The 700 Lb. Gorilla.

Over at City Lights by Ed Kemmick there is an interesting article about our Governor's brother, Walter.

As you may remember, Gov. Schweitzer raised a record amount of funds for his campaign in 2003.
"Schweitzer, who narrowly lost to U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., raised $254,903 from Jan. 8 through March 31, despite refusing to take money from political action committees and political parties.

His campaign reported $229,377 in the bank at the close of the reporting period."

Schweitzer claims fund-raising record in governor race
The Billings Gazette ^ April 8, 2003 CHARLES S. JOHNSON

Who helped raise that money? We know that Walter has influence in Helena and that he raised the money for the Inaugural Ball in which the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan attended. That is some pretty big pull.

The real question is whether or not Walter and Brian are breaking nepotism laws in the State of Montana.

"You asked me to summarize my research regarding nepotism. "Nepotism" is defined by state statute as "the bestowal of political patronage by reason of relationship rather than merit." Section 2-2-301, MCA. Under Montana law, it is unlawful "for a person or any member of any board, bureau, or commission or employee at the head of any department of this state or any political subdivision of this state to appoint to any position of trust or emolument any person related or connected by consanguinity within the fourth degree or by affinity within the second degree." Section 2-2-302, MCA. It is also unlawful to "enter into any agreement or any promise . . . to appoint [a relative] to any position of trust or emolument." Section 2-2-303, MCA. Copies of the statutes are attached as Attachment A."

From a legal document gleaned from the Web.

There also seems to be a certain fear eminating from this brother team in the Governor's office. As one lawmaker, from this Independent article, put it: “I can’t cross these guys,” one said, “or I’ll never get anything done this winter.”

There just haven't been enough questions answered to let this just wash away under a bridge.