Gallatin Co. dismisses 9 felony cases involved in Bozeman police 'bingo game’

BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Gallatin County attorney dismisses nine felony cases connected to a ‘bingo game’ involving the Bozeman Police Department.

An external prosecutor conducted an independent report and found no evidence indicating the game had any material effect on the arrests.

The report did conclude the ‘bingo game’ may have been required by law to be disclosed to the court.

Two supreme court cases, Brady v. Maryland and Giglio v. United states, say prosecutors are required to disclose any evidence that is, “favorable to the accused and material to guilt or punishment.”

After reviewing the investigations, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell dismissed the nine cases.

“As the county attorney I have a unique responsibility on the law enforcement continuum: to uphold the rights of all involved—the victims, the accused, and the community—and to ensure that the prosecutions we bring are effective, fair, and constitutionally sound,” said Cromwell.

This situation came to light last month when the Bozeman Police Department held a press conference to address the ‘bingo game’ between two teams of patrol officers.

An inquiry found the officers didn't lie or conduct themselves unprofessionally to win the game, but the agency said officers didn't consider the impact the game could have or what would look like to the community.