Montana Supreme Court Dismisses Misconduct Case Against Attorney General
In a significant ruling, Montana’s Supreme Court has dismissed a misconduct case against Attorney General Austin Knudsen. The case originated from a dispute over a 2021 law that increased the governor’s authority over the judiciary by allowing direct appointments to judicial vacancies.
The court-appointed panel initially found that Knudsen had violated rules of conduct by undermining the integrity of the justices while defending the law. The panel sought a 90-day suspension of his law license. However, the Supreme Court determined that Knudsen’s due process rights were breached when an expert witness for his defense was barred from the proceedings.
Knudsen, who had requested the dismissal, referred to the complaint as a distraction in his official duties. “I appreciate the Supreme Court bringing this frivolous complaint to a long-overdue conclusion,” Knudsen stated. “We’ve said it from the very beginning, this was nothing more than a political stunt.”
Chief Justice Cory Swanson expressed that the decision serves as a “public admonition” for Knudsen’s actions. Swanson also noted that the extensive litigation was “far worse” than a private admonition that had been earlier contemplated in Knudsen’s situation.
