Bullock faces more than $46,000 fine for illegal campaign checks

Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock faces a fine between $15,472.15 and $46,416.45 after the state's Commission on Political Practices ruled he passed 11 illegal campaign checks totaling $15,472.15 in the Nov. 6 race for governor.

Under Montana law the fine for a campaign finance violation is one to three times the amount involved.

Bullock, the state's top law enforcement officer, faces around a dozen other charges of illegal campaign fundraising that are still to be ruled on by the Commission.

Additionally, Bullock must appear before a federal judge Monday to face contempt charges after he falsely claimed a $500,000 contribution from the Montana Republican Party to his opponent, Rick Hill, was illegal and sought enforcement actions.  The contribution was legal at the time it was made.  Retroactively enforcing laws that did not exist at the time violates the federal court order in the case, as well as the U.S. Constitution.

Bullock will also likely face a federal investigation in a corruption case to be filed next week.

The State decision against Bullock

Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, who faces a federal contempt charge Monday for falsely accusing his opponent in the Montana governor's race of illegal contributions, has been found GUILTY on 11 counts of passing illegal checks by the state's Commission on Political Practices.

Here is the Commission's finding.

ATP not surprised Bullock found guilty of breaking campaign finance laws

BOZEMAN -- American Tradition Partnership is not surprised Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock was found guilty Thursday of breaking state campaign finance laws regarding 11 illegal campaign checks totaling $15,472.15.

"Steve Bullock has repeatedly thrown false accusations at American Tradition Partnership and anyone else who questions his agenda," said ATP Executive Director Donald Ferguson.  "Once again we find out the only person breaking the law is Steve Bullock himself."

"This is just the tip of the iceberg.  Montana citizens have filed over a dozen other documented cases of Bullock pocketing illegal PAC and corporate contributions," said Ferguson.  "And there will be new documented revelations of wrongdoing and corruption against Bullock coming out as we verify the information."

The decision was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Political Practices Jay Dufrechou, a former donor to Bullock.

American Tradition Partnership, through its Montana Statesman newspaper, is offering cash rewards for tips leading to the arrest.  Citizens can forward information to editor@montanastatesman.com or 219-7287.

Since its founding in Montana, by Montanans, in 2007, ATP has held public officials accountable for corruption and cozy ties to job-killing environmentalists.  The group has never been found guilty of wrongdoing, which is more than can be said for Steve Bullock.