A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge found Gov. Greg Gianforte has the authority and responsibility to investigate a complaint filed against Montana Public Service Commission President Brad Molnar — and Molnar has a “duty to cooperate in the investigation.”

In the order, Judge Mike Menahan denied a motion to stop the governor from acting on a complaint filed against Molnar that alleged he was interfering with an internal investigation and should be suspended from elected office.

In Montana, the governor has the authority to suspend a commissioner if the commissioner fails to perform their duties, as described in state law .

Last month, the judge temporarily blocked Gianforte from suspending Molnar, finding the complaint against him was invalid, and that voters in his distr

See Full Page