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Augare Steps Back from Legislative Duties Amid DUI Charge

By Beacon Staff

State Senator and Blackfeet Tribal Councilman Shannon Augare has stepped back from his legislative duties. On July 10, the Browning Democrat accused of drunken driving and fleeing an officer in May, was absent from the Senate’s law and justice committee meeting in Helena.

On May 26, Augare allegedly sped away from a Glacier County sheriff’s deputy near Cut Bank after the officer had pulled him over and reportedly smelled alcohol in the car. In June, federal prosecutors charged Augare with drunken driving, obstructing a peace officer and reckless driving. Augare is scheduled to appear in federal court in Great Falls on July 17.

Senate Minority Leader Jon Sesso said the decision for Augare to step back from his committee duties was mutual. Augare serves on the law and justice committee and state-tribal relations committee. Sesso said the committees meet about once a quarter when the Legislature is not in session.

“On his own, he said, ‘I don’t want to bring more distractions to the Legislature because of my legal issues,’” Sesso said. “We feel he needs to get his legal issues sorted out before he resumes his assignments.”

Augare has not made a public statement since the incident and did not return phone calls from the Beacon last week.

Augare was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and then the Senate in 2010, the same year he joined the tribal council. Augare made news during the 2013 legislative session when he disappeared for a day in order to set up a “Call of the Senate” procedure.

Republicans argued that he was trying to halt business on a critical deadline day. His time on the Blackfeet Tribal Council has also been tumultuous. Last summer, Augare was part of the ruling council that suspended five other councilors and more than two-dozen tribal employees.

Since then, only five councilors have been in office, and critics on the reservation contend that does not constitute a quorum to conduct business.

Following the May 26 incident in Cut Bank, Augare talked to legislative leadership, including Senate President Jeff Essmann.

“I do not think it is appropriate for Senator Augare to serve on the interim committee while these serious charges are pending,” Essmann said in a statement.

Sesso said he believes Augare will resume his legislative duties in the fall. Sesso said he has been in constant contact with the senator since the incident and believes there is more to the story than people know.

“I think what has been reported in the press doesn’t speak to the entire matter,” he said.

When asked why Augare has not addressed the DUI allegations publicly, Sesso speculated that Augare was being advised not to discuss the matter until after the court hearings.

“These are personal matters,” Sesso said. “But he is a public figure and he should respond as he sees fit.”