Campaign 2012

Campaign spending lawsuit in Helena court on Monday

Posted: Oct 26, 2012 10:17 PM by MTN News

HELENA, MT - Helena District Court will be the site of another showdown between Hill and Bullock - on Monday - when the two campaigns lock horns before District Judge Kathy Seeley.

At issue, the legality of a half million dollar donation to Rick Hill's campaign from the Montana Republican Party.
Steve Bullock's campaign sued last week - to prevent Hill from spending the $500-thousand dollar donation.
That lawsuit resulted in a temporary restraining order against the Hill campaign - and forced Hill to pull his TV advertising bought with the disputed cash.
Conservative groups tried to short-circuit the district court order -asking Helena Federal Judge Charles Lovell to intervene, but today Lovell denied that request.
So as things stand now, the next move will come at a show cause hearing before Judge Seeley - Monday morning In Helena.
If you recall, it was Judge Lovell who ruled Montana's campaign contribution law - unconstitutional in early October.
Six days later his ruling was put on hold by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
It was during that 6-day time frame - that Hill received the 500-thousand dollar donation.

Topics: Rick Hill, Steve Bullock, Helena, Montana