HELENA — A former Garfield County attorney, who battled the anti-government Freemen in the 1990s, has been named the new judge for Montana’s 16th Judicial District, based in Forsyth.
Gov. Steve Bullock announced Wednesday that Valley County Attorney Nick Murnion of Glasgow will take over for District Judge George W. Huss, who resigned on Jan. 1.
Murnion received the Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 1998 for his stand against the Freemen, who harassed and threatened public officials, filed frivolous claims in court and refused to abide by local laws or pay taxes.
In September 2014, Huss reached a $744,000 settlement in a sexual harassment complaint filed by his former court reporter if she agreed to seek the money from the state. Another judge has ruled the state is not obligated to pay the settlement.