Ann Bukacek

Ann Bukacek, a physician and Montana Public Service Commissioner, has faced several professional and political controversies during her career: Ethics Complaints: In October 2025, Commissioner Brad Molnar filed a complaint alleging Bukacek used state resources for her private medical practice and potentially violated HIPAA by bringing patient records into her public office. The Commissioner of Political Practices subsequently rejected the complaint in November 2025, finding the allegations insufficiently supported. Campaign Finance: In 2016, a campaign finance dispute involving Bukacek and the Montana Pro-Life Coalition was settled. While a previous commissioner alleged reporting failures regarding a 2012 election mailing sent under her signature, the settlement concluded the mailing was produced by third parties without her knowledge or approval, and the state formally attributed the fraud to those third parties. Medicaid Fraud Investigations: In 2009, Bukacek confirmed she was the subject of state and federal investigations into her billing practices, following allegations that she billed Medicaid for time spent praying with patients. No subsequent criminal convictions related to these allegations were reported. Public Health Tenure: During her 2020 service on the Flathead City-County Board of Health, Bukacek drew significant controversy for publicly downplaying COVID-19 death tolls and opposing public health restrictions. This led to competing petitions regarding her tenure, and she resigned from the board in 2022 to run for the Public Service Commission. Residency Allegations: In 2026, a primary challenger accused Bukacek of residing outside her PSC district, though she denied the claim, asserting her residence in a Helena apartment within the district.