Complaint filed over signage, website in Stevi recall effort

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jeffrey Mangan received a complaint about Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey from Stevensville resident Jim Crews on April 23. Crews lodged a complaint about Dewey’s use of the Town’s website to comment on and defend himself against the recall petition that is currently being circulated.

Crews claims the mayor is using the Town of Stevensville’s resources to disseminate information opposing the recall via the Town website and the town’s Facebook page.  

Secondly, he believes that Dewey has apparently authorized the placement of campaign signage in town and outside of town which names his campaign manager. Crews said he believes the action is a violation of campaign finance laws in that he authorized the placement of the signs. He also alleges a violation of the Ethics Laws of the State of Montana in that Dewey is apparently using public property and resources to engage in a political campaign to oppose a valid recall effort.

Political Practices Commissioner Jeffery Mangan replied to Crews in a letter dated April 28, stating that the enforcement of violations of Montana’s Code of Ethics by local government officers would fall under the jurisdiction of the County Attorney. For this reason, he rejected that part of Crews’ complaint and forwarded it to Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright for his consideration.

Fulbright did not return phone call inquiries from the Bitterroot Star in time for publication.

Mangan told Crews that he was accepting only the part of his complaint about a potential violation of Campaign Finance and Practices laws. He sent a copy of the complaint to Dewey who may file a formal response.

Mayor Dewey said that he was contacted by the Commissioner of Political Practices’ office about the complaint. He said they wanted to know where the signs came from and what he was doing.

“I am not distributing signs and have not authorized anybody to use their old campaign signs for me the way they are using them,” said Dewey. He said some people are using their old campaign signs from the 2018 election to show support for him but that he did not organize it and in fact has discouraged it once he was informed about it. He said that he has not instituted any form of opposition to the recall effort “largely in part due to the fact that it hasn’t been filed yet and so is not yet a ballot issue.”

The Star did submit a question to the COPP through its website: “If a sitting elected official is NOT currently running for office, could someone place an old campaign sign in their yard…?” The Star received this response from Scott Cook, Compliance Specialist: “This Office does not have jurisdiction as to what private citizens choose to display or otherwise place in their yard or place of residence.”