HELENA – A former state representative from Missoula has paid a $2,500 fine after the commissioner of political practices ruled she broke campaign finance laws 109 times during her unsuccessful campaign for state school superintendent in 2007-08.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports Democrat Holly Raser agreed to the settlement on Dec. 23, two days after Commissioner Dennis Unsworth filed a civil complaint in District Court in Helena.
Unsworth’s investigation of an October 2007 complaint filed by the Montana Republican Party verified that Raser received $16,000 in loans from her stepfather and sister after they had given the maximum $250 campaign donation.
Unsworth also said Raser failed to report six contributions totaling $5,861 and didn’t deposit 82 campaign donations totaling nearly $21,000 within five days, as required.