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Today the Montana Republican Party sent a letter to the Commissioner of Political Practices bringing to light the two-year delay in adjudicating their complaints against illegal campaign financing by Steve Bullock. In August of 2009, MT GOP Chairman Will Deschamps filed complaints with the Commissioner of Political Practices presenting hard evidence that Bullock's campaign accepted more cash and in-kind contributions from partisan committees than were legally allowed. More than two years later, the Commissioner's office has still issued no ruling.

The text of Deschamps' letter follows:

Dave Gallik
Commisisoner of Political Practices
P.O. Box 202401
Helena, MT 59620-2401
VIA FAX/E-MAIL

Dear Commissioner Gallik:

Over two years ago, on August 27, 2009, I filed with your office a pair of complaints outlining how Attorney General Steve Bullock and the Montana Democratic Party violated campaign finance laws by engaging in illegal campaign coordination. The complaints set forth hard evidence that two Bullock campaign staffers were improperly paid and allowed expense reimbursements from the Montana Democratic Party treasury, placing Bullock's campaign in excess of the maximum allowed aggregate contribution from political party committees.

It is my understanding that the investigation for this complaint has been completed, but for some reason a decision on the complaint has not yet been reached. I have to express my frustration with the extreme amount of time that this process has taken.

I would appreciate an update on the following points:

1. What is the current status of the complaint?
2. What steps have been taken to investigate this complaint?
3. Has the investigation in fact been concluded?
4. When will a decision be rendered?

As a lawyer, I'm sure you've heard the saying that "justice delayed is justice denied." This is just such a case. Steve Bullock is your party’s likely nominee for Governor. Continued silence can only cause long-term harm to the public's confidence in the integrity of our campaign finance system. I look forward to your prompt reply,
Sincerely,

Will Deschamps
Chair
Montana Republican Party
cc: the media