Montana's Public Service Commission is facing serious allegations in federal court that its leadership attempted to "scrub" an email that could serve as evidence in an active lawsuit against the agency — and that it fired its own human resources director in retaliation for what she knew.

The allegations surfaced in a federal court filing and were attributed in part to Commissioner Brad Molnar. The PSC's spokesperson said Thursday the agency was still reviewing the document and declined to comment. The commission, which regulates Montana's utilities and telecommunications companies, has five elected commissioners and oversees decisions that affect ratepayers across the state.

The specifics of the underlying lawsuit and the identity of the fired HR director were not fully detailed in available source material, but the core allegation — that agency leadership took active steps to destroy potential evidence — is the kind of claim that, if substantiated, could carry significant legal consequences for the individuals involved and the commission as an institution.

For Helena residents, the PSC's decisions touch everyday life through utility rate approvals and energy policy. A cloud of litigation and internal turmoil at the commission comes at a moment when the body is navigating high-stakes proceedings involving NorthWestern Energy and Montana's evolving energy landscape. The case is expected to continue in federal court.