HELENA – The state Commissioner of Political Practices resigned late Tuesday, several days after staff accused him of doing private business on state time.
David Gallik,  pictured at right, told the Great Falls Tribune he told Gov. Brian Schweitzer of his decision to resign after learning that his staff in the commissioner’s office called the police Tuesday.
He told the newspaper he did not know why the staff called police while he was out of the office.
On Wednesday, Gallik submitted a one-sentence resignation letter to the governor: “Due to current circumstances, I hereby tender my resignation as the Commissioner of Political Practices for the State of Montana, effective immediately.”
Schweitzer then sent a letter to majority and minority leaders in the Legislature: “I am requesting that legislative leadership send me a list of nominees for the office … no later than close of business on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
The Tribune on Sunday reported allegations made by all four members of the commissioner’s office that Gallik was fudging state time sheets and logging state pay for hours spent working on private practice matters, a charge Gallik denied.
Gallik, appointed to the post in May by Schweitzer, said his staff — all of whom were hired before he was appointed — do not like him because he is “different” from past commissioners.
“The folks around here aren’t used to someone like me,” Gallik told the Tribune. “What it boils down to is we have classified employees who come in here and work eight hours a day, and former commissioners who had no political background and no legal back­ground. So it’s different.”
Gallik did not return a call for comment regarding possibly attending the Jan. 27 SAVA committee meeting.
The Commissioner of Political Practices monitors, investigates and enforces campaign practices, finances, lobbying of state district candidates, elected state officials, and state department directors. It also monitors ethical standards of conduct for legislators, public officers, and state employees.
Rep. Pat Ingraham, R-Thompson Falls, chairwoman of the State Administration and Veterans’ Affairs Interim Committee (SAVA) which monitors the political practices office, told Montana Watchdog she has e-mailed her vice chairman and committee members to see if they wanted Gallik to speak to the allegations at the committee’s Jan. 27 meeting. She said on Wednesday that would be “moot” if Gallik had reportedly resigned. 
She said political practices staff members may be invited to the meeting to discuss how the office is functioning. Ingraham said the SAVA committee may also have a discussion on legislation that could be introduced in the next session to revise the commissioner of political practices position.
“Maye it’s time to look at a few changes in that office,” she said.
When asked if the attorney general’s office was looking into the complaints against Gallik, Attorney General Steve Bullock said the state has a process set up.
“These are serious allegations, especially given the role the commissioner’s office plays.” he said, adding the Legislature has established a process for dealing with situations in which there are complaints involving the commissioner. “My office does not have an official role in that process,” Bullock said. ”For now, it is appropriate to allow those charged with this responsibility to decide how they are going to go forward.”