Accountability in State Government v. Knudsen

ACTIVE - Private challenge

Case Details

Court:

U.S. District Court, District of Montana

Docket:

6:26-cv-00038-SPW

Filed:

May 6, 2026

Status:

Complaint filed

Plaintiff(s):

Accountability in State Government, Dan Bartel

Defendant(s):

Austin Knudsen (Montana Attorney General), Kevin Downs (Lewis and Clark County Attorney), Chris Gallus, Montana Commissioner of Political Practices

Law Challenged:

Montana SB 25 (2025) (Deepfake Regulation)

Legal Theories:

First Amendment (content- and viewpoint-based speech restriction)
Fourteenth Amendment (vagueness)

Summary

Plaintiff Accountability in State Government ("ASG") is an independent political committee; Dan Bartel is a former legislator and treasurer of ASG. ASG used synthetic media in political flyers to alter photos of candidates, adding to the photos pride flags, preferred pronouns, and other alterations. Three candidates filed formal administrative complaints that ASG had violated the Deepfake Regulation and defendant Commissioner of Political Practices sent letters to ASG advising it that it was investigating, giving a deadline for response. ASG and Bartel filed its complaint.

Documents

📄 CourtListener Docket
📄 Complaint (May 6, 2026)
📄 Carlson Administrative Complaint (Apr 20, 2026)
📄 Commissioner of Political Practices Letter to Bartel re Carlson Complaint (Apr 29, 2026)

Timeline