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.