PSC Seeks Governor's Action to Suspend Commissioner Molnar

PSC SEEKS GOVERNOR’S ACTION TO SUSPEND COMMISSIONER MOLNAR AFTER MISCONDUCT FINDINGS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2026

HELENA, Mont. - On May 21, 2026, the Montana Public Service Commission filed a formal complaint with Governor Greg Gianforte asking that he suspend Commissioner Brad Molnar for work-related misconduct under MCA 69-1-113. The reported misconduct began shortly after Commissioner Molnar joined the Commission in early 2025 and continued despite managerial counseling, training, and repeated formal warnings.  

The PSC’s request to the governor is based upon two independent investigation reports completed by outside human resources professionals in 2025, and supplemental findings and recommendations identified by the agency’s Response Team which is comprised of top-level internal agency managers. The Response Team Report was adopted by the Commission on May 6, 2026. 

After extensive independent and internal review, the Response Team and the Commission concluded Commissioner Molnar committed consequential violations of agency policies and state law, resulting in damage to the workforce, disruption of department operations, heightened risk to the agency, and substantial diversion of staff and commissioner time away from core regulatory work. The complaint also notes Commissioner Molnar engaged in a prolonged pattern of defiance rather than accountability, including noncooperation with investigators, efforts to obstruct and divert the process, and making misleading public statements about the investigation and his colleagues. 

“Misconduct from any official, elected or otherwise, cannot be allowed to drag on without real consequences,” PSC President Jeffery Welborn said. “This record shows serious, substantiated violations and a clear pattern of defiance instead of accountability. If we allow that to stand, we send the wrong message to every state employee and officeholder about what Montana will tolerate in its workplaces. We are asking the Governor to use the authority the Legislature gave him to find good cause, impose a suspension strong enough to stop the retaliation and waste of taxpayer resources, and help this agency get back to doing its job for Montana ratepayers.” 

The PSC’s filing stresses that Commissioner Molnar’s misconduct cannot be allowed to continue without substantive intervention, and that the Response Team’s recommendations are designed both to ensure accountability and to outline a realistic path toward remediation. The filing also notes that, following legislative audits, the Commission spent several years revising its Strategic Plan and Internal Policy Manual, culminating in the 2024 adoption of a PSC‑wide Code of Conduct that applies to all personnel, including commissioners. This updated framework underscores the PSC’s efforts to retain a quality work force in order to optimize public service, and its legal duty as an employer to prevent and address harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace. 

Where to Find the Full Details 

The PSC’s Response Team Report in the Matter of the Misconduct of Commissioner Brad Molnar, PSC INVESTIGATION REPORT EXECUTIV SUMMARY REDACTED, and PSC RETALIATON INVESTIGATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY_REDACTED contains the full findings, timeline, and recommendations. This report is publicly available through the Montana Public Service Commission website.