Ammon Bundy, a leader in the January Malheur Wildlife Refuge standoff in Oregon has attained new counsel, according to the Associated Press.
Bundy has hired former Utah state lawmaker J. Morgan Philpot, who has been a strong advocate for states on land use issues. Philpot is currently running for state Senate, according to the Salt Lake Tribune and ran for Congress in 2010, but lost.
“Morgan’s entrance into this case is a positive step forward and does not diminish our belief in the protestors or this case. We believe in Ammon Bundy,” Bundy’s former lawyer Mike Arnold wrote in a statement posted by the Oregonian. “He is a thoughtful and courageous man, a wonderful client and now a friend.”
Bundy was charged with conspiracy to impede law enforcement agents and will face additional weapons charges later this summer. He previously was represented by Arnold, who left the case citing his desire to spend more time with his family, according to the Oregonian. The AP reported that Arnold had also faced complaints from the Oregon bar association for his use of social media.