BOZEMAN — A state lawmaker who was found to have accepted illegal corporate campaign contributions has appealed his $68,000 fine to the Montana Supreme Court.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Republican Rep. Art Wittich of Bozeman filed the appeal on Nov. 17 and posted a $105,000 bond so that he does not have to pay his fine until the appeal is complete.
In April, 10 of 12 jurors found Wittich violated campaign finance laws during his 2010 state Senate campaign by accepting nearly $20,000 in in-kind contributions from the National Right to Work Committee.
Wittich filed a motion for a new trial in July, arguing that jurors relied on faulty evidence and cost estimates provided by a witness. The motion also argued the state’s definition of a campaign contribution is unconstitutional. The motion was rejected in September.