Candidate reacts to Missoulian article

Since Sunday’s Missoulian article by Keila Szpaller ran regarding an alleged sexual assault that took place in 2008 Nicholas Schwaderer, the Republican candidate for House District 14, has gone about business as usual. 

Schwaderer has continued to actively campaign, work full-time at the Mineral Pharmacy and develop a new Mineral County based business – a fourth generation microbrewery in St. Regis. 

“I don’t want to go point by point and refute everything in the article,” Schwaderer said. “We made it clear a long time ago that I am willing to waive my privacy and release the information from the investigation. All she (accuser Laura Williams) has to do is waive her consent and then the documents will be released.” 

The confidential justice information, which contains compiled information from Missoula Detective Jamie Merifield’s investigation, was sealed after Schwaderer was not charged for the alleged sexual assault in 2008. 

“It’s clear that they (the Missoulian) didn’t want that open and would rather use recollections from years later,” Schwaderer said. “If those documents are released we can compare her statements then, to now.” 

Schwaderer’s legal counsel, Attorney Lance Jasper, communicated his client’s intent to waive his rights to privacy to Szpaller in an emailed questionnaire the reporter sent on Sept. 4. 

“We would be happy to meet with you when Ms. Williams signs a release of informations and allows all confidential justice information to be released to the public and Detective Jamie Merifield is allowed to discuss the facts of this case,” Jasper said in the email. “If you truly wish to have a complete and accurate story I believe such a release is required…To publish a story without the entire file would be misleading, especially when your target, Mr. Schwaderer, is volunteering to release such confidential information.” 

The introduction to Jasper’s answered questionnaire goes on to state that “we know what the file contains and we only wish we could give it to you, but that would violate Ms. Williams’ privacy rights.” 

Schwaderer added that since he was contacted by Szpaller in June, it was made clear that releasing the confindential information “is what we want done” and that he is a candidate who is “transparent.” 

Schwaderer continues to wait to be contacted so that he can waive his right to privacy and the information can come out.

“I’m doing what I have to do – I am campaigning and working,” Schwaderer said. “I am doing what I need to do.”