NEWS

Billings attorneys enlisted in lawsuit against legislator

The Associated Press

HELENA – Montana’s commissioner of political practices has enlisted two Billings attorneys to head a campaign violations case against a Bozeman Republican.

Commissioner Jonathan Motl says Gene Jarussi will act as special attorney general in the civil claim that Rep. Art Wittich violated state election law during his 2010 primary. He will be joined at trial by John Heenan.

Wittich has denied the allegations that he illegally coordinated with and received undisclosed contributions from a conservative group.

Motl says the two are well-established trial attorneys who will provide their services free of charge because they believe it to be of public service. According to their contract, the commissioner’s office is paying the Bishop & Heenan Law Firm $10,000 for travel expenses and court costs.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle first reported the hiring.