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Nathan
Big Sky Guy
USA
21551 Posts |
 Posted - 04/20/2010 : 16:09:15
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CorruptionInBillings.com
MikeSpini.com
The following is my report on an incident that happened to me on 22 January, 2010. While my criticisms of the public officials in question are my opinions (with a touch of satire which is protected free speech!) the details of the incident are 100% accurate. Every resident of Billings should be aware of what their city government officials are out there doing, and that is why I have taken on this expensive effort.
Hello,
I am a 40 year old business owner (Bighorn Refrigeration and Bighorn Tactical) living a typical middle-class life in Billings Montana with my family. I contribute to the Billings economy through employing other people. I pay my property and income taxes. I do not attend church, but I do live my life by a very strict moral code that I hold dear. I live within the law so that I do not find myself on the wrong end of the law; this apparently means nothing to the Billings Fire Department.
I am employed by a large commercial property to maintain and repair all capital equipment (heating/cooling, refrigeration, dishwashing equipment, etc.). After a recent flood (caused by clogged plumbing drains) the fire alarm in this particular property was deemed unservicable by the Billings Fire Department and a replacement system was ordered. I am not licensed to replace fire equipment on a building of this size, so another contractor was hired for this job. After construction began on a replacement system the contractor in question tripled the agreed upon price. Since the owner of the property in question is an out of state corporation I served to relay information from the owners to the Fire Department and from the Fire Department to the owners. Understand that at no time did I ever have any authority what-so-ever to make any decisions on this entire project. This is a critical aspect; please keep this in mind as you read the rest of this report. My only job in regards to the fire alarm was to relay status information back and forth and make recommendations when asked for them. I am a simple employee of the owners of this property. I have never had any authority to authorize any such decisions or sign any contracts. In addition, when the Billings Fire Department ordered a new alarm system they also ordered a fire watch program requiring the owners of the property to impliment a dedicated fire watch that was to walk the property 24/7. At that time, when going over the fire watch paperwork, I informed the Assistant Fire Marshal that I would not list my name as the responsible party because I am not responsible for this property. This is another key point to remember.
After the hired contractor literally tripled the previously agreed upon price (blaming the Billings Fire Department for changing their requirements) the out-of-state owners understandably brought in an out-of-state engineering firm to ensure the contractor was conducting honest business. The Billings Fire Department, offended that their authority was dare questioned (apparently they consider it perfectly acceptable for a contractor to triple his quote and you aren't supposed to question it!), imposed a deadline on the property owners requiring them to have a new signed contract on the installation by Jan 21, 2010. The owners were indeed making an honest good faith effort to get the system replaced; they simply needed time to adequately research code requirements so the hired engineers could compile all data prior to making their recommendations.
When the deadline passed I was contacted by Fire Marshal Mike "RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!" Spini and his lap-dog, sycophant Deputy Fire Marshal Trever Schilling. Since the owners and all levels of management capable of authorizing a $300,000 alarm installation are on the east coast, they asked to meet with me. I agreed to meet with them (Jan 22, 2010), and reported to them that the owners stated work will begin in five business days. I expected them to be pleased with the progress or at the worst possibly issue a punitive fine against the property owners. To my surprise however, Fire Marshal Mike "DON'T YOU DARE QUESTION MY AUTHORITAH!" Spini informed me that he was charging me personally with a misdemeanor (failure to comply with international fire code). Keep in mind that I am not an owner, stockholder, or in any way responsible for the liabilities of this property. I am a simple employee of this property, with no authority what-so-ever to authorize any such repairs or upgrades. I once again informed both Fire Marshal Mike "NO, REALLY, I AM VERY IMPORTANT" Spini and lap-dog, sycophant Deputy Fire Marshal Trever Schilling that I am not a responsible party for the property. In typical dictatorial fashion, Fire Marshal Mike "I AM GOVERNMENT, YOU MUST OBEY ME!" Spini demanded my identification. I informed him that I did not feel legally obligated to hand over my identification on demand (despite what some may believe, this is not Nazi Germany!) and informed him that I wished to simply call and ask my attorney first what the extent of my obligation is. Lap-dog sycophant Deputy Fire Marshal Trever Schilling seemed to squirm in his seat in excitement over the expectation of lowering the big government hammer on a perfectly law abiding citizen, but didn't appear to have too much to say. Fire Marshal Mike "OBEY, CONFORM!" Spini on the other hand, turned red in the face with anger. While not screaming, he certainly raised his voice as he loudly exclaimed that he was calling the Billings Police Department on me (I'm surprised that he didn't order me to stand in the corner!) and he and his lap-dog left the room. I finally reached my attorney on the phone and he advised me to go ahead and show my ID, accept the citation, and he assured me that we would work this out on Monday (the criminal charge against me, as well as filing a civil action against the Fire Department for knowingly charging an innocent person).
Ten minutes passed when a Billings Police Officer entered the room. For the record the Billings Police Officer was 100% professional. He stood in the back of the room and didn't speak. At this point, lap-dog sycophant Deputy Fire Marshal Trever Schilling and Fire Marshal Mike "I REALLY HOPE I INTIMIDATE YOU!" Spini entered the room. Fire Marshal Mike "I'M SO DANG IMPORTANT THEY WOULD CLOSE THE CITY WITHOUT ME!" Spini stated rather aggressively "now, let's try this again". On the advice of my attorney I handed over my identification to lap-dog sycophant Deputy Fire Marshal Trever Schilling who asked me if the information was current. Apparently lap-dog sycophant Deputy Fire Marshal Trever Schilling suffers from a hearing impairment, as he again asked me if I still live at the address listed on my identification. I accepted the citation and both slithered their way out of the building. I did not thank the police officer for his professionalism, but should have. At least some in Billings only want justice served while others only want to lord over us "lowly" citizens with the big arm of government.
Instead of recognizing the efforts made by the property owners, Fire Marshal Mike "I SHOULD BE ON MT. RUSHMORE" Spini got his ego bruised and in an effort to force compliance on an out-of-state property owner he knowingly charged a 100% innocent person who has no authority to authorize repairs on the system to begin with. If this isn't government corruption I don't know what is! When you are given the public trust you cannot make up the rules as you go along. You don't knowingly charge an innocent person with a crime in an effort to force compliance on a large east coast corporation! Having knowingly and willingly charged someone with a crime when he knows they are innocent at the very least suggests a gross lack of character. I don't know how anybody can respect him anymore, and I don't know how he can live with the decisions he has made. "Mike", you are in my opinion dirty and you are a disgrace to those firemen who do serve honorably. You are defecating on the nobility that the Fire Department is supposed to represent and all because you put your ego ahead of your own sense of right and wrong.
I am considering all options legally available to me; this is not over. The Billings Fire Department charged me with a crime despite knowing for fact that I was absolutely innocent. That the manager of the property in question claimed responsibility at the scene and offered at the time to take responsibility (as well as the citation) shows that Spini's actions were personal in nature (I had complained about him several years previously on an unrelated incident). That he would abuse the public trust in such a manner to settle a personal score clearly establishes his lack of credibility. My reputation was damaged; I will not sit back and allow this abuse to go unchallenged.
Update: 4/20/10
I was told the Assistant Fire Chief Frank Odermann wanted to meet with me to discuss this issue, so I agreed to meet on March 18th. I was expecting the Fire Department to apologize for this issue at which point I was going to drop it. Instead what I got was an explanation that Fire Marshal Mike "I'm King Of The World!" Spini was only "doing his job" (paraphrase of the bull run-around I got). I was also informed by Fire Marshal Mike "I Look At My Own Picture When I Touch Myself" Spini that in the future they would simply issue multiple citations until they find one that sticks. He actually believes he is doing a good job!
At this point I am simply waiting for the fire alarm installation to be complete. Once the fire alarm installation is complete (preventing any potential embarassment to the property in question) I will at that time move forward with my civil action against the City of Billings. I intend to publish the details of this incident in the local newspaper as well as on an interstate billboard that I have already leased. In the meantime, should they issue me an apology as well as change their policy of throwing around citations when they know the person in question is innocent I will drop the entire issue. I just do not see that happening however.
I don't know two things about Assistant Fire Chief Frank Odermann, but in all fairness our conversation was very professional; he represents the Fire Department very well unlike Fire Marshal Mike "Can't Touch This" Spini, who (while in front of his supervisor) sure had no problem faking a friendly face. I wish Assistant Fire Chief Odermann could have been there to see his dog go rabid. |
Nathan In Montana, carrying a Gen4 Glock 19 loaded with Federal 147 grain +P JHPs carried in a Galco King Tuk thats worn on a Wilderness Instructor's belt.
NRA Certified Instructor, Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol
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mattinglyt
Watchdog
USA
11937 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2010 : 20:24:41
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| It's amazing how officials think that they can do what they want when they want. There is way too much of this going around and "THE PEOPLE" are tired of it. People like Assistant Fire Chief Frank Odermann need to be smacked around a little (legally) and reminded that they don't have free reign and they actually work for "THE PEOPLE", not against them. |
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yankeejib
Advanced Member
USA
3033 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2010 : 20:38:57
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| God bless the bully pulpit :) Wave your freak flag high. |
Sincerely,
Professor Stu Padasol
"Doing what others find difficult is talent. Doing what others find impossible is genius."
"Why be difficult when with a little more effort, you can be entirely impossible."
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1250 feet per second.
God did not create all men equal, Sam Colt did.
"The next best thing to being clever is being able to quote someone who is."
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mattman
Private Pyle
180 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2010 : 21:34:42
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| This is absolutely absurd. Some people just can't handle the power they are given and unfortunately in the end tarnish the reputation and name of a good organization because of it. Nathan I commend you for not standing by and idling taking this. Someone has to stand up to abusive governmental powers. |
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
#8213; Dr. Seuss
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CodeJockey
Senior Member
USA
1282 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2010 : 21:38:07
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| Wow that is really absurd! Sorry you're having to go through this Nathan, but stick to your guns and fight them on this. If people would stand up to gross injustice like this more often, then perhaps our country could be turned around. It's ashame that people such as this Spini guy give firefighters a bad name! Most firefighter's I've met are honorable men who are true heroes. Keep us updated on how this turns out! |
Always watch your six!
NRA Life Member
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ridurall
Advanced Member
USA
6724 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2010 : 22:42:15
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| I've been a member of your forums for over 4 years and when I first heard how they bushwacked you I was so mad I made up my mind no hunting trips for me to Montania. To be charged and punished for a problem in a building that you have no interest in or even the ability to make decissions on is beyond a lack of brains and lack of common sense. This is terrible and there is no way they should have bushwacked you in this manner. In my dealings with you over the past almost 5 years I've only seen you as an honest person. This is so wrong and the culpret should have has job removed and he should be put in jail. I hope he is put in his place for this abuse of power. |
I'm Ron & I'm carrying Kimber Ultra Carry II In a Crossbreed IWB holster. NRA Life member since 1983.
"The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than live on his knees!" George Washington
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BePrepared
Advanced Member
USA
4949 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2010 : 18:26:14
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This is just a stunning abuse of governmental authority. For this to happen in a state like Montana just boggles my mind. You would expect this in a state where corruption is just a way of life, like New Jersey or Louisiana. This is a black mark against the Billings Fire Department, the City of Billings, and the whole state of Montana, in my opinion.
What differentiates the USA from Third World holes like Mexico is our respect for the rule of law, and an expectation that our government officials will act in a legal and honorable manner. (That’s traditionally been the case, anyway.) Increasingly, however, government at all levels, from the White House, to the Billings Fire Department, disregards the law. We are becoming a nation ruled by men with varying degrees of authority, NOT by the rule of law. We are becoming just as corrupt as Mexico. Overall, we have a peaceful, orderly society, not because of the force of government, but because most people willingly follow the law. But when people see that the government doesn’t respect our rights, and men like Mike Spini enforce laws in an arbitrary and capricious manner, then chaos will result.
Our society is built upon mutual respect of the law by the citizens, and those government officials charged with enforcing it. Mike Spini has done great damage to that social contract in the city of Billings, and he should be ashamed of his actions towards Mr. Collier.
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Oscar Grant. Erik Scott. Allen Kephart. Jose Guerana. Kelly Thomas. Andrew Wordes. Mark Eric Henderson Jr. Reynaldo Cuevas. |
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Tango 1
Plain Boring
USA
5723 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2010 : 07:19:44
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| Any Update from Nathan on this. |
 
Smith & Wesson Sigma
Model: SW40GVE Nato O/D
Caliber: .40S&W
Capacity: 14+1 Rounds
NRA Member
CCW Permit Holder
Defender of the Constitution
Citizen of the United States of America
 There is a Storm coming! 
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When life gives you zombies, you work out your anger issues.
In God I trust!
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Nathan
Big Sky Guy
USA
21551 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2010 : 08:14:46
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| ive paid an attorney to expunge this from my record, and we are preparing to move forward with our civil action. i tried to run an ad in the local newspaper but after reviewing my ad the lady in charge of advertising (ms. schilling) informed me that the newspaper doesnt want to run the ad but would not give me a reason for the refusal. that her last name is the same as spini's sycophant lapdog may or may not have anything to do with it. ive appealed her decision and am waiting to hear back. in the meantime i am securing an interstate billboard as well as radio advertisement. |
Nathan In Montana, carrying a Gen4 Glock 19 loaded with Federal 147 grain +P JHPs carried in a Galco King Tuk thats worn on a Wilderness Instructor's belt.
NRA Certified Instructor, Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol
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Tango 1
Plain Boring
USA
5723 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2010 : 10:42:43
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| Giv'em hell Nathan. Hope they pay through the nose for their arrogance. |
Smith & Wesson Sigma
Model: SW40GVE Nato O/D
Caliber: .40S&W
Capacity: 14+1 Rounds
NRA Member
CCW Permit Holder
Defender of the Constitution
Citizen of the United States of America
There is a Storm coming!
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When life gives you zombies, you work out your anger issues.
In God I trust!
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FFemt5287
Baron of Obscure Calibers
USA
3577 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2010 : 17:32:17
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| Best of luck, Nathan. Keep us posted. I hate people who think they're the end-all-be-all when they're nothing more than a twerp whose badge wears them. |
 The Baron of Obscure Calibers |
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KeysGuy
Advanced Member
USA
3726 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2010 : 05:13:35
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Nathan, best of luck. We talk a lot about the 2A around here, but there is also a lot to be said for the 1A.  |
Keys Guy
One thing we can learn from history is we do not learn from history. (Unknown)
Best way to win a gun fight? "That's easy, don't show up for it." -------Wyatt Earp 1920
I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them. (me)
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Alexander the Pretty Good
Junior Member
167 Posts |
Posted - 12/25/2010 : 16:20:16
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| I salute you for taking a stand. |
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acad54
Junior Member
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 16:06:38
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If he is a true Fire Marshall he works for the state NOT the Billings Fire Dept.
EDIT: Apparently he is not a true fire marshall and that is just the title the Billings Fire Dept gave him. He is an employee of the city. |
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag. |
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festus
Senior Member
1120 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2011 : 09:05:55
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| The "New World Order" is alive and entrenched in the once free State of Montana! Good luck Nathan! |
In twenty-first-century America, "rights" are increasingly meant for those who behave themselves and don't exercise them. |
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glock fu master
New Member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 16:09:46
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| UPDATES? seems to me as a business owner you are not and employee, you are an independent contractor and not liable for anything. i would have sued for a finding of innocence and sued for damges personally and corporately against spini and the fd and the city and spini's immediate supervisor. you should check out cop block and mark fiore in philly. |
BRING ON THE ZOMBIES!
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MisterB
Average Member
645 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 15:20:15
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| So, does this in any way effect your CCW permit? |
See, guys like flowers too... |
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MisterB
Average Member
645 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2012 : 13:32:15
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| Total silence with this now. I take it that could mean the situation got more sticky for you? |
See, guys like flowers too... |
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Joe S.
Average Member
USA
678 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2012 : 15:13:02
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| Nathan for fire marshall!! Can i cast an out of state, absentee vote? :) |
Joe S.
Central MS
"An armed society is a polite society!"
redistribute work ethic! |
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GlockASA
New Member
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 22:32:18
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| Stumbled upon this thread, very. Curious about what happened with the civil suit, billboard, radio ad, and newspaper ad. |
Gen 4 Glock 23 loaded with Federal HST 180 grain .40 S&W
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hooligan
Starting Member
17 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2012 : 21:13:07
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I find this interesting. I have no first hand knowledge of the situation. No dog in the race so to speak. But I do know Trever....we attended the same fire science school. I know his whole family well and I have never sensed a bit of arrogance or unprofessional behavior like is described here. They are all decent people and most of them have dabbled in emergency service in one way or another to help their communities.
I live in the far opposite corner of the state from Billings and I don't see Trever very often these days....maybe once a year. See his family a little more than that.
I'm not judging or taking sides here. Just observing. |
The sheep stand around hoping the wolf will never come.
The sheepdog, lives for that day! |
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Nathan
Big Sky Guy
USA
21551 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2012 : 17:47:42
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quote:
Originally posted by hooligan
I know his whole family well and I have never sensed a bit of arrogance or unprofessional behavior like is described here.
i dont know how he is off the job; nor do i care what he does off the job. off the job he doesnt carry the authority of the state so he is of no concern to me. on the job he is spini's little psycophant bitch. on the job he is unprofessional and carries the responsibility of the state very poorly. i didnt know either of these dick-bags prior to this incident, but the way they lowered the hammer of the state on someone absolutely innocent of the charges, knowing he is absolutely innocent and charging him anyway for the sold purpose of leveraging the building owners to do what they should have done in the first place shows theyre both pieces of without an ounce of integrity between the two of them.
since putting this page up i have heard from over a dozen firefighters on the billings fire department who work for these jackasses and what they have to say is far different from what you have said. i cannot publish the emails they have sent me for obvious reasons. about the nicest thing they have to say about either of them is that schillings nose is so far up spinis ass that if spini goes to scratch his balls he'll poke schilling in the eye. |
Nathan In Montana, carrying a Gen4 Glock 19 loaded with Federal 147 grain +P JHPs carried in a Galco King Tuk thats worn on a Wilderness Instructor's belt.
NRA Certified Instructor, Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol
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hooligan
Starting Member
17 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2012 : 08:04:57
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LOL, thats funny stuff right there. Sorry to hear that. I have never worked with him, that side could very well be there.
Responsibility and authority affect some people in a bad way. |
The sheep stand around hoping the wolf will never come.
The sheepdog, lives for that day! |
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mpgo4th
Starting Member
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2013 : 08:14:15
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I know its and old post but Nathan, could you please post an update? Dying to know how it all worked out.
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Corruption in Billings, Montana
