HELENA — The state’s campaign regulator says the Montana Trappers Association failed to report thousands of dollars it raised and spent to oppose an anti-trapping ballot initiative in 2014.
Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl said on Friday there is no excuse for the association not to have disclosed the full range of its campaign finances.
He says Montana Trappers Association never reported the roughly $25,000 it raised during a year-long fundraiser to oppose the initiative and failed to record $3,000 spent on political consultation.
Motl says the association also inaccurately reported the amount it transferred to another group opposing the initiative, Montanans for Effective Wildlife Management.
If a county attorney declines to prosecute, Motl says he’ll attempt to negotiate a fine or seek legal action against the trappers on behalf of the state.