AG Drops Investigation

Tools

By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Oct 15, 2009 at 5:32 AM MST

Story Updated: Oct 15, 2009 at 5:32 AM MST

BILLINGS - Montana's Attorney General dropped his investigation in to California-based security company American Police Force Tuesday.

A statement released by Montana's Attorney General Steve Bullock said the goal was to guarantee that, "No Montanans were taken advantage of or conned by this company."

Since Michael Hilton and APF ended plans to do business in the state, Bullock's office decided to suspend its inquiry. Officials asked APF to release documents about their funding, current contracts and corporate backing. APF did not provide these documents.

Spokeswoman Becky Shay said the company faxed the AG a one-page letter saying APF did no business in Montana other than to negotiate the jail contract, which they discontinued.

Bullock's statement concludes, "Mr. Hilton's failure to answer these simple questions about his company speaks volumes about his company's legitimacy."


Previous Related Stories:
Oct 13, 2009 - AG Drops Investigation
Oct 12, 2009 - Document Deadline
Oct 12, 2009 - Hardin Jail Audit
Oct 11, 2009 - Attorney General Request From APF
Oct 9, 2009 - APF Pulls Out
Oct 9, 2009 - Two Rivers Submit Documents
Oct 9, 2009 - APF Had Planned Police Services
Oct 9, 2009 - Corplan Corrections
Oct 8, 2009 - Hardin Bonds
Oct 7, 2009 - APF Investor Speaks
Oct 7, 2009 - Governor Reaction to APF
Oct 7, 2009 - Glenn Beck Talks About APF
Oct 6, 2009 - Michael Hilton Scams Victims
Oct 6, 2009 - Smith's Letter
Oct 6, 2009 - Gathering Documents
Oct 5, 2009 - APF Legal Issues
Oct 5, 2009 - TRA Board to Seek Legal Counsel
Oct 5, 2009 - Security Official Had No Knowledge of Position
Oct 4, 2009 - Changes to APF Website, Contract
Oct 4, 2009 - More Legal Issues for APF
Oct 2, 2009 - Emotional Press Conference
Oct 2, 2009 - APF Concerns Citizens
Oct 1, 2009 - APF Founder Has Criminal Background
Oct 1, 2009 - APF's Newest Employee
Oct 1, 2009 - APF & Hardin Constitution Violations
Sep 16, 2009 - Hardin Jail Contract Questions

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

A. Patriot said on Monday, Oct 26 at 2:55 PM

Impersonating an officer is a crime. How can the attorney general just drop it? I guess it's OK in Montana to go around impersonating an officer these days, especially in Hardin, MT!!!!! Wake up, people. You need a new attorney general! You need one who will uphold the law!

forley said on Thursday, Oct 22 at 2:35 AM

Stinks like a coverup by the AG office to protect the APF parent company. APF has never revealed the name of it's moneymen. Now it sounds like Hilton and APF backed out rather than disclose the name of the parent company to the AG and the AG let them get away with it because of the risk of PUBLIC disclosure. The people must never find out what is being planned against them and by whom. Remember foreign mercenaries running fema camps in the US is just crazy conspiracy nonsense.

Randall said on Saturday, Oct 17 at 5:53 AM

I would like to congratulate all Montanans for freeing their own State from this invader. You shown courage, tenacity, intelligence and remarkable restraint. To the AG of Montana I ask; Who now owns you, and for how long have you been licking their hand? You dog. Shame on you for showing your cowardice, but now the People know who and what you are. For those around the Country who have not experienced this first hand; This will be coming to a town or city near you, next. Be ready.

Sword of Damocles said on Friday, Oct 16 at 9:29 PM

If people honorarily in positions of power like Steve Bullock did their job, and stood up for what is right (which is the real law by the way, not all of this subversive tyrannical garbage) perhaps we wouldn't have a slew of traitors running amuck executing all sorts of grand crimes freely and without punishment.

Elias Alias said on Thursday, Oct 15 at 3:00 AM

Uhm, how's about: "conspiracy to commit a crime"? We scared the big bad wolf away from the door, so we don't need to go hunt him down anymore, right? Good grief! Impersonating a police officer is a crime, and for two days, in broad daylight, this company impersonated police officers in Hardin, Montana. Conspiracy can be investigated and prosecuted prior to the commission of a crime. Someone is pressuring someone in high places.

cue_daddy06 said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 8:29 PM

"No Montanans were taken advantage of or conned by this company." ??? BS! This snake is slithering into a hole in your yard. You need to grab its tail, pull the thing out, and stamp on its head because it will only emerge from underground with its children.

TreeTop007 said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 6:40 PM

Impersonating a Police Officer, or even a 'Police Force' is not a crime??? And what's a small town, who doesn't even have a Police Department, doing building a 27 million Dollar jail? Put that jail to use by locking up the Bankers, lawyers, politicians, and Attorney General himself for covering it up.

FreeinTX said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 5:09 PM

According to the article, "A statement released by Montana's Attorney General Steve Bullock said the goal was to guarantee that, "No Montanans were taken advantage of or conned by this company."" What about a MULTIPLE FELON showing up in your town with Mercedes SUV's marked POLICE, buying members of the media, and negotiating deals with the local government? All that and noone was conned? BS!!! He's covering up something!

CONCERNED said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 4:49 PM

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, THIS STORY RUNS MUCH DEEPER THAN A PRIVATE FRAUD SCANDAL, IT WAS A GOVERNEMENT OWNED PRISON...FOLLOW THE MONEY AND FIND THE CORRUPTION. THIS IS DEEPER THAN LOCAL POLITICS

Gary Schnell said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 4:02 PM

No thanks at all to the AG of Montana. But my hat is off to you folks of that beautiful state.It's like I have been saying for to long now, the only way change will come is through the people not the de facto corrupt government. God save the Republic!

David Nelson said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 3:10 PM

Does this legal theory mean that, if I merely NEGOTIATE to cook up some methamphetamine or NEGOTIATE to rob a bank, Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock won't care?!? Brilliant!

Rick said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 3:07 PM

According to earlier stories from this news station, there were people who invested in the project. Has their money been returned? If not, why was the investigation stopped? Why did the AG drop the ball?

gravel kucinich paul nader said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 1:29 PM

Extortion blackmail bribery.

Prosecutor Jane said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 12:41 PM

The fact APF ATTEMPTED to conduct business in Montana is a crime. Under all modern criminal law systems, the inchoate crime of ATTEMPT is still a crime. The fact APF Attempted to conduct business is still a violation of Montana law. Keep calling the AG's office until they prosecute it.

Mr. Do RIght said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 11:25 AM

The AG has acted properly here, his office made the determination that the threat of fraud to the citizens of Montana, by this outfit has been nullified. We should thank the AG for his prompt attention to the matter when he was notified of the potential situation of fraud in Hardin. Good job sir!

Arklight said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 11:22 AM

All right, who's DHS's bagman in Montana? Shay, good luck getting your job back. Sarah, good job so far, keep pulling the thread and the fabric will unravel; follow the money. Best wishes to you going forward.

IdentityCrisis said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 10:13 AM

Stay on them, they will appear in another state. All those who are in positions to do something about it, will invariably go down with them eventually!

Guy said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 9:26 AM

Let's give a "BIG" thank you to the media on this issue! Many citizens called and wrote to our elected officials whom stood on the sidelines and watched instead of getting involved early to inquire of this company’s legitimacy.

ballsniff said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 6:42 AM

this is a blackwater front group! expose it! someone!

watchmann said on Wednesday, Oct 14 at 5:31 AM

they are all lying and the attorney general is covering his a-- because he was most likely threatened to back off OR-ELSE.

clipstein said on Tuesday, Oct 13 at 9:18 PM

It is sad--keep going with the investigation. If you or I had pulled this stunt--you know where we would be!!!!!!

Anonymous said on Tuesday, Oct 13 at 8:44 PM

I think the AG was hushed and told not to pursue the investigation from higher ups, who's to say who there funding was coming from...I think something is fishy here ! All of a sudden there calling it off that just seems a bit off to me !

tatnonymous said on Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7:17 PM

I totally agree with you Matilda! I believe that because obiviously they hired Becky Shay and possibly a few others here in Montana to work for them, they have set-up shop, and Becky Shay and whomever else they may have within their ranks from Montana are all as guilty as Hilton and APF. I also believe that the AG should keep their investigation going so that he may be able to stop this company and Hilton from trying this ploy with others.

Matilda said on Tuesday, Oct 13 at 6:55 PM

The fact that Mr. Bullock and State of Montana is dropping the investigation of American Police Force and Michael Hilton is sad. This con man came to Montana in an attempt to steal from this state, and to maliciously do business with a fraudulent intent. The Attorney General’s office stated they are not going to pursue American Police Force or Michael Hilton, which is odd, because APF has set up an office in the state and have hired a person, Becky Shay, so they really have set up shop here!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 31.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Southeast at
5.8 mph
Humidity : 67 %
Pressure : 30.41 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Links We Like