Governor Gianforte Declines Suspension of Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar

In a December 26 letter to Commissioner Brad Molnar and Public Service Commission Vice President Jennifer Fielder, Governor Greg Gianforte wrote he does not find "good cause" to temporarily suspend Molnar from the commission despite a complaint from the PSC internal response team alleging unprofessional conduct and interference with an investigation. Gianforte urged the response team and the full commission to complete their inquiry and said the facts presented do not meet the statutory threshold for suspension.

The dispute stems from complaints filed in August that included allegations of retaliation and sexual harassment. In October the commission voted to remove Molnar from the commission presidency while those matters were examined. Molnar has denied wrongdoing and asserted that the inquiry is politically motivated. The internal response team advanced the complaint earlier in the process and commissioners have taken multiple votes related to leadership and investigative steps this year.

Molnar remains an elected commissioner. His continued service affects the balance of votes on utility regulation, rate cases and other matters that directly affect Lewis and Clark County residents and businesses. The Public Service Commission sets policy and reviews utility proposals that can influence electricity costs, broadband access and infrastructure investment across the state. That practical authority heightens the stakes of internal governance and public confidence in the commission.

Molnar's attorney issued responses after the governor's letter and has engaged with the commission process. Vice President Jennifer Fielder has previously spoken about ensuring a workplace free from harassment, and she now chairs commission deliberations while the inquiry proceeds. The governor's decision to defer suspension places responsibility for next steps on the commission and its investigators, who must weigh the evidence and recommend any disciplinary or procedural actions.

For local residents the resolution of the investigation will inform trust in regulatory decision making and in the integrity of an agency that affects household utility bills and local infrastructure projects. The internal response team and the commission said they will continue their work, and any further developments could include additional votes, formal findings or potential legal actions. The matter remains under active review by the Public Service Commission.