Montana AG launches probe of jail deal (Hardin and the American Police Force )

Missoulian ^ | Thursday, October 1, 2009 6:45 pm | MATTHEW BROWN

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

In this Friday, Sept. 24, 2009 picture, Albert Peterson with the Two Rivers Authority stands outside an empty jail that Hardin, Mont. built for $27 million. The authority wants a California security company, American Police Force, to take over the facility. Michael Hilton pitched himself to the city as a military veteran turned private sector entrepreneur - a California defense contractor with extensive government contracts who promised to turn the rural city's empty jail into a cash cow. But now a much different picture of Hilton is emerging from public documents and interviews with his associates and legal adversaries. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

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Montana's attorney general launched an investigation Thursday into a California company that wants to take over an empty jail in the rural city of Hardin, following revelations that the company's lead figure is a convicted felon with a history of fraud.

Michael Hilton, who formed Santa Ana, Calif.-based American Police Force in March, came to Hardin last month promising to fill the city's never-used jail and build a large military and law enforcement training center.

Hilton has a decades-long track record of fraudulent activities and spent several years in a California prison on grand theft charges. A native of Montenegro, he uses at least 17 aliases.

Citing "significant concerns" about the city's dealings with American Police Force, Attorney General Steve Bullock asked Hardin economic development officials to produce by Oct. 12 all documents related to their dealings with the company.

His office made a similar demand of American Police Force, including information that would back up Hilton's claims of multiple defense contracts with the U.S government and other agencies.

[Spunky]

It does appear that there is a lot of politics going on here. Article from May 2009.

Consultant proposes big prison for Billings

[liberty or death]

This same Gov was seeking nearly 1000 beds a short time ago. Of course he wanted to build a “new prison”. Hello! Your state already has an empty one but it’s in a county that votes (R) which means ???

[blam]

“Just the facts, Ma’am. I want nothing but the facts.”

Just The facts

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

So you believe this guy Hilton is legit?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

**************************EXCERPT from your link***********************

MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press | Posted: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:00 am |

A consultant to the Montana Department of Corrections is recommending construction of a $371 million prison in the Billings area to handle a projected increase in the state's inmate population.

Preliminary plans call for an 1,800-bed facility - slightly larger than the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

It would hold all classes of prisoners, from burglars to murderers. Both male and female inmates would be held there, although in separate parts of a complex that would cover at least 245 acres.

A precise location has not been proposed.

A governor-appointed advisory council is scheduled to decide today whether to forward the idea to Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Also under consideration is a $176 million, 1,781-bed expansion of lower-security community correction programs, such as prerelease centers.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See the updates above.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See above.

[liberty or death]

I have no opinion on him as of yet. The left wing media has used him as a wedge to stop this on behalf of the Dems.

Montana needs 1000 new beds today. Why does our Dem Governor insist on looking outside of Hardin? Answer, we did not vote for him.

APF is a side issue.

[liberty or death]

Perfect point. The money boys and politicians of Billings do not want to see Hardin, their Bighorn river playground become too expensive because of property values. This plan illustrates that point and the fact that our local media is in lock step is just plain frightening.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hmmm.....OK....sounds like the Dems are doing some dirty dealing.

[liberty or death]

Nothing new.

[FreeStateYank]

245 acres? What are they going to do there, build an adjuct Gov’t Motors shop to ‘train’ pre-release inmates.

Something stinks.

[Smokin' Joe]

We here are sick of it and to see what goes on here on my favorite news site “Free Republic” so far saddens me

How about the rest of the story? We do that here, too.

[Grampa Dave]

Isn’t the internet wonderful.

A decade ago, this bs operation could have happened and no one would be the wiser until later when the scam artist walked away with millions, leaving the city in more debt and locals unemployed again.

This reminds me of the taped videos of Acorn Thugs in action with “Hooker and her Pimp”, and the quick response after those visuals went from Beck to websites and around the world.

Even the AP and LA Slimes did some real investigating on the scam artist and his checkered past.

[Grampa Dave]

Get your side of the story out on FR and other sites.

[Grampa Dave]

“This same Gov was seeking nearly 1000 beds a short time ago. Of course he wanted to build a “new prison”. Hello! Your state already has an empty one but it’s in a county that votes (R) which means ???”

Building a new pri$on is big buck$ for local developer$, land owner$, and union construction thug$. All of these people contribute heavy $’s to the political party that enabled the new pri$on to be built.

When the new prison$ are built, they big Buck$ for the union$ which provide the guards and other people, probably SEIU to handle things guards don’t do. Then, these union thug$ will contribute heavily to the rats who enabled the prison to be built. They will be paid back with outrageous wages, benefits and early retirement.

So the last thing left wing governors and legislator$ want to do is put a new prison into a conservative area.

Of course the last thing the Montana Progressively Liberal Mediots (PLM) would do is point out that there is a new prison vacant and ready for prisoners.

[af_vet_rr]

I have no opinion on him as of yet.

How can you not have an opinion on the guy? He's scammed a lot of people out of a lot of money, he's got 15 or so aliases, he's a felon.

Hell, just the fact that he's a convicted felon from Europe, is that what you want running that jail?

[liberty or death]

2 sides to every story. It kills me to read all of you “Free Republic Conservatives” pile on to left wing media when it suits your agenda. I have no opinion because since I work 7 days a week 14 hours a day I don’t sit on the internet all day and have not had the time to check the guy out.

But! here you go af from ground zero. Hardin Montana is an Indian Shithole. I live on the Bighorn outside of town and do all of my shopping in Billings. If this guy is everything you say he is he will fit in perfectly with our pedophile rapist of an Indian sherrif. Since he is Indian not a damn thing is done even with a “Mountain” of proof.

APF cannot ruin a town that is a -5. If he brings in up to a Zero then that’s a 5 fold improvement.

[af_vet_rr]

I have no opinion because since I work 7 days a week 14 hours a day I don’t sit on the internet all day and have not had the time to check the guy out.

The guy has a bunch of aliases and a felony record. There are people looking for him to get their money back. There's not much else to check out.

But! here you go af from ground zero. Hardin Montana is an Indian Shithole. I live on the Bighorn outside of town and do all of my shopping in Billings.

If Hardin is as bad as you describe it, are you honestly surprised they would do something like this? From your description as well as the description of others, I really wonder how they got $27 million in funding for that thing. Actually if Montana has as many liberals as people say they do, I can see them selling the public on yet another wasteful government boondoggle like a $27 million jail with no prisoners.