheld a verdict in the high-profile political corruption lawsuit against former Bozeman lawmaker Art Wittich, a fellow former Republican lawmaker from Livingston has admitted he broke Montana campaign laws in his 2010 primary race. Pat Wagman, who served House representative from Livingston from 2003-2007, conceded that he violated […]
Posted inDark Money
Record penalties levied in dark money lawsuit
A judge has ordered a pair of corporations to pay more than $1.76 million in fines for their roles in an illegal campaign scheme involving 15 Republican candidates running for state legislative offices in 2010.
Posted inCampaign Spending, Corruption, Crime and Justice, Elections, News, Politics, State Government
High Court upholds verdict in Wittich corruption case
The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed with a lower court’s finding that former Republican state lawmaker Art Wittich violated Montana’s campaign finance laws when he illegally coordinated with third-party political groups during his 2010 primary election campaign. In a unanimous 5-0 opinion written by Justice Beth Baker, the state Supreme Court concluded that former […]
Posted inCampaign Spending, Corruption, Elections, News, Politics, State Government
Watch Now: “Dark Money” official trailer
DARK MONEY, an acclaimed documentary film and political thriller, examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.
Posted inCampaign Spending, Corruption, Elections, News, Politics
Back and forth motions hurl allegations in lead-up to Wittich corruption trial
By John S. Adams, Editor-in-Chief With a trial date fast approaching, the two sides in a high-profile political corruption lawsuit are hurling sharply worded accusations of wrongdoing in recently filed court documents. Both sides are calling on the judge to sanction their opponent in conflicting legal filings that set a bitter tone for the courtroom […]
Posted inCampaign Spending, Corruption, Elections, News, Politics, State Government
Wittich Corruption Trial Underway
By John S. Adams, Editor-in-Chief HELENA — A highly anticipated civil trial to determine whether Bozeman Republican Rep. Art Wittich violated campaign practice laws during his 2010 primary campaign got underway in Helena on Monday. Wittich, the former Republican Senate majority leader and conservative stalwart in the state House, has been accused by Jonathan Motl, […]
