Stating insufficient evidence, county won't prosecute Olsen

Lincoln County Attorney Bernard Cassidy says there is insufficient evidence to charge Libby City Councilman Allen Olsen with improperly tagging a deer shot last fall on the land where his business is located.

Allegations that Olsen, 55, illegally tagged a deer with his then-girlfriend’s tag were brought by Richard Robinson. Olsen contends the allegations are motivated by his former girlfriend, Jami Britton, who is the mother of Olsen’s son.

Currently, Olsen and Britton are entangled in a custody dispute over their 16-month-old child. Olsen said the charges brought by Robinson are politically motivated, as he is a Libby city councilman running for mayor. Further, Olsen says Robinson was not at his business the day the deer was taken and his knowledge of that is hearsay, second-hand, at best.

“There is no way he would have any knowledge of this,” Olsen said. “What he’s getting is directly from Jami.”

Robinson, 39, filed the complaint last month with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Libby Game Warden Tamie Laverdure confirmed that she received of a letter from Cassidy that states there is insufficient evidence to bring formal charges against Olsen. “We’re not going to pursue this,” Laverdure said.

Cassidy explained it further.

“Basically, it is a he-said, he-said situation,” Cassidy said. “The letter written to (Laverdure) bears that out.”

Laverdure visited Olsen on Sept. 10, to follow up on the allegations by Robinson about the deer taken 10 months before on the Antler Tree Nursery property at 33692 Highway 2. Olsen admits taking the three-point buck, but denies placing Britton’s tag on the deer.

“I shot it right out there,” Olsen said pointing to the high earthen embankment behind his business. “And, I used my own tag, not my girlfriend’s.”

“It’s politics,” Olsen said. “I really don’t believe this would even be an issue if I were not running for mayor.”