Complaint filed in irrigation district election
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On April 23, Alan Mikkelsen, a consultant for the Flathead Joint Board of Control, St. Ignatius, filed a complaint with the Montana Office of Political Practices against the Western Montana Water Users Association LLC.
According to a press release, the complaint alleges illegal campaign contributions have been made in the irrigation district elections and illegal campaign materials have been sent on behalf of candidates.
“The biggest problem is you have a corporation involved in the election,” Mikkelsen said.
Office of Political Practices personnel said after a complaint is received, a letter is sent to the complaintee stating the complaint and asking for a response within 30 days.
Commissioner of Political Practices James W. “Jim” Murry resigned on April 24, and Governor Steve Bullock will appoint a new commissioner. Applicants for commissioner have been interviewed, and the governor may choose one of the applicants or someone else.
Approximately 12 to 15 investigations into complaints have already been completed and the new commissioner will need to write decisions on those before looking into any new complaints, according to staff. An investigator will take the complaints in the order they come and the office had no estimated date by which the investigation would be completed.
