Montana

Former MT political practices chief hit with lawsuit

Posted: Sep 26, 2012 10:54 AM by Marnee Banks - MTN News

HELENA - The Montana Policy Institute has filed a lawsuit against former MT Commissioner of Political Practices Dave Gallik for allegedly using state money to operate his private law firm.

Gallik says the claims are not only false, but also reckless.

MPI filed the lawsuit seven months ago but the documents have been sealed until this week.

This comes months after news broke that staff at the Commissioner's office had accused accusing Gallik of running his private law firm with state funds.

Governor Brian Schweitzer's administration is also listed in the litigation.

Schweitzer spokesman Jayson O'Neil says that it's a frivolous suit with no merit.

MPI CEO Carl Graham says the case is about wasting public funds.

MPI is seeking monetary damages to recover funds that were paid to Gallik.

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, a $10,000 fine per violation, plus three times the amount of damages incurred by the state.