Monica Lindeen

Monica Lindeen (born May 16, 1962) is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives from 1999 to 2006, representing House District 43. Born in Ogden, Utah, Monica Lindeen served as Vice Chair of the Montana Democratic Party from 1997 to -2000. In 1996 she ran for House District 7 but lost to the incumbent.

Lindeen attended Montana State University - Billings and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

2006 Election

Lindeen was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, running against Republican incumbent Dennis Rehberg and Libertarian Mike Fellows for the lone Montana seat in the U.S. Congress. Campaigning around the state in a biodiesel green school bus, Lindeen fought an uphill battle with little funding in a grassroots campaign against three term Rehberg. Lindeen lost the election with 39% of the vote to Rehberg's 59% and Fellows' 2%.

State Auditor

On February 19, 2007 Lindeen announced her plans to run for State Auditor in the 2008 elections.

Lindeen named Walt Schweitzer as Deputy State Auditor.^[1] Schweitzer, brother of Governor Brian Schweitzer and a campaign consultant, had managed Lindeen's campaign.^[2] In the summer of 2009, an employee of the office, Laura McGee, formally complained to Lindeen that Schweitzer improperly "solicited campaign contributions from employees in the State Auditor’s office on state time."^[3] McGee was subsequently fired, and Schweitzer claimed to have no recollection of the events. ^[1] McGee then filed a wrongful discharge lawsuit and an independent investigation was launched.^[4] Although the independent investigation did not substantiate McGee's allegation, in part because she did not cooperate with the investigator, the State Auditor's office nonetheless chose to settle the lawsuit. According to the Billings Gazette, "Investigating and settling McGee’s complaint cost the Auditor’s Office about $62,500," and in addition, Lindeen reinstated McGee to employment for a period of 16 months at her previous salary of $45,000 a year, allowing McGee to telecommute from her home.^[4][5] Walt Schweitzer remains on Lindeen's payroll. ^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://www.helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/article_fa747021-45fb-5821-8fc9-ac3f0124c26f.html no recollection of these events
2. ^ http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/article_bcf1368e-7599-542f-9fc0-3a401d4f3e8d.html Campaign manger
3. ^ http://mtlowdown.blogspot.com/2009/08/lindeen-orders-independent.html Allegations of former employee
4. ^ ^{a b} Lindeen, ex-employee reach settlement over illegal politicking charges
5. ^ http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/greatfallstribune/access/1949238611.html?FMT=ABS&date=Jan+27%2C+2010 Cost breakdown of settlement (payment required)
6. ^ Auditor, ex-worker reach settlement

External links

• Montana State Auditor's homepage
• Monica Lindeen for State Auditor
• Election coverage article from the Billings Gazette

Persondata
Name	Lindeen, Monica
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	May 16, 1962
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death