Rose fails to appear in court

Sam Haley Rose, the outspoken critic of the Montanore Mineral Project who did not appear for a change-of-plea hearing last Thursday and did not appear Friday, is on the lam — again.

According to Flathead District Court records, Rose, aka Harry Paul Mottsman, 55, and co-founder of Alternative One, failed to appear for the hearing in Flathead District Court, and, as of Monday, has not turned himself into authorities on the forgery charges of which he is accused.

District Judge Ted Lympus, subsequently, issued a bench warrant for Mottsman’s arrest Friday.

According to Rose’s attorney, public defender Brent Getty, “his wife (Lynne Haley Rose) indicated to me earlier this week he wouldn’t be here.”

Rose, who in court testified he legally changed his name to Rose, has four known aliases. He was arrested Nov. 30 in Lincoln County for an outstanding felony warrant in Flathead County for allegedly forging checks.

At the time, Rose was wanted in Flathead County for a 2009 felony warrant. In that case, it is alleged Rose forged two checks in Flathead County for a total amount of $7,416.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Rose when he walked into their office to complain about the Montanore Mine, Sheriff Roby Bowe said at the time. Montanore Mine is a copper and silver project located about 18 miles south of Libby. 

The Roses live near the mine, and they were vocal critics of the environmental impact of the proposed mine. 

Throughout the U.S., Rose reportedly has used the alias names of “Dave Griffin,” “Harold P. Mottsman,” “Sam Alexander Rose.” 

Mottsman is believed to be his birth name.

Rose’s wife, Lynne Haley Rose, has not been charged in the case.

Bail was set at $10,000 and Rose subsequently was released on a commercial bond.

Rose also was wanted on outstanding warrants in Vermont and New Hampshire.