Commissioner: Senate leader broke campaign laws

HELENA — The Montana commissioner of political practices said Tuesday that Senate Majority Leader Art Wittich broke state campaign laws by coordinating with and failing to report contributions from a conservative group during his 2010 primary election campaign.

Commissioner Jonathan Motl said he intends to have a judge weigh his findings and decide whether Wittich's actions merit removal from the 2014 election ballot.

"That would be the big penalty," Motl said. "Is this significant enough to establish a public trust violation? If it is, the court decides whether or not to take the next step."...