Helena, Mont.-Today, Commissioner Troy Downing announced that District Court Judge Leslie Halligan has ordered Western Title and Escrow (WTE) into liquidation. The order follows a 2022 ruling that placed the company, owned by Julie Leary, into receivership. Any person or company who believes they may have a claim against WTE or Julie Leary as the … Read more
163 Montanans Invested Over $3 Million Helena, Mont.- State Auditor and Securities Commissioner Troy Downing announced today that investors who purchased retail precious metals from Lear Capital are eligible for compensation as a part of Lear’s bankruptcy plan. Montana and other state regulators investigated Lear for deceptive securities and commodities activities and misleading marketing at the … Read more
12 Stops Through Eastern Montana August 21-25 Helena, Mont.- On August 21, Commissioner Troy Downing kicks off the Protecting the Big Sky educational tour in eastern Montana to educate investors, Montana families, seniors, and consumers on safeguarding their finances. The Commissioner and CSI staff are hosting 12 events across eastern Montana over five days. These educational … Read more
Rosebud County Insurance and Hagadone’s License Revoked Helena, Mont.-On July 12, 2023, Commissioner Troy Downing secured an Order of Final Injunction permanently barring Kileen Hagadone and her business, Rosebud County Insurance, Inc. (RCII), from conducting any type of insurance business in Montana. The Order of Final Injunction further prohibits Hagadone and RCII from any banking … Read more
Helena, Mont.-Today, State Auditor and Securities Commissioner Troy Downing announced a $13 million settlement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., resulting from an investigation into the company’s practices of charging unreasonable commissions to retail customers on small-dollar transactions. The multi-state investigation, spearheaded by the Montana Commissioner of Securities and … Read more
Helena, Mont.- In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, Commissioner Troy Downing reminds Montanans to be vigilant of investment scams targeting seniors. The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is charged with protecting Montana investors from financial scams – the majority of these are perpetrated against our senior population. “Nearly every senior … Read more
‘Regulatory Sandbox’ Allows Insurers to Offer New Products or Services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ethan Heverlyeheverly@safemt.gov or (406) 544-8287 HELENA, MT—Montana State Fund (MSF), the state’s largest and leading workers’ compensation insurance company, announced the signing of House Bill 836 (Rep. K. Zolnikov—Billings) on Wednesday. HB836, creates a ‘regulatory sandbox’ in which property and casualty … Read more
Helena, Mont.- Following a string of high-profile crimes committed by bounty hunters in Montana, Commissioner Troy Downing’s legislation to protect Montanans by putting sideboards around fugitive recovery agents is now law. House Bill 62, carried by Representative Bill Mercer (R-Billings), creates standards and qualifications for bounty hunters requiring them to license as surety insurance producers. “Bounty … Read more
Scam Affecting Senior Citizens in Montana Helena, Mont.- Commissioner Troy Downing released the following statement regarding a phishing scam affecting senior citizens in Montana: “In the past five days, CSI’s Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) received multiple complaints regarding a phishing and cryptocurrency scam targeting senior citizens in the Bozeman area. The victims receive a pop-up … Read more
SB49 Facilitates Competitive Bidding in Cabin Site Sales Helena, Mont.- On Monday, Senate Bill 49, sponsored by Commissioner Troy Downing and carried by Senator Mike Cuffe was signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte. This bill revises the sale of cabin sites on state trust lands to facilitate competitive bidding. “As a member of the … Read more