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GOP Investigation Into Montana Judiciary Continues, Awaiting Final Court Orders
Montana lawmakers continue their investigation into allegations of bias among members of the judicial branch. After a series of rapid developments, there’s a break in the action and it’s not clear what comes next. MTPR’s Shaylee Ragar shares her reporting with Freddy Monares.
FREDDY Shaylee, this investigation started at the tail end of the legislative session. Can you remind us how the Legislature came to investigate the judiciary?
SHAYLEE Sure. This started when an internal poll of the Montana Judges Association became public earlier this spring. It showed that some members of the judicial branch voiced support and opposition to bills moving through the legislature that could impact the judiciary.
TOM LUTEY
A $2.5 million damage claim has been filed against members of the Montana Public Service Commission, and staff members, by exiting Commissioner Roger Koopman, the target of an email spying scheme and phony police investigation.
The Montana Department of Administration confirmed receiving the complaint Tuesday, but declined to release the public document before reviewing it for privacy issues. Included with the 16-page complaint were 125 pages of exhibits.
Much of the complaint stemmed from issues previously disclosed to Lee Montana Newspapers by court order after the PSC sued the newspaper rather than hand over public documents. Koopmanâs attorney Chris Gallus confirmed the main subjects of the damage claim and Lee Montanaâs earlier investigative work are the same.
HELENA, Mont. - Gov. Steve Bullock and Montana s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) are being taken to court by a group that says the statewide mask mandate conscripted private businesses and people to serve as state mask-police.
According to a complaint filed in Lewis and Clark District Court, the group, Stand Up Montana, is seeking an injunction against the governor s mask mandate and Nov. directive.
The lawsuit was filed by Attorney Quentin Rhoades of Missoula.
Rhoades alleges that any COVID-19 restrictions put in place since April should be void, and that Bullock s emergency powers violated those allowed under law by the Montana Constitution.