Former GOP Strategist Found Guilty of Stalking in Flathead County
KALISPELL — A Flathead County jury on Friday convicted Daniel Duffey, a former Republican political strategist, on two counts of stalking after a four-day trial. The jury reached its unanimous decision in under an hour, prompted by Duffey’s relentless harassment of a victim, including unsolicited messages and the distribution of inflammatory flyers.
During the trial, prosecutors, led by Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner, presented evidence that Duffey sent repeated, unwanted communications to the victim and their family, culminating in a personal visit during the victim’s wedding celebrations in February. The court heard how Duffey alleged that the victim had sexually assaulted him following their initial meeting after a University of Montana football game in November 2023, a claim vehemently denied by the victim.
The situation escalated when Duffey distributed flyers throughout Whitefish before the wedding, alleging sexual misconduct by the victim. He also created a fake online profile inviting users of an LGBTQ dating app to the wedding. Witnesses confirmed that Duffey’s behavior caused significant fear among the victim and their family.
In light of the jury’s verdict, presiding Judge Dan Wilson ordered Duffey to remain detained until sentencing on July 10, citing the threat he poses to public safety. "The conduct is outside the realm of sociable behavior," Wilson noted, expressing concern over Duffey’s potential for future harassment.
Duffey, who remained stoic throughout the proceedings, has a history of involvement in Montana’s Republican politics, previously working on campaigns for notable candidates including Gov. Greg Gianforte. His conviction highlights a troubling intersection of personal vendetta and public persona, raising questions about accountability and the impact of political affiliations on individual conduct.
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