HELENA – U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg’s lawyer says the Republican congressman is dropping his lawsuit against the city of Billings for the way firefighters handled a 2008 wildfire on his land.
The decision late Thursday followed notification from the city that argued the firefighters did their job right during the summer fire. The city rejected an offer from Rehberg and his wife to settle if Billings agreed to re-evaluate firefighting standards.
Rehberg lawyer Cliff Edwards says his clients have directed him to dismiss the case, despite believing it still has merit. He sent a letter to the city saying the matter has become too “mired in politics.”
The lawsuit is unfolding amid the biggest campaign of Rehberg’s career as he challenges incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in 2012.