In January, James Brown was sworn in as the 18th Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, a high-impact but often under-appreciated role focused on protecting consumers from financial fraud.

Brown’s office has swiftly addressed key challenges facing Montanans, including scams involving cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, bolstering outreach in rural communities, and trying to ensure wildfire-related insurance coverage.

Since taking office, Brown has secured legislative backing for an anti-fraud education campaign, statute changes and helped the agency distribute approximately $2.2 million through Montana’s securities restitution fund — capped at $50,000 per victim — to compensate 141 victims.

Before becoming state auditor, Brown served as the president

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