Post by Logan on Apr 10, 2016 18:15:37 GMT -6
Montana campaign finance ruling could have 'ramifications nationwide'
HELENA — Jurors recently found a Bozeman lawmaker illegally coordinated with and received services from anti-union groups in 2010, but they won’t have the last word in the case.
That distinction goes to District Judge Ray Dayton, who on Monday is expected to pick a start date for the penalty phase of state Rep. Art Wittich’s high-profile campaign finance case.
Ten of 12 Helena jurors who decided the trial phase of that case found Wittich underpaid for an anti-union group’s campaign services, something Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl alleged amounted to the illegal receipt of an in-kind corporate campaign contribution.
They also sided with Motl on accusations Wittich failed to properly maintain records and illegally coordinated his campaign with a network of “dark money” groups affiliated with National Right to Work, a Virginia-based nonprofit that’s made headlines for its often controversial backing of conservative political candidates.
Read more: billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/montana-campaign-finance-ruling-could-have-ramifications-nationwide/article_d0623cb2-4705-5065-994c-20f86f04b323.html
HELENA — Jurors recently found a Bozeman lawmaker illegally coordinated with and received services from anti-union groups in 2010, but they won’t have the last word in the case.
That distinction goes to District Judge Ray Dayton, who on Monday is expected to pick a start date for the penalty phase of state Rep. Art Wittich’s high-profile campaign finance case.
Ten of 12 Helena jurors who decided the trial phase of that case found Wittich underpaid for an anti-union group’s campaign services, something Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl alleged amounted to the illegal receipt of an in-kind corporate campaign contribution.
They also sided with Motl on accusations Wittich failed to properly maintain records and illegally coordinated his campaign with a network of “dark money” groups affiliated with National Right to Work, a Virginia-based nonprofit that’s made headlines for its often controversial backing of conservative political candidates.
Read more: billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/montana-campaign-finance-ruling-could-have-ramifications-nationwide/article_d0623cb2-4705-5065-994c-20f86f04b323.html