The ethics hearing involving former state Senate president Jason Ellsworth ended Saturday with debate over whether he bypassed disclosure laws. Special Counsel Adam Duerk accused Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, of attempting twice in 2024 to award government contracts to Bryce Eggleston, an unqualified former associate. The controversy centered on a $170,100 bill analysis contract legislative staff claimed could be performed more cheaply in-house.
“You cannot contract your way around ethics,” Duerk emphasized to the Senate Ethics Committee. Public scrutiny heightened when Eggleston withdrew after an investigation and media spotlight. Despite a subpoena, Eggleston skipped the committee appearance.
The bipartisan committee will prepare findings for the Senate, possibly leading to censure or expulsion for Ellsworth if found guilty of violating disclosure laws. His lawyer, Joan Mell, claimed the probe was biased. Ellsworth attended virtually and has been remote during legislative sessions this month.
“I can’t let him do it under these circumstances,” Mell explained, defending Ellsworth’s absence from testifying.
An audit by Legislative Auditor Angus Maciver alleged Ellsworth split the $170,100 into two contracts to dodge the bidding process required for expenditures over $100,000. Mell countered that Eggleston authored the contracts, not Ellsworth, asserting this absolves the senator from misdemeanor abuse of power allegations under state Department of Justice review.
Political tensions and a Senate power struggle with current Senate President Matt Regier overshadowed proceedings. Maciver faced pressure, especially as Ellsworth had led a vote to limit Maciver’s contract renewal due to issues with audited state departments.
Duerk highlighted Ellsworth’s shady contract with the unqualified Eggleston, who had just registered a relevant business. Ellsworth claimed committee approval for the hire to DOA Director Misty Ann Giles. Ellsworth’s history with Eggleston dates back 20 years, including a 2009 federal case settlement.
BOWEN GREENWOOD
Montana Supreme Court Clerk Bowen Greenwood, whom Ellsworth challenged in 2024, was urged by Ellsworth to hire Eggleston. Greenwood testified Ellsworth wanted the clerk’s office as a conservative platform, which Greenwood rejected.
“No one particularly cares about my opinion,” Greenwood stated, dismissing Ellsworth’s suggestion as unfeasible.
Greenwood found Eggleston’s resume lacking, a recurring issue in Duerk’s criticism of Ellsworth’s hiring practices.
ANGUS MACIVER
Maciver’s initial investigation, prompted by Regier, found Ellsworth failed to disclose his relationship with Eggleston and improperly split contracts to bypass bidding. Maciver defended his inquiry’s independence, despite Ellsworth’s contrary claims and a $5 million defamation suit.
MISTY ANN GILES
Giles testified about the Department of Administration’s role in revising the signed contracts into a single, “sole source” deal. She emphasized that disclosure of conflicts is critical, though not clearly outlined in law, while noting the limited use of exceptions in competitive bidding.
—
Read More Montana News
