Bundy hires new lawyer in wildlife refuge case

PORTLAND, Ore. — The leader of a wildlife refuge occupation in Oregon has retained a new lawyer to defend him against a federal conspiracy charge.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Ammon Bundy has hired J. Morgan Philpot, a former Utah state representative who was born in Oregon. The outspoken tactics of Bundy’s previous lawyer, Mike Arnold of Eugene, drew complaints to the Oregon State Bar. Most have been dismissed, but are a few pending questions about his use of social media.

The federal case against more than two dozen people stems from the Bundy-led 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year.

Bundy has pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charge, possession of firearms in a federal facility and the use or carrying of a firearm during a violent crime.