Montana regulator accused of telling a staffer he could photograph her sleeping kids
Outside investigators hired by the Montana Public Service Commission found that Commissioner Brad Molnar, elected in 2024, violated the PSC code of conduct with sexual comments that continued after he was warned, belittled a fellow commissioner and staff, and retaliated against employees who took part in the probe. A court order cited a complaint that he called a staff member's personal phone, said he knew where she lived and could photograph her sleeping children. The PSC removed him as president in October 2025 and voted 3-2 to ask Gov. Greg Gianforte to suspend him; in July 2026 Gianforte suspended him for one year without pay, through July 8, 2027. Lewis and Clark County District Judge Mike Menahan refused to block the suspension, finding Molnar likely engaged in unlawful retaliation. Molnar says his speech is protected and is appealing.
The investigators determined Molnar had violated the PSC’s code of conduct by making comments of a sexual nature, and that it appeared his behavior had continued for some time after he was warned about it.
The order said one complaint alleged that he called a staff member’s personal phone, told the employee he knew where she lived, and said he could take photographs of her sleeping children at night.
Molnar says he is punished for protected speech and was denied due process; he admitted only to being unpolished.
No outcome recorded yet.