State commissioner pleads no contest after crash

LAUREL — Montana Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar pleaded no contest to failing to give quick notice of a crash in a fast-food restaurant parking lot that totaled the car of a high school student. He was given a 20-day suspended jail sentence and fined $200.

Laurel City Judge Jean Kerr rejected a plea agreement calling for a deferred sentence and wasn't pleased that Molnar didn't appear in court Thursday as she had instructed, The Billings Gazette reported.

"I expected him to be here," Kerr said.

Attorney Jack Sands said he had informed the court that he would be appearing on behalf of...