A private contractor in Montana is speaking out against allegations of waste and abuse directed at former Senate President Jason Ellsworth. In a deposition, Bryce Eggleston stated that it was his decision, not Ellsworth’s, to divide a work agreement into two contracts, contradicting findings from the Legislative Auditor. Eggleston explained the decision to divide the work was to subcontract it if necessary, as the contract involved analyzing multiple bills related to court reform in Montana. He also disputed claims made by the Audit Division and clarified that he had not been contacted by investigators for the report.
The Senate Ethics Committee recently met to discuss how to proceed with an investigation into the contract awarded in the final days of Ellsworth’s term. Current Senate President Matt Regier hired attorney Matt Monforton to represent the Senate in the proceedings, sparking a debate within the committee over Monforton’s impartiality due to his previous comments about Ellsworth on social media.
The ethics investigation is part of ongoing tensions between Senate Republican leadership and Ellsworth, who previously upset the leadership by changing Senate rules to give better assignments to certain members. The $170,100 contract with Eggleston further fueled the conflict, leading to the Auditor’s report accusing Ellsworth of abusing his position. The situation has escalated with the involvement of attorneys and disagreements within the Ethics Committee on how to proceed with the investigation. Ellsworth has denied any wrongdoing and continues to defend his actions as Senate President.
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