First reply from AG Kundensen

Sent on March 31, 2025

Dear Dustin Michael Shappee,

Thank you for contacting the Montana Attorney General's office.

The Montana Attorney General does not direct or supervise state agencies other than the Department of Justice. Questions or complaints about other state agencies should be directed to the specific agency or the office of the governor.

By law, our office represents the State of Montana in cases involving the state's interest, provides legal defense to elected and appointed officials, and gives formal legal advisory opinions on constitutional or legal questions at the request of designated public officials.

The Attorney General's office is prohibited from interpreting laws or offering legal advice to private citizens or organizations and does not have the authority to investigate or prosecute private citizens’ cases.

We suggest that he seeks advice from a private attorney. If you need help in locating an attorney, you can contact the State Bar of Montana at 406-449-6577 or visit them online at: https://montanabar.org.

Regards,

ContactDOJ@mt.gov

Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Montana Department of Justice

Our reply to Attorney General Kundensen

Dear Attorney General Knudsen,

Thank you for your response. I understand that your office represents the state and does not provide legal services to private citizens.

However, I must point out that your recommendation to “seek a private attorney” overlooks a critical fact: the last attorney I retained was licensed by your office, and he destroyed the original medical records essential to my workers’ compensation claim. His name was Gary Seaman. He is now serving a 60-year sentence for murder.

I followed the proper channels. I submitted evidence. I trusted your system. And I was not just abandoned—I was sabotaged by someone your office once empowered to represent the law.

If the only recourse you offer is to “get another lawyer,” then I ask plainly:
Will the State of Montana be providing me one to replace the man your system gave me?

I respectfully request that your office at least acknowledge this unique circumstance and consider internally referring my case to the Department of Labor or the Governor’s Office with the weight it deserves.

Because, as I've stated: I’ve already used one of your attorney's. How am I to be expected to trust another one after what this man has done to me?

--

Sincerely,
Glen Eaton
With assistance from Dustin Michael Shappee, Advocate for Glen Eaton

Second reply from Attorney General Kundensen

Dear Glen Eaton,

The American Bar Association determines if an individual meets the requirements to practice law. The Supreme Court of the State has exclusive jurisdiction to remove or suspend attorneys at law, not the Attorney Generals office.

The Attorney General does not have the authority to address complaints against private attorneys. Complaints should be addressed to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, P.O. Box 1099, Helena, MT 59624 phone (406) 442-1648 https://montanaodc.org/.

The State Bar of Montana's primary duties include fostering high standards of integrity and competence among attorneys, aiding the courts in maintaining justice, safeguarding the public's interests, and providing continuing legal education.

The Attorney General has general supervisory authority over the elected County Attorneys in the state.

It is your choice as to whether you want to hire an attorney or not.

“Just because you find one bad apple doesn’t mean you should give up on the whole tree.” https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/healthy-quotes--768778598894183590/

Regards,

ContactDOJ@mt.gov

Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Montana Department of Justice

Final reply to Atorney General Kundensen

Dear Attorney General Knudsen,

Thank you for your continued correspondence.

This reply is submitted to formally clarify that the issue at hand no longer centers around disciplinary action against attorney Gary Seaman. That avenue has already been pursued through the appropriate channels, including the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

This communication is instead focused on the broader and unresolved violations of law, ethics, and public trust that persist to this day:

1. A Montana business knowingly operated without workers’ compensation coverage, resulting in a permanent, disabling injury to Glen Eaton. This employer was later caught violating the same law again, yet there is no record of meaningful enforcement action from the state.
2. A representative employee of the Department of Labor and Industry, who recorded his claim, filed a retaliatory false report with Helena law enforcement against Mr. Eaton, despite no threats having been made. The police questioned her, she verified he made no threats, and closed the matter. This act appears designed to intimidate or discredit Mr. Eaton for lawfully pursuing his claim.
3. The systemic mishandling of Glen Eaton’s case, the suppression of evidence, and the failure to enforce existing labor laws reflect a breakdown in the very protections Montana citizens are entitled to expect from their government.

While we appreciate the limitations of your office’s jurisdiction over private attorneys, we must also highlight that:

• Your office licenses the attorneys who represent this state and its people.
• Your office has supervisory authority over County Attorneys and criminal law enforcement coordination.
• And as the highest legal office in Montana, you hold moral and public responsibility for the state’s legal climate—especially when patterns of retaliation and neglect emerge within state agencies.

We will continue to release supplemental statements outlining these incidents in detail. This letter and all associated replies are being documented as part of our growing public and legal dossier. The Office of the President, U.S. Department of Justice, and multiple press organizations are among the recipients of these materials.

Should your office wish to forward this complaint to the appropriate division or request access to the full documentation, we will provide it immediately upon verified request.

--

Sincerely,
Dustin Michael Shappee
Advocate for Glen Eaton

Correction regarding Gary Seaman Handling of Glen Eaton Medical Records

Sent on April 30, 2025

Attorney General Knudsen

I am writing to submit a formal correction regarding a previous communication I sent to your office as part of the Glen Eaton Justice Project.

In our original message, I mistakenly stated that Glen Eaton's former legal representative, Gary Seaman, "destroyed" his medial evidence related to a 1993 workplace injury. Upon reevaluation of Glen's statements and the timeline of events, this characterization was based on a misinterpreted comment. The verified and accurate description is that Gary Seaman withheld the evidence, and did not forward it to the appropriate state agency.

This correction is made in good faith and is being implemented across all public-facing materials related to the project.

I thank you for your prior attention and for keeping this matter of Montana labor justice under review.

Respectfully,
Dustin M. Shappee
Advocate for Glen Eaton
https://gleneaton.neocities.org