Politics

Bullock, Hill settle campaign donation suit

Posted: Dec 22, 2012 1:34 PM by Marnee Banks - MTN News

HELENA - Montana Governor-Elect Steve Bullock(D) and Republican candidate Rick Hill have reached an agreement to dismiss the case challenging the legality of a $500,000 campaign donation.

Bullock took Hill to court after Hill accepted a $500,000 campaign contribution from the Republican Governor's Association.

Bullock claimed the donation was illegal and exceeded the state's donation limits, with Hill asserting that accepting the money was not a violation of law because he took it within a short window when the limits were lifted.

Hill's attorney Matthew Monforton says they don't have the entire $500,000 because they are waiting to receive a lot of it back from TV stations. Monforton explains Hill had purchased TV ads but when Judge Kathy Seeley issued a temporary restraining order it stopped the stations from running them.

There are other pending cases relating to the state's contribution limits and Monforton says depending on those outcomes the fate of the money is unknown. He says it is likely they will have to return it to the donor.