Fed probe proves costly to Missoula County

MISSOULA (AP) — Missoula County's chief administrative officer has asked county commissioners to add $100,000 to next year's budget that might be needed due to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the way Missoula police, prosecutors and the University of Montana have responded to reports of sexual assault and harassment after the agency learned of complaints that cases weren't being properly handled.

The Missoulian reports (http://bit.ly/O6283F) that Dale Bickell made the request Friday, saying the county may have some risk and he's trying to plan ahead.

Federal authorities in May disclosed the investigation after a preliminary examination conducted earlier this year concluded there was enough evidence to move ahead with a full probe.

County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg has said he won't cooperate, calling the investigation an overreach of the federal government.