Central Montana Times

Over $32,000 was spent by Helena on outside legal services for issues regarding the former city manager Ana Cortez. 

In June 2019, the city hired Missoula-based Kantor Law to investigate complaints from two city employees for about $15,400, according to the Helena Independent Record. The city employees were issuing complaints against Cortez and her "bearing and management style," but she was later cleared of policy violations. Instead, city commissioners had Cortez complete training for communications and management. 

But in January 2020, the city hired legal services from Great Falls firm Ugrin Alexander Zadick, P.C. for about $17,400 for services regarding Cortez's relationship with the city of Helena, according to the Record. The city was prepared to hire another law firm for a third investigation, but Cortez agreed to resign before it was conducted. 

Moreover, Cortez agreed to resign in exchange for $163,887.51 and a letter of recommendation from Mayor Wilmont Collins, the Independent Record reported. 

"Although the investigation does not conclude Cortez violated City Policies regarding matters alleged in (redacted) and (redacted) complaints, it is also apparent the complaints were filed in good faith and these and other employees are deeply upset by Cortez's approach to her position," Isaac Kantor of Kantor Law said in a redacted version of the report.