FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2011

CONTACT
Chuck Denowh – 239.5952

Rick Hill asks Livingstone campaign to stop spreading malicious rumors
Apology to Montanans sought

(Helena, MT) – Republican Rick Hill’s gubernatorial campaign has released a letter delivered to Republican candidate Neil Livingstone regarding recent statements made by his campaign.

The letter addresses false comments made by Livingstone’s running mate state Senator Ryan Zinke regarding Hill’s involvement in litigation against DBSI.

Excerpt from Rick Hill’s letter to Neil Livingstone:

“It has come to my attention that your campaign has been at the center of creating and perpetuating rumors about my involvement in litigation against DBSI.

“The claim Senator Ryan Zinke recently told Senator Bruce Tutvedt that I am being investigated by Jesse Laslovich as being a principal in the real estate ponzi scheme is utterly false.

“I know we both hope that the comments made by Senator Zinke come as an isolated incident. They are false, and hold no merit, so let’s go ahead and set the record straight.”

The letter requests that the Livingstone campaign apologize for Zinke’s comment.

HILL LEADS DEFRAUDED INVESTORS

Hill has taken a lead role in the litigation against the investment firm DBSI.  The suit alleges that DBSI operated an illegal ponzi scheme whereby investments made by Hill and others were used to pay dividends to earlier investors.  The scheme finally fell apart and DBSI went bankrupt.  Hill is seeking to recoup some or all of the losses suffered by cheated investors.

“Some of these people were completely wiped out, their retirement dreams destroyed by scam artists,” said Hill.  “I’m doing everything I can to expose these scoundrels and help restore what people lost.  It’s amazing that anyone would suggest that I’m one of the bad guys.”

HILL CALLED HERO

Others cheated by DBSI backed up Hill’s statements.

“It’s absurd for anyone to accuse Rick of being investigated in this case—it’s just plain backwards,” said state Senator Carmine Mowbray, another investor defrauded by DBSI.  “I can’t thank Rick enough for taking a lead role in bringing these out-of-state crooks to justice.”

Another cheated investor, Jane Pepiot, and her husband Ken, agreed.  “Without Rick, I’m not sure this case would have gone forward.  He’s been tireless in helping me and the other victims of this fraud recoup what was taken from us.  He’s the hero in this story.”

“I know firsthand of the DBSI fraud, as I am one of the investors defrauded by them," said Gert Stevens of Missoula.  “Rick Hill has been working diligently helping investors hold on to their investment properties and regain some of our lost investments. DBSI is being investigated, not Rick Hill."

HILL WORKS WITH STATE AUDITOR

Hill has worked closely with the state Auditor and Securities Commissioner, Monica Lindeen, and the lead investigator in the case Jess Laslovich. In February 2009, Hill and Mike Winsor, an attorney for the state Auditor’s office, testified before a federal bankruptcy judge about the need for an independent examiner and forensic accounting in the case; those requests were granted by the judge.

A March 2009 press release (attached) from the State Auditor further explains Hill’s integral role in assisting the investigation.

“We really need to get this race back on the issues that matter,” said Hill.  “Let’s talk about job creation and getting Montana’s economy back on track.  Let’s talk about how we’re going to fix our failing schools.  I have a vision for Montana that I want to share; let’s focus on what matters.”

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ACTUAL LETTER TO LIVINGSTONE CAMPAIGN

Neil Livingstone
c/o ExecutiveAction, LLC
1300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 501
Washington, D.C. 20036

September 26, 2011

Mr. Livingstone:

I am writing to provide you an opportunity to show that your campaign is clean, honest, and above the mudslinging that Montanans are so fed up with in politics today.

It has come to my attention that your campaign has been at the center of creating and perpetuating rumors about my involvement in litigation against DBSI.

The claim Senator Ryan Zinke recently told Senator Bruce Tutvedt that I am being investigated by Jesse Laslovich as being a principal in the real estate ponzi scheme is utterly false.

I know we both hope that the comments made by Senator Zinke come as an isolated incident. They are false, and hold no merit, so let’s go ahead and set the record straight.

Over the course of this dispute I have been working as an advocate and spokesperson for the group of defrauded investors. I made the decision to take a role as a leader and act as a voice for those who have been hurt by this unfortunate situation. Plain and simple, I am not “being investigated” as your running mate suggests, but instead have been working closely with the Montana Auditor’s office in prosecuting this matter.

The comments made by your campaign are not only false, but also malicious. Montanans involved in the situation were deceived by fraud, and I, along with others cheated in this case find the attempt at playing politics with people’s misfortune truly offensive.

You don’t have to take my word for it, here are five other defrauded investors that would be happy to explain this issue, and my role in it, to you:

Carmine Mowbray (Polson)

Gert Stevens (Missoula)

Amy Lee (S. California)

Jane Pepiot (Arizona)

Vic Donovan (Billings)

You and Senator Zinke owe the Montanans involved an apology.

I am sure you agree that in such a critical point in our state’s future, this campaign should be focused on the issues that matter to Montanans, not rooted in self-fabricated claims for political gain.

Sincerely,

RICK HILL

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