Judge rules against Molnar in ethics case

 HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- A judge says Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar
was correctly fined $21,000 for violating ethics laws by using state government
equipment for re-election campaign work.
   Billings Judge Susan Watters on Monday affirmed the commissioner of political
 practices decision that Molnar received unlawful gifts and improperly used state
equipment.
   The case stems from the Republican's 2008 campaign. His opponent accused him
of improperly soliciting and receiving $1,000 from PPL Montana and NorthWestern
Energy to print brochures for a Billings energy conservation event in 2007.
   The commissioner also ruled the materials were campaign materials and that
Molnar used state government equipment during that campaign.
   The judge disagreed with Molnar's assertion that the ethics laws were "uncons
“unconstitutionally vague."
   AP-WF-02-07-12 2211GMT