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Montana Governor Suspends PSC Commissioner Brad Molnar
Molnar says he was denied due process and seeks to block a new appointee while a $3.6 billion merger remains before the commission.
- On Monday, suspended Montana Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar asked a state district court judge to block Governor Greg Gianforte from appointing his replacement, seeking a preliminary injunction until the court rules on his request to restore his office.
- Governor Greg Gianforte suspended Molnar without pay for one year last Thursday after the Public Service Commission requested his removal following investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliatory behavior toward agency employees.
- Molnar argued he received "government by accusation" rather than proper due process, claiming he was denied robust cross-examination rights that employees facing termination normally possess.
- The court filing argues that blocking an "unlawfully seated appointee" prevents immediate harm, as a replacement would cast votes on the pending $3.6 billion NorthWestern Energy-Black Hills Energy merger of significant consequence to Montana ratepayers.
- Gianforte described the suspension as "unprecedented" but warranted by Molnar's conduct, though his office noted Monday the governor is still evaluating next steps for appointing a Public Service Commission replacement.
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Brad Molnar fights suspension by governor in state district court
Brad Molnar, suspended for one year as a Montana Public Service Commissioner, is asking a state district court judge to temporarily stop Gov. Greg Gianforte from appointing his replacement. Molnar, a Republican, is also asking the judge to stop the PSC from seating any appointee. Gianforte, also a Republican, suspended Molnar without pay for one […]
Gianforte suspends PSC commissioner Brad Molnar
Gov. Greg Gianforte has suspended Brad Molnar from the state’s utility board following investigations into his workplace conduct. In a letter dated July 9, Gianforted addressed the “unprecedented” nature of the suspension, which he described as warranted by Molnar’s “unprecedented…
·Cherokee County, United States
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Total News Sources9
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 44%
C 56%
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