ILLEGAL CONTRIBUTION CASE: Hill Kicked out of Federal Court, Judge Says Congressman’s Arguments “Without Merit”
Bullock asks Montana judge for Temporary Restraining Order, Hearing
HELENA – Congressman Rick Hill’s attempt to avoid a Montana court’s inspection of his illegal $500,000 contribution ended today when the United States District Court immediately remanded the case back to state court. Gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock has asked the state court for a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent Hill from spending more of the illegal contributions. Bullock also asked the District Court to force Hill to return the illegal funds.
On Friday, Hill tried to move the case to Federal Court, after Bullock sued him and signaled he would be seeking the restraining order. On Monday, Hill spent another $99,945.00 of the illegal contribution.
Bullock’s motion for the Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and other related court filings are on Bullock’s website at www.stevebullock.com/HillsIllegalContribution.
“While Congressman Hill is attempting to put our elections up for sale, Steve’s fighting to protect their integrity,” said Kevin O’Brien, a spokesman for Bullock. “We’re happy that this case is back in state court and we’re confident that Congressman Hill will have to do what he should have done all along – return this illegal contribution.”
The case, Bullock v. Hill, stems from the former Congressman’s acceptance of a half-a-million contribution from the Montana Republican Party. 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 the limits.
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.
Hill’s failure to return the excess contributions and his continued spending is a violation of Montana Code Annotated §13-37-216.
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Contact: Kate Downen (406) 224-5056 or Kevin O’Brien (406) 465-6969