Press Release

State Auditor James Brown Charges Billings Man With Felony Criminal Insurance Fraud for Allegedly Filing False Claim Over ‘Stolen’ Lawnmowers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: September 24, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] September 24, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown charged a Billings man with felony criminal insurance fraud for allegedly filing a false claim for losses he reported on several lawnmowers he purported were stolen from him. In July of 2023, Adam Walker stated his … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Commends Federal Prosecutors for Securing Guilty Plea by Man Previously Convicted of Insurance Fraud in Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: September 22, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] September 22, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown applauds federal prosecutors for securing a guilty plea from a Connecticut man previously convicted of insurance fraud in Montana. The conviction follows an investigation by the Montana Auditor’s office and other state and federal law enforcement … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Joins Land Board Colleagues in Approving More Than $2.4 Million in New Revenue for Montana Schools at September Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: September 21, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] September 21, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor James Brown joined his Land Board colleagues in approving more than $2.4 million in new revenue for schools across the Treasure State at the group’s September meeting. The Montana Constitution entrusts Auditor Brown and other Land Board … Read more

Auditor James Brown Issues Warning to Montana Consumers About Utilizing “Self-Funded,” Limited Partner Health Plans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: September 3, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] September 3, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI), advises consumers to carefully review health insurance coverage offered through “self-funded,” limited partner plans. These plans may not be compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Kicks Off National Life Insurance Awareness Month by Connecting Montanans to Policy Locator Tool

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: September 1, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] September 1, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown is kicking off National Life Insurance Awareness Month by connecting Montanans to a free tool that helps beneficiaries find unclaimed life insurance policies. The Life Insurance Policy Locator, hosted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Initiates First Market Conduct Review of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana in More Than a Decade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: August 31, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] August 31, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown initiated the first market conduct review of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) in more than a decade. The review will evaluate the company’s compliance with applicable state laws and regulations. As Montana’s Commissioner … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Permanently Revokes License of Kalispell Bail Bondsman Accused of Using Position to Exploit Montanans, Including for Sexual Favors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: August 27, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] August 27, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown protected Montanans by permanently revoking the insurance producer license of Laine Kendall Callahan, a Kalispell bail bondsman accused of exploiting people under his supervision, including allegedly trading services for sexual favors. Brown’s office began investigating Callahan … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Joins Land Board Colleagues in Approving More Than $400,000 in New Revenue for Montana Schools at August Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: August 17, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] August 17, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor James Brown joined his Land Board colleagues in approving more than $400,000 in new revenue for schools across the Treasure State at the group’s August meeting. The Montana Constitution entrusts Auditor Brown and other Land Board members … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Protects Public Safety by Suspending License of Kalispell Bail Bondsman Accused of Exploiting People Under His Supervision, Trading Services for Sexual Favors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: August 4, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] August 4, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown acted in the interest of public safety by suspending the insurance producer license of a Kalispell bail bondsman accused of exploiting people under his supervision, including trading his services for sexual favors. In January 2026, Auditor … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Informs Montanans About Fraud Warning Signs, Resources as Part of State Elder Justice Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 27, 2026Contact: Ethan [email protected] July 27, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — State Auditor James Brown delivered a presentation on elder fraud and abuse as part of the Montana Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Summit, held in Kalispell on July 22. Older Montanans are frequently targeted by perpetrators of financial abuse and … Read more