The Montana Legislature's Senate Ethics meeting on March 15, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding the handling of a controversial contract and the implications of media coverage on the proceedings.

A significant point of contention arose regarding the decision by Senator Ellsworth to bifurcate a contract into two parts. Senator Ellsworth explained that this decision was based on a belief that it was necessary to stay under a $100,000 limit that would trigger a procurement process by the Department of Administration. He stated, "It was just a lot of bills. So I thought, putting it under two made a lot more sense." However, this explanation was met with objections from other senators, who argued that the media representation of Ellsworth's statements was misleading and lacked proper citation.

Concerns were raised about the accuracy of a recent article that reported on the contract issue, with senators expressing the need for a complete and accurate portrayal of the discussions. They indicated that they were seeking to obtain the full recording of the conversation to clarify any misinterpretations. Senator Ellsworth's past statements were highlighted as potentially inconsistent, raising questions about the integrity of the media coverage.

The meeting underscored the importance of due process rights for all parties involved, with discussions about ensuring that all relevant information is accurately represented. Senators emphasized the need for transparency and clarity in the ongoing investigation into the contract matter.

As the meeting concluded, the senators acknowledged the complexities of the situation and the necessity for further discussions to resolve the discrepancies in the media coverage and the contract's handling. The outcome of these discussions may have significant implications for the Senate's ethical standards and the relationship between legislative actions and media reporting.