Lawmaker faces fine over spending report

 MISSOULA (AP) — Montana’s political practices commissioner says a newly elected Democratic state representative faces an undetermined fine for initially failing to report $900 she spent for campaign postcards.

Commissioner Jonathan Motl will meet with Kimberly Dudik to negotiate the size of the fine.

Dudik’s opponent in the Nov. 4 election, independent Gary Marbut, filed a complaint against her over the expense.

Dudik says she amended her report within four hours of learning of the omission and notified Motl about it.

Dudik defeated Marbut by 48 votes out of almost 3,400 cast.

Marbut has filed a lawsuit seeking a recount of more than 190 absentee ballots that were unreadable, damaged or contained some question about the voter’s intent. The suit hasn’t come to trial.