Judge Dan Wilson has laid out his Supreme Court platform, but will he apply it in the Dennis Thornton case or turn a blind eye to lawlessness?

Flathead County District Judge Dan Wilson traveled to Helena last week to file for his second run for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court, this time facing fellow Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy.

Wilson celebrated his filing with a Facebook post featuring Secretary of State Christy Jacobsen and a platform summary; but whether those platform promises hold up as he faces Judge Amy Eddy remains to be seen. Wilson’s post can be viewed below.

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For those of you in back, here is Dan Wilson’s stated campaign platform for Montana Supreme Court:

Today, I officially filed for office. My commitment to Montanans is clear: I will uphold our laws as written, protect the Constitution, and ensure our courts remain places of impartial justice — not judicial activism. I will always defend the rights of all Montanans and deliver fair decisions that serve the people, not political agendas. – Flathead District Judge Dan Wilson

If Wilson’s words are true, they would be nothing short of revolutionary at a time when many courts no longer uphold the law as written, fail to protect the Constitution, and increasingly engage in judicial activism.

Fortunately for Montana voters, they won’t have to wait until 2027 to see whether Wilson’s claims hold up, as the Dennis and Donna Thornton case will soon serve as his first real Supreme Court test.

Earlier this month, NorthWest Liberty News published an article detailing multiple Montana Code violations allegedly committed by the law firm representing Whitefish Credit Union in the Thorntons’ effort to recover their land.

Let us now review the allegations outlined in that article in light of Wilson’s recent campaign promises, as he is the judge currently considering those allegations based on the evidence submitted by Dennis and Donna Thornton.

To recap, Wilson promises to:

1. Uphold our laws as written

2. Protect the Constitution

3. Ensure our courts remain places of impartial justice

4. Defend the rights of all Montanans

5. Deliver fair decisions that serve the people, not political agendas

I have condensed a portion of the article linked above and paired it with Judge Wilson’s recent campaign promises so that the average voter can more clearly assess the credibility of his statements once he rules on the Thornton case.

Overall, Judge Wilson’s decision to vacate the 2018 judgment against the Thorntons should be, by most standards, a straightforward one. Current state law and supreme court precedent clearly require a ruling in the plaintiffs’ favor. In fact, Judge Wilson is legally mandated, not merely permitted, to grant the requested relief. Montana law leaves no discretion in the face of these violations.

The following is a bullet point and summary of the procedures the Plaintiffs claim that Whitefish Credit Union Attorney(s) violated:

• Material omissions in pro hac vice application:
  Concealed at least seven prior firm appearances and substantial ongoing practice in Montana federal courts, violating Section VI(C) of the Rules for Admission to the Bar of Montana and Montana Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(c).
• Unauthorized practice of law:
  Exceeded the two-appearance limit for pro hac vice admission without showing good cause and engaged in substantial Montana practice without full admission.
• Statutorily void substitution of counsel:
  Failed to provide written notice to adverse pro se parties as required by §37-61-404, MCA, rendering the substitution ineffective and all subsequent filings nullities.
• Systematic non-service and defective service:
  Omitted Donna Thornton from certificates of service, addressed mailings solely to Dennis Thornton, used insufficient postage, and falsely certified compliance, violating M.R.Civ.P. 5(a)(1), MRPC 3.4(c), 8.4(d), and Article II, Section 17 of the Montana Constitution.
• Deliberate denial of due process:
  Prevented Donna Thornton from receiving notice, objecting to counsel’s appearance, or participating meaningfully, violating constitutional rights.
• False statements and dishonesty to the tribunal:
  Knowingly made false statements by omission and certification, violating MRPC 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(c).
• Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice: Manipulated judicial process to gain unfair advantage, violating MRPC 8.4(d)

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Legal Verification: Is Judge Wilson Mandated to Grant Relief?

Montana law and precedent are clear:

• Section VI(C) of the Rules for Admission to the Bar of Montana strictly limits pro hac vice appearances; violations mandate revocation.

Wilson Promise # 1: Uphold our laws as written

• §37-61-404, MCA, requires written notice for substitution of counsel; non-compliance renders substitution void.

Wilson Promise # 1: Uphold our laws as written

• M.R.Civ.P. 5(a)(1) and Article II, Section 17 of the Montana Constitution mandate service and due process; violations require striking filings and vacatur.

Wilson Promise # 2: Protect the Constitution

• MRPC 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 8.4(c), 8.4(d) mandate candor, honesty, and fairness; violations require disciplinary referral.

Wilson Promise # 3: Ensure our courts remain places of impartial justice. **Ed note:  Do attorneys who lie face equal punishment?

• Precedents (Essex Ins. Co. v. Moose’s Saloon, Inc., Baltrusch v. Baltrusch, In re Marriage of Broere) confirm that courts must vacate void judgments and strictly enforce procedural rules.

Wilson Promise # 2: Protect the Constitution

The law firm that is acting in blatant disregard for Montana Law and Supreme Court precedent is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Wilson Promise # 4: Defend the rights of all Montanans

Whether Dan Wilson ultimately reaches the Montana Supreme Court is a decision that rests with the voters. What Wilson can decide, win or lose, is whether he conducts himself as a man of honor in the Thornton case or proves to be just another empty suit who delivers rhetoric when it serves his own interests.

The post Dan Wilson’s Supreme Court Run — Are Voters Getting Substance or Rhetoric? appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

When Prosecutors Break the Law, Taxpayers Shouldn’t Foot the Bill

As previously reported by this news outlet (see coverage here, here, and here), Flathead County Prosecutor Travis Ahner, Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Frechette, and former Assistant Flathead County Prosecutor Michael Noonan (now serving as an Assistant Prosecutor for Attorney General Austin Knudsen) are facing enough evidence to warrant a jury trial over allegations that they knowingly used false information in an attempt to incarcerate a Montana landowner.

In light of recent events, it may not surprise many that those we elect and appoint to uphold the law could be accused of violating it themselves. What might surprise the taxpayers of Flathead Valley, however, is that your tax dollars are currently being used to fund the legal defense of those very same officials, which violates Montana law.

Montana Code clearly prohibits Flathead County, or in Noonan’s case the State of Montana, from funding any of the defendants legal defenses.

Montana Code Annotated § 2-9-305(6):
Prohibits a governmental entity from defending or indemnifying an employee whose conduct was outside the course and scope of employment, constituted malice, fraud, or intentional wrongdoing, or otherwise removed the employee from statutory protection.

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The bottom line: The federal lawsuit against Flathead County and Ahner has survived two motions to dismiss, with the court finding the allegations plausible and legally sufficient. The nature of the allegations triggers the statutory prohibition, regardless of final conviction.

And that’s not all. As far as Flathead County goes, both Ahner and Frechette have proven themselves to be a liability to the taxpayer as their actions have triggered a $50 million lawsuit that a) wasn’t reduced in amount by a federal judge and b) was allowed to go through based upon prosecutorial malfeasance. Ahner and Frechette are still practicing law for Flathead County and based upon the Thorco case, could be falsifying evidence this very day and opening up the Flathead taxpayer to even more liability.

In light of the ongoing liability facing taxpayers in Flathead County, and every taxpayer in Montana, all three defendants should be suspended until the jury trial scheduled for June 15 of this year is complete.

Here are the facts to support a suspension of all three defendants:

–Defendants knowingly charged a citizen with a crime despite exculpatory evidence.

–Ignored the Sheriff’s directive not to prosecute.

–Withheld proof of property ownership for over a year.

–Acted with malice and reckless disregard for constitutional rights.

–Taxpayer-funded defense is ongoing, in violation of Montana law.

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To help protect the integrity of Montana’s legal system, we have prepared the necessary documents for anyone in Flathead Valley, or across the state, to file a formal complaint. These documents are designed to both stop the funding of the legal defense for the named defendants and to request their suspension until trial.

Click the links below to download the respective complaint letters:

Letter for Ahner

Letter for Frechette

Letter for Noonan

Flathead County cannot afford to ignore Montana law or risk further liability. The ongoing defense of the defendants with public funds is unlawful and exposes taxpayers to catastrophic financial risk. Flathead Valley men and women should urge the County Commissioners to act immediately to protect the county, uphold the law, and restore public trust.

The post How Many Millions Will You Pay? Ahner’s Legal Gamble Puts Flathead Taxpayer on the Hook appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

Judicial Integrity on Trial as Plaintiffs Seek Emergency Judgment Against Out-of-State Attorneys

(Kalispell, MT) – Supreme Court candidate, and current Flathead County District Judge, Dan Wilson has, once again, been put into a position which will signal to potential voters if he is worthy of their vote this November when Wilson faces fellow Flathead District Judge Amy Eddy to secure a seat in Montana’s Supreme Court.

The current spotlight on Judge Wilson stems from a pair of motions filed yesterday (Feb. 10) by Plaintiffs Dennis and Donna Thornton (see below); motions that threaten to destabilize the opposing party’s case much like pulling the bottom block from a Jenga tower.

Motion to Revoke Pro Hac Vice status of Chicago Attorney for Whitefish Credit Union

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Emergency Motion to Vacate Judgement on 2018 Case

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Overall, Judge Wilson’s decision to vacate the 2018 judgment against the Thorntons should be, by most standards, a straightforward one. Current state law and supreme court precedent clearly require a ruling in the plaintiffs’ favor. In fact, Judge Wilson is legally mandated, not merely permitted, to grant the requested relief. Montana law leaves no discretion in the face of these violations.

The following is a bullet point and summary of the procedures the Plaintiffs claim that Whitefish Credit Union Attorney(s) violated:

• Material omissions in pro hac vice application:
  Concealed at least seven prior firm appearances and substantial ongoing practice in Montana federal courts, violating Section VI(C) of the Rules for Admission to the Bar of Montana and Montana Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(c).
• Unauthorized practice of law:
  Exceeded the two-appearance limit for pro hac vice admission without showing good cause, and engaged in substantial Montana practice without full admission.
• Statutorily void substitution of counsel:
  Failed to provide written notice to adverse pro se parties as required by §37-61-404, MCA, rendering the substitution ineffective and all subsequent filings nullities.
• Systematic non-service and defective service:
  Omitted Donna Thornton from certificates of service, addressed mailings solely to Dennis Thornton, used insufficient postage, and falsely certified compliance, violating M.R.Civ.P. 5(a)(1), MRPC 3.4(c), 8.4(d), and Article II, Section 17 of the Montana Constitution.
• Deliberate denial of due process:
  Prevented Donna Thornton from receiving notice, objecting to counsel’s appearance, or participating meaningfully, violating constitutional rights.
• False statements and dishonesty to the tribunal:
  Knowingly made false statements by omission and certification, violating MRPC 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(c).
• Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice: Manipulated judicial process to gain unfair advantage, violating MRPC 8.4(d)

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Below are the remedies requested by the Thorntons:

• Revocation of pro hac vice admission for Whitefish Credit Union Attorney Meagan P. VanderWeele
• Disqualification of counsel and her firm from further participation
• Striking all filings submitted by or on behalf of Meagan P. VanderWeele
• Referral for disciplinary investigation to the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel and notice to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for reciprocal discipline
• Immediate grant of uncontested motion to vacate judgment (October 10, 2018 Judgment) as void and obtained by fraud
• Evidentiary hearing if necessary to determine scope of additional equitable relief
• Restoration of procedural integrity and protection of pro se litigants’ rights

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Legal Verification: Is Judge Wilson Mandated to Grant Relief?

Based on the factual allegations and cited authorities:

• Montana law and precedent are clear:
  • Section VI(C) of the Rules for Admission to the Bar of Montana strictly limits pro hac vice appearances; violations mandate revocation.
  • §37-61-404, MCA, requires written notice for substitution of counsel; non-compliance renders substitution void.
  • M.R.Civ.P. 5(a)(1) and Article II, Section 17 of the Montana Constitution mandate service and due process; violations require striking filings and vacatur.
  • MRPC 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 8.4(c), 8.4(d) mandate candor, honesty, and fairness; violations require disciplinary referral.
  • Precedents (Essex Ins. Co. v. Moose’s Saloon, Inc., Baltrusch v. Baltrusch, In re Marriage of Broere) confirm that courts must vacate void judgments and strictly enforce procedural rules.

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Summary: Judge Dan Wilson has the opportunity to finally end the Thornton family’s years‑long ordeal as they have spent nearly a decade trying to reclaim their stolen property.

Conclusion:
If the facts are as alleged and uncontested, Judge Wilson is legally mandated, not merely permitted, to grant the requested relief. Montana law leaves no discretion in the face of these violations.

The post Montana Court Showdown: Will Judge Wilson Enforce the Law or Let Misconduct Slide? appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

(Kalispell, MT)-Embattled landowner Dennis Thornton scored a decisive victory in his ongoing effort to reclaim his stolen property—a saga extensively covered by this news outlet at creditunioncrimes.com. Late last month, a federal judge denied, for the second time, Flathead County’s motion to dismiss Thornton’s $50 million lawsuit against them, as only the most explosive allegation survived.

The suit targets County Prosecutor Travis Ahner, who is being sued both professionally and personally, and other county agents, alleging they “knowingly submitted and relied on false certifications and legal claims” regarding property ownership, in violation of federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1018); then attempted to imprison Thornton on trespassing charges.

This means the judge found enough factual basis to allow the case to proceed on the allegation that county officials may have intentionally misrepresented ownership records in legal filings.

You can review the motion filed by Thornton by clicking the image below

In summary, Thornton sued because Flathead County officials pressed criminal charges for trespassing even though the sheriff advised against it and official records proved Thornton owned the property. The lawsuit alleges that county officials knowingly relied on false information to support the prosecution.

As expected, after the judge denied Flathead County’s motion to dismiss for a second time, a trial date was set for June 15, 2026. You can review the scheduling order by clicking the image below.

If, through civil proceedings, it is established that Ahner and other County officials knowingly submitted false information in an attempt to have Thornton jailed, it could expose those officials to federal criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1018. The maximum penalty is up to one year in prison and/or a fine.

In summary, if you’re like any normal American, even the suspicion that officials knowingly submitted false information in the Thornton case naturally raises the question: Have Ahner and his associates ever done this to anyone else before?

The post Flathead County Faces Trial Over Alleged Scheme to Jail Landowner with False Claims appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

(Kalispell, MT) — Stunning new allegations substantiate what this news outlet has been reporting all along: an active and ongoing organized crime ring is operating in Flathead Valley, Montana, targeting unsuspecting residents by unlawfully seizing their properties and businesses.

As previously promised, the allegations of fraud and corruption against U.S. Trustee Christy Brandon are finally coming to light—and the fallout could have sweeping implications for the integrity of the U.S. Trustee Program in Montana and across the nation.

Below is a brief summary of the Thornton case, along with a breakdown of the alleged crimes committed by Trustee Christy Brandon, her potential prison sentence if found guilty, and the professional consequences of the numerous offenses she is accused of committing.

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Case Background: THORCO INC. Bankruptcy (9:22-bk-90119-WLH)

• Debtor: THORCO INC., a Montana-based corporation
• Petition Date: July 29, 2022
• Conversion to Chapter 7: November 16, 2023
• Trustee Appointed: Christy L. Brandon (January 10, 2024)
• Movant: Dennis Thornton (Pro Se), equity holder and party in interest

Thorco’s bankruptcy was initiated despite the company’s alleged solvency and absence of legitimate unsecured creditors. Trustee Christy Brandon allegedly operated the business post-conversion without court authorization, using Chapter 11 reporting forms in a Chapter 7 case to justify fees and expenses.

The recently filed document with Thornton’s objection and criminal allegations can be accessed here.

Alleged Criminal Acts by Trustee Christy Brandon

How Exhibits A & B Support the Allegations

Exhibit A – Trustee Compensation Application

• Claims $47,259.60 in fees and $905.03 in expenses based on $880,191.99 disbursed.
• Movant alleges these disbursements were manufactured through unauthorized operations to inflate the § 326(a) fee base.

You can access Exhibit A by clicking this link.

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Exhibit B – Expense Worksheet

• Lists routine overhead (copies, postage, MT SOS search fees) without itemized justification.
• Movant argues these fail Rule 2016’s detail requirement and do not benefit creditors.

You can access Exhibit B by clicking this link.

Together, the exhibits show:

• Pattern of inflated billing
• Use of Chapter 11 forms in a Chapter 7 case
• Lack of creditor benefit
• Misleading representations to the court

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Potential Prison Time if Prosecuted

Estimated Exposure:
If multiple counts are charged and stacked, Brandon could face 10–20 years depending on prosecutorial discretion, plea negotiations, and sentencing guidelines.

Career Ramifications if Found Guilty

• Immediate removal as Chapter 7 Trustee under 11 U.S.C. § 324(a)
• Disqualification from future fiduciary appointments
• Loss of law license (subject to Montana Bar disciplinary proceedings)
• Disgorgement of all fees under §§ 328(c), 330, and Rule 2017
• Referral to DOJ and U.S. Trustee for criminal investigation
• Reputational collapse in Montana legal and bankruptcy circles

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Legal Precedents Cited

• Park-Helena Corp. (9th Cir. 1995): Denial of all fees for nondisclosure
• AFI Holding (9th Cir. 2008): Trustee removal for breach of fiduciary duty
• Castillo (9th Cir. 2002): No immunity for self-dealing or ultra vires conduct
• Hale v. U.S. Trustee (9th Cir. 2007): Sanctions for bad-faith fee filings
• Nakhuda (9th BAP 2015): Strict limits on business operation in Chapter 7

Strategic Framing for Outreach

This case is a forensic blueprint for exposing bankruptcy abuse. It challenges the integrity of fiduciary appointments and demands accountability for judicial officers who allegedly exploit solvent estates. If proven, it could reshape trustee oversight across Montana and beyond.

The post Bankruptcy for Profit: Allegations Surface That Montana Trustee Turned Solvent Estate into Personal Payday appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

Today marks a pivotal moment for Flathead County District Judge Dan Wilson. As a candidate for the upcoming Montana Supreme Court vacancy, Wilson begins a process that will either expose him as another spoke in the wheel of corruption—or reveal him as a viable challenger who recognized his mistake and corrected it.

As previously reported by this outlet, Kalispell businessman Dennis Thornton recently filed a motion in Judge Dan Wilson’s court to vacate Wilson’s 2018 judgment against him. The motion cites a voluminous body of evidence showing that Thornton’s mortgage was fully satisfied in a 2016 ruling in his favor, with prejudice, which means Wilson should never have reopened the case in the first place.

For Wilson, the Thornton case is a proverbial “fork in the road,” as WCU, nor their attorneys, answered Thornton’s complaint in the required time. The inaction by the defendant to answer Thornton’s complaint gives him a win by default, and positions Wilson to have no choice, under law, but to sign Thornton’s Motion for Default Unopposed Judgement.

Under Rules 55(a) and (b)(2), default judgment must be entered as a matter of law. The Court may deem all allegations in the Motion to Vacate admitted. See Brilz v. Metropolitan Gen. Ins. Co., 2012 MT 184, ¶ 22, 366 Mont. 78, 285 P.3d 494.

You can view a copy of the most recent Motion for Default Unopposed Judgement by clicking here.

As a side note, if Judge Wilson declines to recognize Thornton’s motion or marshals any form of resistance, it will undoubtedly be yet another attempt to shield his close associate, Sean Frampton, who faces multiple long prison sentences if the crimes he’s allegedly committed are ever prosecuted.

The ball is in your court Judge Wilson. Will you stand for law and order, or are you just another crook in a robe?

The post Judgment Day for Dan Wilson: Supreme Court or Public Disgrace appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

Late last week, a Federal District Judge denied a motion to dismiss the case against Flathead County, County Prosecutor Travis Ahner, and several assistant prosecutors.

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(Kalispell, MT)- On October 10, Federal Judge Donald Malloy turned away attempts by Flathead County, County Prosecutor Travis Ahner, and several assistant prosecutors to dismiss the $50 million Malicious Prosecution case filed by local businessman Dennis Thornton.

In the complaint, Thornton alleges numerous violations against him in the ongoing attempt to steal his 500+ acre property in Somers, MT. The following counts were levied against the defense in the complaint:

• Count 1– Malicious Prosecution
• Count 2– Denial of Due Process
• Count 3– Deprivation of Property Without Just Cause
• Count 4– Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights
• Count 5– False Official Certifications

You can read the original complaint by clicking here

Judge Malloy’s decision places Flathead County and the named employees in the difficult position of having to defend their actions, despite all the evidence in the case weighing against them.

You can read the Malloy decision by clicking here.

Going forward, Flathead County faces a choice: either settle the case with Thornton for a reduced amount, or risk a devastating loss. The case meets the criteria for treble damages, triple the assessed amount, which could leave taxpayers exposed to a $150 million liability if Thornton prevails.

Below is a short video breaking the decision down in greater detail.

The post Video: Flathead County Attempt to Dismiss $50 Million Malicious Prosecution Lawsuit Fails appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

]]> https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/17/video-flathead-county-attempt-to-dismiss-50-million-malicious-prosecution-lawsuit-fails/feed/ 0 4976 https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/15/the-frampton-files-allegations-of-fraud-intimidation-and-real-estate-corruption-in-flathead-county/ https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/15/the-frampton-files-allegations-of-fraud-intimidation-and-real-estate-corruption-in-flathead-county/#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:09:27 +0000 https://northwestlibertynews.com/?p=4929 ______ The bulk of the evidence presented in the following article is drawn from the...

The post The Frampton Files: Allegations of Fraud, Intimidation, and Real Estate Corruption in Flathead County appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

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The bulk of the evidence presented in the following article is drawn from the meticulous 2023 investigation conducted by Private Investigator and Officer of the Court, Kathy Wilson. Access the full report by clicking here.

In 2023, a blistering investigative report submitted to the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel accused Whitefish attorney Sean Frampton of masterminding a years-long scheme of legal manipulation, document tampering, and real estate fraud—targeting Dennis and Donna Thornton and their company, Thorco Inc., with surgical precision and institutional backing.

The 36-page report, authored by private investigator Katherine Wilson and supported by dozens of exhibits, outlines a pattern of conduct that, if substantiated, could implicate Frampton in violations of both Montana criminal statutes and multiple federal laws, including conspiracy, fraud, and racketeering.

A Decade-Long Campaign

At the heart of the allegations is the 500-acre Somers property once owned by Thorco Inc., which was mortgaged through Whitefish Credit Union (WCU). According to the report, Frampton—while serving as outside counsel for WCU and a former board member of Glacier Bank—leveraged insider access to orchestrate a foreclosure scheme that ultimately transferred the property to a network of insiders, including entities tied to prominent developer Mick Ruis.

The report alleges that Frampton:

• Engineered a foreclosure despite the loan being in good standing
• Withheld and manipulated escrow documents
• Filed false mortgage corrections and affidavits
• Retained critical title documents in his personal desk
• Used his legal authority to intimidate and isolate Dennis Thornton, including labeling him a “vexatious litigant” and pursuing criminal trespass charges on property Thornton still legally owned

Legal and Ethical Violations

The report cites more than a dozen Montana Code Annotated (MCA) violations, including:

• MCA 45-7-208: Tampering with public records
• MCA 45-5-203: Intimidation
• MCA 45-5-220: Stalking
• MCA 45-6-301: Theft
• MCA 45-7-201: Perjury
• MCA 45-6-317: Deceptive practices
• MCA 45-4-102: Conspiracy

Federal statutes allegedly violated include:

• 18 U.S. Code § 1341: Mail fraud
• 18 U.S. Code § 1519: Falsification of bankruptcy records
• 18 U.S. Code § 1962: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)
• 22 U.S. Code § 7102: Abuse of legal process

The report also references a prior jury verdict against Frampton in a separate case—Deanna McAtee v. Morrison & Frampton—where he was found liable for malicious prosecution.

The Escrow That Never Was

One of the most damning claims involves a 2016 settlement agreement between WCU and Thorco, which required the creation of two new mortgages to be held in escrow. According to the report, Frampton never opened the escrow account and instead kept the deeds in his personal possession. Years later, he allegedly used those same documents to transfer the property—without proper authority or title insurance—to a shell company, Mo Somers LLC, which was later linked to Ruis Glacier LLC.

The $4 Million Question

The report raises serious questions about a $4 million discrepancy in WCU’s accounting. Despite a court-ordered dismissal of the original foreclosure with prejudice in 2016, Frampton and WCU allegedly continued to claim the debt was owed—blocking legitimate sales of the property and clouding the title.

Political and Institutional Complicity

The report implicates not only Frampton but also suggests complicity or negligence by local institutions:

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office allegedly pursued criminal charges against Dennis Thornton despite contrary evidence

A District Court judge is accused of improperly reviving a dismissed foreclosure judgment

The Montana Division of Banking testified that WCU’s actions violated state banking law

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A Call for Accountability

Wilson concludes her report with a formal request for disciplinary action against Frampton, including suspension of his law license and a full criminal investigation. She asserts that Frampton’s conduct represents a systemic abuse of legal authority and a betrayal of public trust.

“Sean Frampton continues his involvement in this complex issue, even though the conflict of interest is manifest,” Wilson writes. “He has shown no intent to rehabilitate or amend the record to convey the truth.”

What Comes Next

As of this writing, no formal charges have been filed against Frampton in connection with the allegations outlined in this report. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has effectively given Frampton a pass, allowing him to continue practicing law in Whitefish.

However, the breadth and specificity of the claims—combined with corroborating testimony from banking officials, attorneys, and public records—suggest that legal and regulatory scrutiny may be intensifying, as the case now resides in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, beyond the reach of Montana’s compromised judicial system.

An important fact worth noting is that Flathead County District Judge—and Montana Supreme Court hopeful—Dan Wilson has a long-standing history with Sean Frampton, portions of which are detailed in this article.

For the Thorntons, the damage has already been done: a decade of litigation, lost property, and reputational harm. Whether justice will follow remains to be seen.

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Ed. Note: The next published article on this topic will expose the majority of the bad actors who allegedly participated in the attempt to steal Dennis Thornton’s land, while revealing how they operate in concert. As this outlet has long contended, an organized crime ring is active in Flathead Valley, which is now being exposed.

Based on our investigation—alongside the work of others, expert witness testimony, court records, and sworn statements—the following individuals are either core members or ancillary participants in what this news outlet believes will be the largest criminal enterprise ever uncovered in Montana’s history. This list is not all-inclusive.

Christy Brandon – Chapter 7 U.S. Trustee

James Kenyon – CEO of Whitefish CU

Sean Frampton – Whitefish Attorney

Dan Wilson – District Court Judge and Supreme Court Hopeful

Bob Allison – Retired District Judge

Amy Eddy – District Court Judge and Supreme Court Hopeful

Travis Ahner – Flathead County Prosecutor

Clerk of Courts – Flathead County

Numerous WCU Attorneys

Aaron Archer – Former Special Assets Officer at Whitefish CU

Neal Bouma – Property Developer

Ruis Construction – Property Developer

Randy Cogdill – WCU Loan officer (Former)

Melanie Hall – Current Montana Banking Commissioner

Donald Malloy – Montana Federal District Court Judge

The post The Frampton Files: Allegations of Fraud, Intimidation, and Real Estate Corruption in Flathead County appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

]]> https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/15/the-frampton-files-allegations-of-fraud-intimidation-and-real-estate-corruption-in-flathead-county/feed/ 1 4929 https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/12/op-ed-public-land-ownership-when-the-feds-dont-pay-small-communities-suffer/ https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/12/op-ed-public-land-ownership-when-the-feds-dont-pay-small-communities-suffer/#respond Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:03:51 +0000 https://northwestlibertynews.com/?p=4915 __________ Earlier this year, public land ownership and use were big topics in the news....

The post Op-Ed: Public Land Ownership – When the Feds Don’t Pay, Small Communities Suffer appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

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Earlier this year, public land ownership and use were big topics in the news. The issue divided many Montanans on how best to use and manage these lands. I’m an avid user of public lands and fully support keeping them open to the public, but I also want to shed some light on how they’re funded at the federal level.

The federal government is obligated to pay local jurisdictions some form of property tax on the land it owns. There are complex formulas and programs used to calculate those payments, and each year Congress must appropriate the money in the federal budget before it can be distributed to local areas.

In Beaverhead County, where I live, we have just over 2,000,000 acres of public land. Part of that is the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, which totals 48,787 acres in Beaverhead County. In 2010, the appraised value of that land was $23,988,920. Based on U.S. Code and the required formulas, the tax payment to Beaverhead County should have been $179,917. What the county actually received was $38,501—just over 21% of what was owed.

For fiscal year 2023–24, the total due was $194,059, but the county received only $43,432. Between 2008 and 2024, Beaverhead County has been shorted roughly $2.26 million. A large portion of those funds would have gone to the Lima school system.  Lima is a small town of 220 people in southern Beaverhead County.  They have their own school system with less than 60 students total and approximately 18 in the high school.  The school board is doing all they can to keep the high school open and fear they may have to close it soon due to lack of funds.  This underpayment from the federal government is one of the main culprits of their problems.   

It’s important to remember this isn’t a “tax bill” the county sends to the federal government. The dollars owed are determined by U.S. law and federal formulas. When Congress fails to appropriate the full amount owed for wildlife refuges nationwide, the reduced funds are divided up and sent out to local jurisdictions.

This is a prime example of Washington bureaucracy affecting us personally. At a time when hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are being sent overseas for various programs, this should raise alarm bells. Our federal government is funding education and literacy initiatives in other countries, yet it’s shortchanging the taxpayers who fund those programs and the schools here at home. That kind of fiscal mismanagement shows where the government’s priorities truly lie.

As a fiscal conservative, I fully support cutting waste and eliminating unnecessary programs that have grown over the past few decades. But this is different—this is money legally owed back to local communities and should be made right immediately. For many national wildlife refuge communities, the shortfall might not be noticed, but for rural areas like ours, it’s a major hit to local schools and essential services.

I encourage everyone to reach out to our elected representatives and senators in Washington and let them know you support cutting unnecessary overseas spending while fully funding the programs that are legally owed to local communities. If the federal government is going to own and manage so much land across the United States, then it should also follow the law and pay what it owes to the people who live and work on those lands.  How would you be treated if you only paid a portion of your property taxes each year?

One last thing to consider: with more than 2,000,000 acres of public land, Beaverhead County receives just $0.55 per acre each year in PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) —Holding the Federal Government one of the lowest rates in the state. That’s another issue worth revisiting soon.

Representative Shannon Maness

HD 70

The post Op-Ed: Public Land Ownership – When the Feds Don’t Pay, Small Communities Suffer appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

]]> https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/10/12/op-ed-public-land-ownership-when-the-feds-dont-pay-small-communities-suffer/feed/ 0 4915 https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/09/28/judge-dan-wilsons-supreme-court-test/ https://northwestlibertynews.com/2025/09/28/judge-dan-wilsons-supreme-court-test/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:48:15 +0000 https://northwestlibertynews.com/?p=4806 ______ On April 9, 2025, Flathead County District Judge Dan Wilson announced his candidacy for...

The post Judge Dan Wilson’s Supreme Court Test appeared first on NorthWest Liberty News.

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On April 9, 2025, Flathead County District Judge Dan Wilson announced his candidacy for the Montana Supreme Court, after narrowly losing a bid for the same office in 2024. Wilson’s 2026 platform emphasizes “constitutional originalism and judicial restraint,” which is ironic in light of what is about to be revealed.

Wilson, born in Billings, has roots in Montana that stretch back for generations. After receiving a Juris Doctor (J.D) from University of Minnesota Law School in 1993, he passed the Montana Bar exam and was admitted to the BAR that same year.

Wilson’s career began as a prosecutor in Great Falls, Montana, where he mostly handled criminal cases. Wilson later moved to private practice and was even a Justice of the Peace in Phillips County before he was elected as a District Judge in Montana’s 11th Judicial District Court in Flathead County, Montana in 2016.

Also, in 2016, a key decision was made in the case of Whitefish Credit Union (WCU) vs. Thorco, Inc. and the owners of the corporation, Donna and Dennis Thornton. A decision that brings us into 2025, and one that also plays a vital part in Dan Wilson’s Supreme Court test.

Editor’s Note: Much more detail into the history of the WCU vs. Thorco conflict can be found in this report, with these exhibits as a companion. For more recent information and interviews click here.

Although the above mentioned Thorco vs WCU case had it’s origination in 2009 with the original loan, the meat of the material which will be covered moving forward began in 2016 when Judge Bob Allison dismissed the lawsuit against Thorco by WCU with prejudice and declared that Thorco didn’t owe any more money to WCU. The ruling by Judge Bob Allison can be found by clicking here.

Judge Dan Wilson Open a Case that was Dismissed with Prejudice

If you do an AI search on the requirements that have to be met to re-open a case that has been dismissed with prejudice, this is the same basic answer you get, regardless of which AI you choose:

A case dismissed with prejudice means the case is permanently closed and cannot be refiled in the same court or based on the same claims. However, reopening a case dismissed with prejudice is extremely difficult and generally only possible under very limited and exceptional circumstances.

Here are the general requirements or grounds to attempt to reopen such a case:

• Fraud, Misconduct, or Misrepresentation
• Clerical Mistake or Judicial Error
• Newly Discovered Evidence
• Lack of Jurisdiction
• Violation of Due Process or Constitutional Rights
• Strict time limits often apply — especially for Rule 60(b)(1)-(3), which usually require motions to be filed within 1 year of the dismissal.

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In 2018, Judge Dan Wilson re-opened the Thorco case against WCU without ANY of the above criteria being met. WCU now claimed that Thorco, Inc. owed well over $4 million dollars, despite the 2016 settlement and dismissal with prejudice. Wilson granted WCU summary judgement in the case, which was not in his purview to do. The unusual ruling by Wilson begs the question, does Wilson not know the law, or is he in on the scam? See his ruling by clicking here.

In summary, Judge Dan Wilson operated outside his authority and defied all legal standards by re-opening the Thorco case in 2018, which was dismissed with prejudice in 2016. In addition, Wilson allowed WCU to violate Montana’s “One Action Rule,” described below.

The “one action rule” in Montana is a legal principle that applies primarily in mortgage foreclosure law. It limits a creditor to one legal action to recover a debt secured by real property

Enter the Crime Boss? Whitefish Attorney, Sean Frampton

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Besides the usual title companies and bank employees, one person’s name and law firm seems to be involved in not only the Thorco case, but in most every case of the victims interviewed by NorthWest Liberty News. That name is Sean Frampton and his Frampton law firm.

Editor’s Note: Frampton took the deeds for the Thorco case and instead of filing them with the title company as per the settlement agreement, he hid them in his desk and then lied about it

You can watch the account of some of the victims by clicking this link

You can read the article and watch the video account of the Sean Frampton vs. Deanna McAtee trial by clicking this link.

Editor’s Note: Frampton was subsequently found guilty of Malicious Prosecution of McAtee by a jury in 2023, yet he still practices law in Montana

The Judge Dan Wilson-Sean Frampton Connection

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “there are no coincidences.” We’re not here to argue this idea one way or another, we just dig for facts and look for patterns. And the pattern we found seems to be one of Sean Frampton illegally going after property of WCU borrowers using lawfare, and Judge Dan Wilson providing cover.

The re-opening of the 2016 case against Thorco by Wilson, against all judicial decorum, wouldn’t be the last time that Frampton and Wilson teamed-up to screw a Montanan. Just look to the 2019 Deanna McAtee case. Here is a summary:

In 2019, Judge Dan Wilson presided over a case involving Deanna McAtee and the law firm Morrison & Frampton, where Frampton is a named partner.

• Wilson granted summary judgment in favor of Morrison & Frampton, dismissing McAtee’s claims of malicious prosecution with prejudice.
• The Montana Supreme Court later reversed Wilson’s decision in 2021, finding that he had erred in his interpretation and handling of the case.
• This case directly links Wilson’s judicial role to Frampton’s firm, and the reversal became a notable critique of Wilson’s judgment record.

Dan Wilsons Supreme Court Test

Since Judge Wilson re-opened the Thorco case in 2018, a case that was dismissed with prejudice in 2016, numerous hearings, numerous motions, and a ton of paperwork has been filed. (Again, see a case history by clicking here.) Subsequently, Thorco Inc. had to file bankruptcy to protect their property and interests.

During the most recent bankruptcy, new information was obtained that precipitated the document below to be filed by Dennis Thornton, which is a Motion to Vacate Judge Wilson’s 2018 summary judgement, as described above.

Click to Open

All of the exhibits attached to the above motion can be found on Dropbox by clicking here

As the exhibits will show, on at least 3 occasions, and by at least 4 people, the determination has been made, under oath, that Dennis Thornton and Thorco, Inc. did not owe WCU and money after August 24, 2016. This determination can be substantiated by the following documents:

• Testimony from the Montana Banking Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner that the 2009 mortgage was extinguished when WCU vacated its foreclosure judgement and dismissed the case. See that document by clicking here.
• WCU’s February 28, 2025 filing in federal court verifying that there has never been a monetary judgement in favor of WCU against Thorco or the Thorntons based on a mortgage foreclosure. See that document by clicking here.
• Chapter 7 Trustee Christy Brandon’s objection stating that “The judgement entered in favor of WCU against Thorco was vacated and the underlying debt…was satisfied. See that document by clicking here.

Here it is in a nutshell. Judge Dan Wilson has a choice to make based upon all of the above information. Does he continue to adhere to his 2018 ruling to protect his crooked friends, or does he rightfully take all of the new evidence into account and vacate his 2018 judgement against Thorco, based upon the fact that Thorco didn’t owe any money to WCU?

Dan Wilson wants to sit on Montana’s highest court. This in a time where the majority of Montanans are fed-up with the Montana Supreme Court and their activist rulings. As stated earlier, Wilson’s platform is “constitutional originalism and judicial restraint.” Are these just words to get elected, or will Wilson practice what he preaches? This case is Wilson’s test. Ultimately, will Wilson play for “Team Criminal,” or “Team Law and Order,” if he makes it to the SC? Time, as they say, will soon tell.

The companion podcast can be viewed by clicking the video below

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