Breaking: AG Knudsen’s Newest $120K Contract Reveals a Shocking Pattern of Political Payoffs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
CONTACT
press@montanademocrats.org
Breaking: AG Knudsen’s Newest $120K Contract Reveals a Shocking Pattern of Political Payoffs
Helena, MT – Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s Department of Justice has awarded a $120,000 contract to private attorney, former classmate, and personal friend Emily Jones. Knudsen and his Department are currently defending 18 laws that the Montana GOP Legislature passed in the 2021 session that have been challenged for constitutionality, and extended the contract to Jones to help handle the case load.
Defending those bills has already cost Montana taxpayers $119,000. When questioned about the rising cost of defending these lawsuits, Knudsen previously said that he would be handling these cases in-house. By awarding this contract, Knudsen has walked that promise back and is handing an additional $10,000 a month of Montana taxpayers’ money to his friend and political ally.
This is not the first time members of the Montana GOP have used their position of power to award exorbitant contracts to close friends. Jones’ husband, Jake Eaton– chief strategist for Knudsen’s 2020 campaign– was awarded a $265,000 contract for a rush printing job by the then-Secretary of State Corey Stapleton. Stapleton also hired Emily Jones’ firm to represent his office, paying her almost $60,000, despite having received a significantly cheaper offer for representation from the AG’s office.
“This is cronyism at its absolute worst. Montanans deserve to have complete transparency on what their hard-earned taxpayer money is funding,” says Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Sheila Hogan. “It is unacceptable that these GOP leaders are abusing their positions to enrich their friends on our dime.”
###