Press Release

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 HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov 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 HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov 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

Montana Auditor James Brown Announces Second Insurance Company Impacted by Obamacare Fraud Scheme Targeting Native Communities, $5 Million in Unsupported Payments Already Stopped

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 21, 2026Contact: Ethan HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov July 21, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown helped to stop more than $5 million in unsupported payouts by Mountain Health Co-Op, a second health insurer impacted by an Obamacare fraud scheme previously exposed by the Auditor’s … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Joins Land Board Colleagues in Approving More Than $229,000 in New Revenue for Montana Schools at July Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 20, 2026Contact: Ethan HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov July 20, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor James Brown joined his Land Board colleagues in approving more than $229,000 in new revenue for schools across the Treasure State at the group’s July meeting. The Montana Constitution entrusts Auditor Brown and other Land Board members … Read more

Auditor James Brown’s Team Prevents More Than $1 Million in Fraud-Related Losses for Montanans in Second Quarter of 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 16, 2026Contact: Ethan HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov July 16, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor James Brown and his team helped to prevent more than $1 million in fraud-related losses for Montanans in the second quarter of 2026, bringing the total amount of losses prevented this year to more than $2 million. … Read more

Commissioner James Brown Saves Montanans More Than $18 Million From July 2025 to June 2026 by Denying Unjustified Insurance Rate Increases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 6, 2026Contact: Ethan HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov July 6, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown saved Montanans more than $18 million in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 by denying unjustified insurance rate increases, helping to keep insurance affordable for hardworking Montana families. Commissioner Brown’s actions saved 127,855 Montana insurance … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Announces Program Incentivizing Multi-Level Marketing Companies Operating Unlawfully in Montana to File Notices, Pay Reduced Fines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: July 2, 2026Contact: Ethan HolmesEthan.Holmes@mt.gov July 2, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown launched a new, short-term program incentivizing multi-level marketing companies (MLMs) operating unlawfully in the state to file required notices and pay reduced fines. MLMs distribute products or services through … Read more

Commissioner James Brown Secures Nearly $60,000 in Additional Funding for Montana Securities Fraud Restitution Fund Through Enforcement Settlements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: June 24, 2026Contact: Tyler NewcombeTyler.Newcombe@mt.gov June 24, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced that due to a series of enforcement settlements reached with entities that failed to properly file required notices of business activity in Montana, some $60,000 has been added in 2026 to … Read more

State Auditor James Brown Joins Fellow Statewide Officials at June Land Board Meeting in Approving Over $1 Million in New Revenue for Montana Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: June 15, 2026Contact: Tyler NewcombeTyler.Newcombe@mt.gov June 15, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Auditor James Brown joined his State Land Board colleagues to review and approve multiple projects benefiting the state’s trust beneficiaries and public institutions. The June Land Board meeting highlighted key initiatives generating an estimated $1,086,443 in revenues for the people of … Read more

Montana Auditor James Brown Commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: June 15, 2026Contact: Tyler NewcombeTyler.Newcombe@mt.gov June 15, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HELENA, Mont. — Montana Auditor James Brown commemorates June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This day serves as an opportunity to shine a light on the all-too-common mistreatment and exploitation of senior citizens by criminal actors. The World Health Organization defines … Read more