Lawmaker sues Montana commissioner of political practices
HELENA — A Montana lawmaker is suing Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl after Motl said the legislator faces penalties for revealing a confidential ethics complaint.
Republican Rep. Brad Tschida of Missoula says in the federal lawsuit filed Friday that Motl's threat of penalties has silenced him and prevents him from performing his legislative duties.
Tschida wrote a letter to a number of legislators about the Sept. 21 complaint accusing Bullock, a Democrat, and Commerce Director Meg O'Leary of malfeasance. Tschida also accuses Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl of covering up for Bullock and O'Leary.
Tschida's complaint is over allegations that Bullock misused the state plane for short trips and to attend a 2014 Paul McCartney concert in Missoula. O'Leary, who was a passenger on that flight, violated ethics laws when she accepted the flight as a gift, Tschida alleges.
Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/lawmaker-sues-montana-commissioner-of-political-practices/article_a97209bf-589f-590c-a07e-abb33b0a8782.html
Montana News is being cross-posted to http://democratsforever.freeforums.net/board/47/montana .
