Ellsworth Pleads Not Guilty to Official Misconduct Over $170,100 Contracts

Former Montana Senate president Jason Ellsworth appeared in Lewis and Clark County District Court and pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor official misconduct charge connected to $170,100 in government work allegedly steered to a longtime business associate without competitive bids. Prosecutors say Ellsworth split the work into two contracts to avoid the formal bidding process; he maintains his innocence and entered a not guilty plea during the Jan. 22, 2026 arraignment.

The case centers on whether actions taken while Ellsworth served as Senate president and as chair of the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform fall within legislative immunity. Ellsworth asked the court to vacate the arraignment or stay proceedings on the basis that his conduct was part of protected legislative duties. District Judge Christopher Abbott denied that request, saying the immunity argument has not yet been proven and must be resolved in the court process; Abbott said the immunity issues would be addressed promptly.

Court records show the Lewis and Clark County court previously suspended Ellsworth from serving as senator pending the outcome of the case. That suspension leaves constituents in his district without his active participation in the Senate while the criminal matter proceeds. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor official misconduct conviction in Montana is six months in jail.

Local implications are direct. Allegations that an elected official used procurement practices to favor an associate hit at two familiar concerns in Helena and wider Lewis and Clark County: how public contracts are awarded and how officials balance oversight responsibilities with personal and business relationships. Ellsworth’s role as chair of the committee charged with judicial oversight adds an institutional layer to those concerns, raising questions about accountability mechanisms inside the Legislature and how leadership roles are monitored.

The case also has political ripple effects. Ellsworth’s suspension and the pending criminal charge could affect Senate committee assignments, voting margins on close measures, and party dynamics in the Capitol. For voters, the matter highlights the link between campaign choices and day-to-day governance: who represents the district, how transparent contracting is, and how quickly the courts move to resolve claims against elected officials.

Next steps include prompt judicial consideration of the legislative immunity claim and subsequent hearings on the charge. The court process will determine whether Ellsworth resumes his seat or faces conviction and potential sanctions. For Lewis and Clark County residents, the outcome will influence public trust in procurement rules and the accountability of those who serve at the statehouse. Follow-up coverage will track court dates and any policy or procedural responses by legislative leaders.