Montana PSC Commissioner Brad Molnar Faces Serious Misconduct Findings

The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) has officially concluded that Commissioner Brad Molnar engaged in serious misconduct, a finding that has sparked significant debate regarding agency governance and regulatory oversight. On May 6, 2026, the commission voted 3-2 to accept the results of an internal investigation, which substantiated claims of unwelcome sex-based comments in the workplace and retaliatory actions against individuals who reported his behavior.

Findings of Misconduct and Agency Impact

According to an internal response team report, the investigation confirmed that Commissioner Molnar committed repeated violations of both state law and agency policies. The report highlights that these actions were not isolated incidents but represented a pattern of behavior that negatively impacted the workplace environment.

Beyond the personal conduct allegations, the report explicitly states that Molnar’s actions resulted in tangible harm to the agency. The findings cite obstruction and retaliation as primary factors that increased operational costs and exposed the state to significant risk. As a result of these findings, the commission recommended that Molnar be restricted to remote work.

Controversy Surrounding the Timing

The commission’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from Molnar and his legal representative, Matthew Monforton. The defense argues that the proceedings are politically motivated and biased against the commissioner.

A central point of contention is the timing of the report’s release. Monforton noted that the most recent complaint against Molnar was filed in October 2025, yet the PSC waited seven months to formalize these findings. The defense contends that this delay was a calculated effort to prevent Molnar from participating in the upcoming hearing regarding a proposed $15.4 billion merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp.

Molnar has a history of scrutinizing such utility mergers, having voted against a similar proposal in 2007. His legal team maintains that the misconduct allegations are being used as a pretext to exclude him from this critical regulatory decision-making process.

Key Takeaways

• Misconduct Substantiated: An internal investigation found that Commissioner Brad Molnar committed serious, repeated violations of agency policy, including sex-based comments and retaliation.
• Organizational Harm: The PSC report concluded that Molnar’s behavior caused organizational damage and increased financial risk to the state.
• Regulatory Consequences: The commission voted 3-2 to adopt the report’s recommendations, which include moving the commissioner to a remote-work arrangement.
• Legal Defense: Counsel for the commissioner claims the findings are biased and intentionally timed to block Molnar from participating in a major utility merger hearing scheduled for mid-May 2026.

Looking Ahead

The situation at the Montana PSC remains volatile as the agency moves toward high-stakes deliberations on the energy merger. While the commission has taken a firm stance on internal conduct, the legal challenges surrounding the legitimacy and timing of these findings suggest that the matter may continue to evolve. For now, the implementation of remote-work requirements for Commissioner Molnar marks a significant shift in the internal dynamics of the state’s utility regulatory body.