The Billings Gazette reported this week that John Sinrud’s so-called “Western Tradition Partnership” broke state law and should have to pay a civil fine because it failed to report its donors and register as a political action committee.

As previously reported by The Gazette State Bureau, in two years of investigation, Unsworth’s office uncovered evidence that Western Tradition Partnership had been involved in 19 Montana legislative races in 2008 and that it had a budget of $660,000.

As the Havre Daily News reported, Unsworth ruled that:

The evidence shows that WTP’s ultimate purpose in Montana in 2008 was not to discuss issues, but to directly influence candidate elections through surreptitious means.

According to Unsworth, the group planned to spend $537,000 on targeted Montana elections this year. Here’s what they’re spending on.  Would you call this advocating for issues or electoral work?

This flyer from Sinrud’s so-called “Western Tradition Partnership” suggests Sheila Hogan will stop that darling little princess from becoming a doc, because her Mommy and Daddy will be forced spend all their dough on the utility bill, instead of saving it for her college. I guess this is because Hogan might like to see some effort on renewable energy.

This “organization’s” address is 2020 Pennsylvania Ave N.W. #186, Washington D. C. 20006. Not exactly a grassroots local citizens group concerned about legislative races in Whitefish or Polson, or Jefferson County.