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Thompson Falls Senator’s Aide Asked to Leave After Becoming Lobbyist

William Richardson had served as aide to Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, since the start of the legislative session

By Dillon Tabish

BOZEMAN — A state senator’s aide has been asked to quit after his registration as a lobbyist was revealed as a potential ethics violation.

William Richardson had served as aide to Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, since the start of the legislative session.

Richardson registered with the Office of Political Practices as an American Lands Council lobbyist. Legislative leaders left the decision on whether Richardson should leave or stay to Richardson and the senator.

According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Richardson registered as a lobbyist less than a week before conservation and hunting groups held a rally in Helena against the transfer of federal lands to the state.

Legislative leaders said the aide violated legislative rules by registering as a lobbyist. Fielder and Richardson did not return calls seeking comment.