Attorney wants off group's case

HELENA — The attorney for a secretive political group known for challenging state campaign laws is asking to be removed from a case where the state is seeking a big penalty.

American Traditional Partnership has been the subject of legal turmoil and regulatory scrutiny over its campaign activities.

The state argues the group has been illegally spending money in elections anonymously, and is seeking more than $300,000 in fines for 2008 election activity.

But the group’s most recent attorney in the case has asked to be removed from the case by the judge due to “unreasonable financial burden” of the case.

The Montana attorney general’s office is arguing it is a delay tactic, and is asking a judge to move ahead with the hearing.

A judge canceled a hearing scheduled this week on the fine.