Jury convicts Montana state Sen. Jason Ellsworth of official misconduct in corruption trial

A jury in Lewis and Clark County District Court found Montana state Sen. Jason Ellsworth guilty of official misconduct. The corruption trial involved allegations that the Hamilton Republican improperly circumvented the public bidding process to secure a state-funded contract for a friend. On July 21, Ellsworth reacted to the verdict in Judge Christopher Abbott's courtroom and consulted with defense attorney Joan Mell. The conviction follows a trial that lasted several days in the district court.