Disclose Act
SCOTUS won’t hear challenge to Montana Disclose Act
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High court’s decision leaves intact an appeals court ruling that upheld requirements for reporting election-related spending.
Campaign Spending
Watch Now: “Dark Money” official trailer
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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.
campaign finance
Complaint against ‘Dark Money’ prosecutor dismissed
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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.
2018 Legislature
Complaint: dark money Right to Work group engaged in illegal political activities
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Republican Kalispell Rep. Frank Garner files complaint against group, which was at the center of allegations of illegal third-party influence in state primaries in 2008, 2010 and 2012
News
Wagman reaches settlement in wake of Wittich decision
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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 Montana laws in his effort to defeat Republican Ron Arthun in the 2010 primary election for the Senate District 31 seat.
Campaign Spending
High Court upholds verdict in Wittich corruption case
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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 Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl properly investigated the case against Wittich, and they affirmed District Judge Ray Dayton’s decision to fine Wittich $68,232.58.
Campaign Spending
Testimony Winds Down in Corruption Trial
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By John S. Adams, Editor-in-Chief
HELENA — State Rep. Art Wittich, the man accused of accepting illegal in-kind contributions and services from conservative nonprofit groups during his 2010 Senate race, took the witness stand in his own defense Thursday in Lewis and Clark County District Court. Wittich is on trial in a civil lawsuit brought by Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl, who has accused the Bozeman Republican of illegally coordinating with groups funded by the anti-union National Right to Work Committee.
Campaign Spending
Motl Takes the Stand in Wittich Corruption Trial
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Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl testifies in his lawsuit against Republican Rep. Art Wittich. Photo by Kimberly Reed.
