Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Gianforte Under Investigation For Campaign Finance Violations

MDP spokesperson Nathan Stein said, “Campaign finance law clearly states that donors are only able to contribute $710 for the primary election, and $710 for the general election… By accepting primary funds during the general election, Gianforte is effectively able to raise twice as much from individual donors during the general election — in direct violation of campaign finance limits — due solely to the fact that he’s in a position to ‘loan’ himself millions of dollars at a time.”

Gianforte is also under investigation for “coordinat[ing] illegally with Montana First Action, a political action committee, to bypass campaign donation limits.” His campaign has already been dinged by the COPP for “not includ[ing] the required ‘paid for by’ attribution on campaign materials.”

“Gianforte’s campaign financing scheme is just a thinly veiled attempt to skirt Montana’s campaign finance law, and cover for Gianforte’s continued efforts to buy this election,” said MDP Deputy Communications Director Matt Fidel. “Unfortunately for Gianforte, the Governor’s mansion is not up for sale, which is why Montanans are going to send him packing back to New Jersey in 19 days.”