Montana Attorney General Calls State Ethics Complaint a ‘Kangaroo Court’

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was in the KGVO studio on Monday taking calls from listeners. He responded to two queries about the 41-count ethics complaint that was filed against him by the Commission on Practice.

Responding to the first call, Knudsen said the original complaint was filed back in 2021.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen was in the Studio for Talk Back on Monday

“That goes back clear to 2021,” began Knudsen. “I said some particularly critical things about our (Montana) State Supreme Court, which I am wont to do. I mean, a lot of times I do think our state Supreme Court acts very politically, and I think they're very result-oriented, and I said so.”

Knudsen referred to the case by using the humorous phrases ‘a no-no’ and ‘being naughty’ which he said led to a hearing.

“A lawyer in California didn't like that, and they thought that was a no-no and that I was naughty, and that I needed a 41-count ethics complaint brought against me for saying critical things of our state Supreme Court. “According to this lawyer in California, I was eroding the public's trust in the Montana courts. Our office of disciplinary counsel held a hearing.”

Knudsen Called the Hearing 'A Kangaroo Court'

Knudsen was highly critical of the hearing, calling it a ‘kangaroo court’.

“It was kind of a kangaroo court,” he said. “I'll just say it out loud. They didn't let me present evidence. They didn't let me refute several of their witnesses. They ruled on motions without giving me time to respond in writing, which (should) happen in every court case, in that you get to respond in writing. They were rushing this thing through to get it done before the election, candidly, and it didn't work. I got elected by 20 points.”

Knudsen said the court heard his case on Friday (March 28) and provided an update.

Knudsen said His Case was Heard in Court on Friday

“The court on Friday just heard my case,” he said. “This was (with) real judges hearing this, and they were very concerned. They had some critical things to say about me as well, but I think they definitely had some concerns with due process and how the Office of Disciplinary Counsel handled my case. Not surprisingly, they didn't rule on Friday. I mean, they are going to issue a written opinion, but it's going to take them probably at least a month or two to write what I suspect is going to be a pretty lengthy opinion.”

Knudsen said that even if he loses his court case, he will still retain the office of Montana Attorney General.

You can listen to Knudsen's full hour appearance below: