Montana jail plan on hold after revelations about lead figure’s past – Director of Two Rivers Authority Resigns

Officials in this remote Montana town have placed plans for a California company to take over a never-used, $27 million jail on hold.

The Hardin economic development authority’s decision to step back from an agreement with the newly minted American Police Force, of Santa Ana, Calif., came as town leaders on Monday announced the resignation of both the attorney and the economic development official who helped craft the jail deal for the city.

The decision also follows revelations that Mike Hilton, the lead figure of the American Police Force, has a history of fraud that includes several years in jail and three civil judgments against him for more than $1.1 million.

Hardin, Montana http://www.hardinmt.com/

Detention Center: http://www.tworiversauthority.org/De … Center.html

American Police Force http://www.americanpolicegroup.com/

By: MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.sfexaminer.com/nation/ap/63583967.html

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Smith formally quits as director of TRA

ED KEMMICK Of The Gazette Staff

The director of Two Rivers Authority, who was placed on paid leave last month two days after announcing that the agency had signed a contract to fill the empty Hardin jail, formally resigned Monday.

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_14ab8848-b23c-11de-9b7f-001cc4c03286.html