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public law

Montana DOJ opens criminal investigation into Senator Ellsworth's $170K contract deal

The Montana Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, after he attempted to use state money to contract a longtime friend, the department announced Wednesday. This investigation was prompted by a referral from the Legislative Audit Division to Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s

Failed Ten Commandments bill’s constitutionality in question

Failed Ten Commandments bill’s constitutionality in question

A bill introduced in the Montana state legislature that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom — designated Senate Bill 114 (SB114) — failed to pass in the State Senate last Wednesday, Feb. 5. SB114’s failure comes at the heels of many similar bills mandating

Montana Senate spirals as Ellsworth ethics probe paused, investigation sent to DOJ

Senate Democrats and a faction of GOP lawmakers on Thursday paused an ethics investigation into Sen. Jason Ellsworth’s controversial contract arrangement and referred the probe to the Montana Department of Justice, bringing the tensions that have embroiled the state Legislature for weeks to a 90-minute meltdown. The move

Ethics panel on Ellsworth's contract investigating potential criminal violation

A legislative ethics committee is investigating the idea that a Hamilton senator's state-funded business contract may have violated criminal statute, according to a letter adopted at the second of two committee meetings Monday. The Montana Senate voted last week to convene an ethics committee after news of

Emails: Legislative staff blocked senator's initial request for controversial contract

A week before state Sen. Jason Ellsworth inked a contract with a longtime business associate now under question by Republican leadership, he sought to get the state to sign off on two contracts that would keep the business deal out of view. Emails between Ellsworth, businessman Bryce Eggleston, the Legislative

Hear from candidates for the MT Supreme Court

Hear from candidates for the MT Supreme Court

There are four candidates running for the MT Senate, two fighting for the Chief Justice position and two for Seat #3. Read on to hear their responses to the Exponent’s 2024 candidate questionnaire. Candidates were given three weeks to respond to the questionnaire and were given word counts for

Montana Supreme Court forum sparks key discussions

Montana Supreme Court forum sparks key discussions

The Montana Supreme Court is set for a shakeup as two sitting justices prepare to step down in the fall of 2024. On Sept. 26, MSU hosted the four candidates for the two open positions at the Montana Supreme Court Candidate Forum, an event held in Gaines Hall by the