Post by Logan on Sept 19, 2016 20:29:25 GMT -6
BOZEMAN — A Bozeman lawmaker who was found to have taken illegal corporate contributions from an anti-union organization in 2010 says he will appeal his case to the Montana Supreme Court.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Rep. Art Wittich's decision to appeal follows a district judge's ruling Monday denying the lawmaker's request for a new trial.
Wittich, a Republican, requested the new trial in July following a jury's finding that he received $19,599 in illegal and unreported in-kind contributions from the National Right to Work Committee and its affiliates. He was ordered to pay more than $80,000 in fines and costs.
Wittich's attorneys say jurors relied on faulty evidence and cost estimates provided by a witness. They also said the state's definition of a campaign contribution is unconstitutional and that a juror was inappropriately dismissed.
Read more: billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/lawmaker-aims-to-take-dark-money-case-to-state-supreme/article_42cb2ff0-232e-531b-895c-2bfce2ec8d95.html
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Rep. Art Wittich's decision to appeal follows a district judge's ruling Monday denying the lawmaker's request for a new trial.
Wittich, a Republican, requested the new trial in July following a jury's finding that he received $19,599 in illegal and unreported in-kind contributions from the National Right to Work Committee and its affiliates. He was ordered to pay more than $80,000 in fines and costs.
Wittich's attorneys say jurors relied on faulty evidence and cost estimates provided by a witness. They also said the state's definition of a campaign contribution is unconstitutional and that a juror was inappropriately dismissed.
Read more: billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/lawmaker-aims-to-take-dark-money-case-to-state-supreme/article_42cb2ff0-232e-531b-895c-2bfce2ec8d95.html