HELENA — Attorneys for state Rep. Art Wittich plan to appeal a judge’s ruling that allows the political corruption trial against the Bozeman Republican to proceed.
The Independent Record reports that Wittich’s attorney, Quentin Rhoades, said Wednesday he had finalized the appeal of a district court judge’s dismissal of a motion to have the case thrown out. The appeal will be filed with the Montana Supreme Court.
Wittich is accused of failing to report contributions from the conservative nonprofit Western Tradition Partnership during his 2010 campaign.
Rhoades had argued that Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl wasn’t authorized to seek penalties against Wittich because the lawmaker wasn’t included on an initial complaint involving anti-union groups.
The appeal could delay Wittich’s trial for a second time. The trial is set for March 28.