State Auditor Troy Downing has demanded answers from a cryptocurrency company with a bitcoin mining center in Columbia Falls accused of operating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. VBit Technologies is accused of selling unregistered securities, …
THE OFFICE OF THE MONTANA STATE AUDITOR, COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES AND INSURANCE | 840 HELENA AVE. | HELENA, MT | 59601
A cryptocurrency company with a bitcoin mining center in Columbia Falls is facing multiple class-action lawsuits alleging that it defrauded millions of dollars from thousands of investors in a “massive Ponzi scheme.” Class-action lawsuits alleging …
A bill designed to rein in rogue bail bond agents and “Wild West” tactics sometimes used to capture fugitives has passed the Montana House and is now before the Senate, where state Sen. Ryan Lynch likes its chances. “I think the Senate will see the same …
Mark Anthony Biegler Sentenced to Jail and Ordered to Pay Restitution Helena, Mont.- Commissioner Troy Downing announced today that former insurance agent Mark Anthony Biegler has been sentenced in the First Judicial District Court of Lewis and Clark …
Former insurance agent Mark Anthony Biegler was sentenced Wednesday to 90 days in jail with a 10-year suspended prison sentence for pleading guilty to six felony charges of insurance fraud and theft in 1st Judicial District Court of Lewis and Clark County, …
In response to a bounty hunt that turned tragically fatal in Butte and other incidents, a state official wants lawmakers to rein in rogue bail bond agents and “Wild West” tactics sometimes used to nab fugitives. Troy Downing, Montana’s auditor and …
CSI Seeking to Identify Montana Investors in Interest-Bearing Crypto Accounts Helena, Mont.- Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Troy Downing announced today that a settlement in principle has been reached between Nexo Capital, Inc. (Nexo), the SEC, …
THE OFFICE OF THE MONTANA STATE AUDITOR, COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES AND INSURANCE | 840 HELENA AVE. | HELENA, MT | 59601
After two years as your Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, I still smile every morning when I walk into the office. I am proud of the work we do to protect consumers, educate Montanans, and serve the people of this great state. From top to …
JULY 2, 2021 “Independence Day Weekend is ahead of us, which means many Montanans will be utilizing our expansive public lands to camp, hike, fish, and recreate. This is Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing. Over the long and unusually warm weekend, please …
JUNE 21, 2021 “Montana is expecting an above-normal fire season. High temperatures, drought, and heavy fuel loads in our forests are critical factors in the unseasonably large number of fires we’ve experienced over the last few weeks. The fires have …
JUNE 14, 2021 “This is Commissioner Troy Downing. Lumber prices are at all-time highs. Consumer prices surged 5% last month, the fastest in over a decade. Everything is getting more expensive, but few Montanans know this means your insurance coverage may …
JUNE 8, 2021 “Unlicensed and untrained agents using high-pressure sales techniques and intentionally misleading information are selling poor-quality health plans to Montanans. This is Commissioner of Insurance Troy Downing. Purchasing a health plan that …
MAY 11, 2021 Dozens of multi-level marketing companies operate in our State, but only around ten are properly filed with our agency. To simplify, a multi-level marketing company or MLM is a company where you sell products to a network of customers who …
MAY 5, 2021 “COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and the right thing to do. This is Troy Downing, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, the Montana State Auditor. Last week, I received my first COVID-19 vaccination. I’m asking you to join me in …
APRIL 28, 2021 “This is Commissioner Troy Downing. Have you ever been the victim of an automobile accident and had the other driver’s insurance company partially blame you for the accident and require you to pay part of the claim? Assigning liability …
APRIL 28, 2021 “This is Commissioner Downing. In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, our agency is sponsoring a legislative study bill to better understand the extent of elder exploitation in our state and what can be done through …
APRIL 28, 2021 “This is Commissioner Troy Downing. Last week, Governor Gianforte signed multiple pieces of legislation sponsored by our agency into law. Among them was House bill 379, allowing insurance companies to use gender and marital status when …
Beginning January 1, physicians, hospitals, and air ambulances will no longer be able to “balance bill” patients for certain care outside of their insurance company’s network. Surprise billing occurs when a patient receives care from a healthcare provider …
