Two candidates violated campaign law in 2006

Helena Independent Record – July 31, 2008
Two Democrats who ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature in 2006 — and who are candidates again this year — violated minor laws in their printed campaign material attacking opponents in 2006, a state official has ruled.
But Commissioner of Political Practice Dennis Unsworth rejected more serious claims that John Vincent [...]

PSC won’t change letter critical of Molnar donation

Helena Independent Record – July 30, 2008
The Montana Public Service Commission is sticking with a decision to get a legal opinion about money that member Brad Molnar took from NorthWestern Energy.
Molnar and fellow Republican Doug Mood were stymied Tuesday in an attempt to tone down a legal request being sent to Attorney General Mike McGrath.
Earlier [...]

Complaint on Laslovich moves forward

Helena Independent Record – July 30, 2008
The state’s top political enforcer said Tuesday he’ll look into a complaint alleging state Sen. Jesse Laslovich, D-Anaconda, is not a legal resident of his own district.
But Commissioner of Political Practices Dennis Unsworth said accepting the revised complaint doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll resolve the question of Laslovich’s residence.
And the [...]

Brown demands Schweitzer apologize

Helena Independent Record – July 29, 2008
Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown demanded Monday that Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer apologize for what he called “a clear and intentional lie” over an interstate compact on brucellosis.
Citing an Associated Press story Saturday, Brown said Schweitzer was caught in a red-handed lie.
The AP reported that Schweitzer said he hadn’t [...]

Complaint against Molnar alleges illegal donations – Helena IR

The state’s top campaign-law enforcer is examining a complaint that accuses Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar, R-Laurel, of accepting illegal corporate donations to finance a brochure of energy-conservation tips.
The complaint, filed by the campaign manager of Molnar’s Democratic opponent in the general election, says Molnar later used the brochures as campaign material, thus violating state [...]

Helena IR – McGrath declines GOP request on senator’s residency

Attorney General Mike McGrath told the House speaker Friday that he won’t be looking into the residency status of a state lawmaker who works in his office.McGrath said Scott Sales’ request does not conform with the requirements for a formal attorney general opinion. Sales, a Republican, asked McGrath last week to look into the residency [...]