Episode Details

Former Montana State Senate President Jason Ellsworth was found guilty of misdemeanor criminal official misconduct for awarding $170,000 in no-bid contracts to a company tied to a longtime business associate — a move prosecutors say he orchestrated by bypassing standard approval processes. The jury deliberated nearly four hours before convicting him, and he now faces up to six months in jail. Ellsworth’s defense argued the contracts were legitimate after state modifications and that the work was valid, but prosecutors emphasized his 20-year relationship with the company’s registered agent — a friend who presented the deals on Christmas Eve. The case also highlights Ellsworth’s prior push to limit judicial powers, including a rejected proposal to hire a contractor to audit the judiciary. Agile Analytics, registered in Montana just weeks before the contracts, raised red flags. Sentencing is set for September 10th, and while Ellsworth’s team tried to dismiss the case on jurisdiction and intent grounds, Judge Christopher Abbott rejected all motions, calling them strategic moves for appeal.

Listen in comfort:
Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn.

Advertise on DNN:
advertise@thednn.ai

This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai.

View sources & latest updates:
https://sources.thednn.ai/803a0db43e22410e