Trial begins today in Helena District Court for Former State Senate President Jason Ellsworth, charged with Official Misconduct.
Ellsworth, a Republican from Hamilton, is said to have signed 2-contracts while chairing the Interim Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform. Each covered post-session analysis on about half of the judiciary bills— one for about $88,000 and the other for about $82,000. Auditors say the contracts were “artificially divided” to avoid oversight by the Department of Administration.
Five times, Ellsworth has claimed Legislative Immunity and each time, Judge Christopher Abbot said “nothing doing”. He’s been “forever banned” from the Senate floor.
Scheduled to last 8-days, the witness list includes the Governor’s Budget Director Ryan Osmundson, Legislative auditor Angus Maciver, the Administrative Department Dir. Misty Ann Giles and several legislators and state officials.. The charges have been brought by Senate President Matt Regier, a Republican from Kalispell and Rhonda Knudsen, Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s mother.
If found guilty, Ellsworth could get anywhere from a slap on the hand to 6-months in jail and a maximum $500 fine.
No matter how the trial comes out, Ellsworth’s political career is likely over. He ran for the House–where’s he’s not “forever banned”, but lost to incumbent Rep. Jerry Schillinger of Circle. Ellsworth, from Hamilton, ran in District 34–across the state losing by 72-points.
