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Commissioner Finds Sitting State Senator Broke Campaign Laws

GOP Sen. Pat Connell illegally banked primary and general election funds in one account

By Molly Priddy

HELENA — Montana’s elections watchdog says a state senator from Hamilton broke multiple campaign laws during his 2014 campaign.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl said in a decision released Wednesday that Republican Sen. Pat Connell illegally banked primary and general election funds in one account.

Motl says Connell also accepted about $1,200 in donations but failed to deposit it in his campaign account and didn’t use a campaign check to spend it.

Motl believes Connell’s case should be settled by a fine.

Connell says he was not aware of the requirement to keep separate campaign accounts and doubted whether many other lawmakers know of it.

Motl released a separate decision on Tuesday finding Connell’s opponent and former state Sen. Scott Boulanger broke seven state campaign laws during the 2014 primary race.