Bullock Charged with Campaign Finance Violations
Posted on October 8, 2012 by Montana Statesman in Steve Bullock
Bullock Under Investigation
HELENA — A criminal investigation of Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock reveals his campaign for governor has been pocketing illegal cash from drug companies, and using that money to run TV ads claiming he opposes corporate political contributions.
“Prosecutors will hold Steve Bullock accountable for any illegal fundraising, but voters will hold him accountable for hypocrisy,” said Donald Ferguson, ATP Executive Director.
“As Attorney General Steve Bullock is supposed to enforce contribution limit laws. Instead, he flagrantly breaks them. He also claims to oppose corporate contributions, but gladly pockets illegal contributions from drug corporations.”
According to documents filed with the Commissioner of Political Practices, Bullock received contributions from the Pfizer drug company PAC on Apr. 27, 2009, June 10, 2011 and June 4, 2012 that were far above the legal limit, by nearly 50 percent.
Illegal Drug Money goes to Steve Bullock
Bullock also pocketed corporate PAC cash from GlaxoSmithKline on Dec. 15, 2009, Aug. 1, 2011 and June 4, 2012 at twice the legal limit, according to Commission documents.
Another Drug Company Filling Bullock’s Campaign Coffer
Commission documents also reveal Bullock pocketed primary election contributions from the Endo drug company PAC on May 16, 2012 at twice the legal limit.
All three are flagrant violations of Montana campaign finance law.
Additionally, Bullock pocketed the illegal drug company cash and then announced a settlement with them for only $986,000 over allegations they inflated drug prices charges to Medicare and Medicaid, a fraction of what they could have paid the state – raising suspicions Bullock gave drug companies a sweetheart deal in exchange for illegal contributions.
“It certainly bears further investigation. People are wondering why Bullock let drug companies off so easy, and right before an election. Pocketing illegal campaign cash at the same time is tough to swallow as a coincidence,” said Ferguson.
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