"More than two hundred years ago, prospectors flocked to what we now call the Treasure State in search of fortunes," said Lindeen. "Though Montana's prospector days are long behind us, we have a new brand of gold diggers who prey on our trust in search of fortunes. Modern day gold diggers are scammers and con-artists who can steal a life savings in the blink of an eye."
"Education is the silver bullet when it comes to fighting fraud," said Lindeen. "The more Montanans know about their rights and where they can turn for help, the better they can protect themselves from modern day gold diggers."
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However further investigation reveals that these free dinners are being held all over Montana. In addition to the dinner in Havre Lindeen’s State of Montana webpage lists 16 additional free feeds to be held over the next couple of months.
Everyone better call our local republican representatives and let them know they are dead wrong when they say money is tight and we need to hold the line on spending. Apparently they have money to burn so let’s all think of some great project for Havre so we can get in on spending some of these surpluses before they are all used up buying everybody campaign dinners around the State. Maybe we need one of those duck ponds in Pepin Park like they have in Great Falls? Or what about a doggie day care? Surely something will come to mind.
**Update April 25 – Aaron Flint over at Northern Ag Network has posted a related story complete with an interview with Monica Lindeen’s Communication Director Lucas Hamilton. Hear the recording of the interview here
Did they post this ad at the soup kitchen? I bet they would like a little better fare and it is free.
ReplyDeleteThat is who should be getting these meals
I am up for a dinner and a movie. We might even get some government popcorn and a soda
ReplyDeleteYou need additional selections on your reactions choices for stories like this one.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one or two of these?
Unbelievable
Shameful
Boo
Disgusting
Wasteful
Sickening
Preposterous
Laughable
Unbelievable
Ridiculous
It isn’t only the money for the dinner. Don’t forget the salary and expense of the people traveling around showing this. Why didn’t they just make a hundred copies of the documentary on DVD and mail them to every Senior Center to show?
ReplyDeleteWaste and busywork like this says we have too many state employees
How will Montana Securities and Insurance Commissioner Monica Lindeen accommodate those who only eat kosher or halal?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a discrimination lawsuit in the making Walter. I doubt the Elks is handicap accessible either but don’t be causing any problems to get this cancelled before I eat the free meal. I hope there is free alcohol
ReplyDeleteAt least they had the good sense to serve beef when coming to cow country. I bet they are having Ho-HOs for dessert
ReplyDeleteFrom today's Tribune:
ReplyDeleteJUICY MOVIE
The Havre Daily Corrector blog griped Wednesday about a free prime rib meal being offered by Monica Lindeen, state commissioner of securities and insurance, before the showing of a film on investment fraud called “Gold Diggers.” The free meal will be May 3 at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Havre; other showings are scheduled around the state.
The Corrector pontificated: “Obviously the state budget is large enough to forget the old peanut butter and jelly sandwich if they can afford to spread around prime rib dinners like there will be no tomorrow.”
“This is not taxpayer money paying for the dinners,” replied Lucas Hamilton, communications director for Lindeen. Instead, the money came from a nonprofit group, the Investor Protection Trust, which receives its money from criminals who either voluntarily donate to the trust or do so by court order, Hamilton said.
He said the state received a $28,000 grant from the trust, to cover production of the documentary and 16 events around the state, with dinner costs included.
It’s not the state paying for dinners in Havre. It’s criminals who have ripped people off.
The Daily Corrector by mid-Thursday had yet to give the state agency’s side of the story directly, although it noted the Northern Ag Network interviewed Hamilton. Often it’s too much trouble for bloggers to actually check out the facts behind what they are whining about.
What’s the fun in that?
What " Gee guy" isn't telling you is that this " trust" is funded with taxpayer dollars. So the auditor sends state money to the trust, then the trust "grants" it back to h auditor. Does anyone believe that means its no longer state money? Ha!
DeleteMy second point is about he subject matter of this video. It's a blatant promotional piece to help Monica Lindeen campaign. But guess who appears most in the video? That's right, her attorney --democrat Jesse Laslovich --who is running for attorney general. This would be a big story for some enterprising reporter -- if their are any left.
Here are some questions the reporter should ask:
1 who funds the "Inverstor Protection Trust"
2 how much money has te auditors office sent this entity?
3 how much has been sent to it since Lindeen took office?
4 how much more since Laslovich came on staff?
5- what is the dollar value of the screen time Lindeen and Laslovich appear in the movie-- if hey had had to purchase it in campaign ads of 30 seconds each?
Please excuse the typos- not quite used to having no keyboard .
DeleteThanks Gee Guy
ReplyDeleteWe have taken The Tribune’s advice and presented another article about this campaign trip being held under the guise of investment fraud education. I hope both sides of the story are adequately represented this time around.