Gov. Greg Gianforte from the state鈥檚 utility board following investigations into his workplace conduct. In a letter dated July 9, Gianforted addressed the 鈥渦nprecedented鈥� nature of the suspension, which he described as warranted by Molnar鈥檚 鈥渦nprecedented behavior.鈥� Multiple Public Service Commission employees have accused Molnar of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliatory behavior.
Gianforte ordered the suspension following a request three commissioners made to oust Molnar, who had served as the PSC president until to a regular commissioner in October. The suspension is effective immediately and will last at least one year.
It is unclear if Gianforte will install someone else to take Molnar鈥檚 place while he is suspended without pay.
鈥淭he Governor is evaluating next steps for an appointment,鈥� Gianforte spokesperson wrote in a Friday afternoon email to Montana Free Press.
Molnar has long argued that the effort to push him out of the agency is motivated by politics and animated by interpersonal conflicts. He鈥檚 who has made some off-color comments. He maintained that they don鈥檛 warrant the 鈥渙verturning of an election.鈥�
The PSC is in the midst of scrutinizing major energy deals involving NorthWestern Energy, the state鈥檚 largest utility, including a proposed and the development of that will shape the future of data-center development in Montana. NorthWestern is reportedly .
Molnar is the most experienced commissioner at the PSC, having served eight years prior to . The Republican also had a long tenure as a state lawmaker representing the Laurel area.
Matthew Monforton, the attorney representing Molnar in the dispute, cast suspicion on the motivations behind the ouster.
鈥淭he governor and the PSC imposed a kangaroo process designed to sideline Brad Molnar, who is the PSC鈥檚 strongest watchdog for ratepayers, and make room for someone to rubberstamp the governor鈥檚 plan for higher utility profits and data-center giveaways,鈥� Monforton told MTFP in a Friday afternoon phone call.
The investigation involves workplace strife that started as early as February 2025, shortly after Molnar assumed his four-year post with the agency.
Late last summer, three PSC employees launched an investigation into Molnar鈥檚 workplace conduct based on allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliatory behavior. In September, PSC Vice President during the investigation to prevent further retaliation and guard against the loss of experienced agency staff.
Gianforte denied the request, arguing it was inappropriate to make such a consequential decision while the investigation was still underway. In May, the and again asked Gianforte to suspend Molnar via a 3-2 vote. On Thursday, Gianforte acted on the second request.
, Gianforte outlined the sexual harassment and retaliatory behavior claims, arguing that they rose to the level of a suspension-worthy offense.
鈥淭he report describes numerous unwelcome sexual comments, ranging from suggesting a female employee dreams about a male coworker at night to 鈥楾opless Tuesdays,鈥欌�� Gianforte wrote in the letter.
Monforton denied some of the report鈥檚 claims against Molnar, but acknowledged that some of them were undisputed.
鈥淗e did use the term 鈥楾opless Tuesday,鈥� and he has expressed regret for that,鈥� Monforton said. 鈥淚t was an off-color joke.鈥�
Gianforte鈥檚 letter added that the report described an incident where Molnar said he could 鈥渇ind out where (a PSC coworker) lived and, most disturbingly, get pictures of her kids sleeping in their beds.鈥�
鈥淚n my view, Commissioner Molnar has repeatedly violated the sacred trust between him and the people of Montana and has shown no remorse for it,鈥� Gianforte wrote in the letter. 鈥淭he PSC should be given adequate time to reestablish order and morale with the agency. And Commissioner Molnar should have some time to both reflect on and assess his conduct and to complete any appropriate training the PSC has required of him to ensure proper decorum and lawful behavior on his return.鈥�
Molnar has, at multiple junctures, taken battles with his fellow commissioners and other agency staff to court alleging, among other things, that his right to political speech precludes the actions that have been taken against him. In May, Molnar to thwart his fellow commissioners鈥� efforts to bar him from entering the PSC office in Helena while a multiday hearing involving NorthWestern鈥檚 proposed merger with Black Hills was underway.
In an emailed statement to MTFP Friday afternoon, Molnar questioned Gianforte鈥檚 motivations and agenda. Molnar argued that he received 鈥済overnment by accusation鈥� 鈥� not the due process he says he should have been afforded.
鈥淚 have proudly built a career fighting for Montana consumers, not powerful special interests,鈥� Molnar wrote. 鈥淚 will continue fighting in court to restore the office the people elected me to hold and to prevent political power from corrupting a regulatory process that is supposed to protect ratepayers, not politically connected industries.鈥�
Monforton confirmed with MTFP that Molnar will be back in court early next week to try to block the suspension.
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