Billings Legislative Candidate Was Charged with Felony for Impersonating a Cop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 10, 2022

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hadley@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT – Thomas J. Madigan, Republican candidate for HD47 in Billings, was charged and found guilty of impersonating a police officer in 2005. Madigan was sentenced to a two-year deferred prison sentence for impersonating a public servant– which is a felony. This year, he is running for the legislative seat against a real police officer.

In 2005, Madigan showed up apparently drunk at a campground, pretended to be a police officer and threatened to shoot the man he was looking for. According to the Billings Gazette: 

“According to court records, employees of the Yellowstone River Campground called the sheriff's office on July 24 about a man acting suspiciously. They said a man later identified as Madigan asked an employee about another man staying at the campground. The employee said Madigan identified himself as a law enforcement officer and showed her a badge.

The employee said Madigan was not in uniform and smelled of alcohol, court records state. When the employee asked what Madigan intended to do, Madigan replied he would shoot the man he was looking for if he "saw him drinking a beer."

Madigan left the campground, but returned a short time later and identified himself to the owner of the campground as a sheriff's deputy from Golden Valley and showed her the badge. The owner, Judy Barnes, asked Madigan why he was there and she said Madigan replied that the man he was looking for was wanted on abuse charges.”

Today, he is running for HD47, against police detective Denise Baum, who is an actual cop. Baum has served the City of Billings as a law-enforcement officer for 19 years, working as a detective for the last 14 years.

“Montana voters deserve integrity and a strong commitment to public service from their elected officials,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “For voters in HD 47, the choice this November could not be more clear.”

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