Bullock Files Lawsuit to Force Hill to Return Illegal Contributions
Montana Law Clear: Any candidate who has taken or is in possession of more than contribution limit violates law
HELENA – Attorneys representing Montana gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock filed a lawsuit (PDF) in Montana’s First Judicial District Court to stop Rick Hill from spending or continuing to spend illegal contributions he has taken and to force the Congressman to return the illegal donations.
Hill announced to reporters yesterday that he had taken an illegal $500,000 contribution from the Montana Republican Party. The origins of that contribution are still unknown and unreported by Hill. Besides the illegal contribution, in his first two years running for Governor, Hill raised $1.1 million.
At a press conference at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, John Walsh, Montana’s Former Adjutant General and Bullock’s running mate as Lieutenant Governor, recalled how American soldiers protected the integrity of Iraqi elections.
“As many of you know, I led the 1-163rd Infantry Battalion in Iraq in 2004 and 2005,” Walsh said. “Twice while we were over there, men and women from Montana – along with soldiers from all across America – were called upon to safeguard and secure Iraqi elections. That’s why it’s disappointing that in the greatest democracy on Earth – and in a state that for 100 years has had some of the cleanest and fair elections – that we stand here today.
Under Montana Code Annotated 13-37-216, a candidate for Governor may take no more than $630 in aggregate from an individual and $22,600 in aggregate from a political party, per contested election. On October 3rd, a federal district court ruled that Montana’s contribution limits were unconstitutional and suspended the enforcement of those limits by the Commissioner of Political Practices – but six days later the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Montana’s law including the aggregate contribution limits. The appeals court also reinstated the authority of the Commissioner to enforce these limits.
“The law in Montana today – which is not in dispute – is that Montana’s contribution limits are in full force and effect. Any candidate who has taken or is in possession of more than the aggregate limits is in violation of that law,” Walsh said.
After the federal district court’s ruling, the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices “strongly recommended” that candidates and political parties abide by the contribution limits prescribed in statute while the litigation was pending. They warned candidates that they would “enforce” the law if a stay was ordered.
Walsh concluded, “This is just not right and this is a fundamental issue character – Congressman Hill will do and say anything to win this election.”
The complaint is available online.
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Contact: Kevin O’Brien, (406) 465-6969