HELENA — The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to take up the case of a Montana group that doesn’t want to disclose its donors and spending as it seeks to overturn the state’s campaign finance laws.
U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen had ruled that Montanans for Community Development must answer questions about the group’s formation, operation and communications with candidates and other groups. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Christensen’s ruling.
The organization filed an emergency application last week asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stay Christensen’s ruling.
Attorney Anita Milanovich has said if the Supreme Court rejected their petition the group would continue to pursue the lawsuit and will produce the required information.
Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl has said the group is trying to strike down laws that prevent outside groups from coordinating with candidates.