Downing Headed to Jury Trial as Residency Issues Continue to Haunt Him
Helena – Californian Troy Downing’s trial date was set last week for May 23-25, two weeks before the primary election. Downing will appear before a jury trial for seven misdemeanor charges alleging he illegally bought resident hunting licenses when he was not a Montana resident, most recently in 2016.
Downing claimed tax breaks on his primary home in California as recently as last year and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said during its investigation of Downing they found evidence suggesting his “time in Montana is seasonal at best.”
ICYMI: KXLH: Trial set for Senate candidate Downing on fish-and-game charges
By Mike Dennison
February 14, 2018
Key Points:
“...Downing, charged multiple times for allegedly buying Montana resident hunting-and-fishing licenses when he was a non-resident, is going to trial – two weeks before his contested primary election.”
“The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has cited Downing seven times for buying or applying to buy a resident hunting-and-fishing license when he wasn’t a Montana resident, from 2011-2016.”
“He’s also been cited for illegally transferring a license to someone else who’d killed a bull elk in 2011 and helping his son, Dylan, a non-resident, obtain a resident license in 2015.”
“State law says a person must live in Montana for six months before buying a resident hunting or fishing license, register a vehicle here and pay state income taxes.”
Read the entire article HERE.
ICYMI: Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Trial date set for U.S. Senate candidate’s alleged hunting violations
By Freddy Monares
February 14, 2018
Key Points:
“According to a search warrant application written by a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks warden, the investigation into Downing’s residency began in 2013 when the Montana Department of Revenue asked FWP to look into whether Downing met residency requirements for Montana hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. DOR said it believed Downing had illegally purchased resident licenses.”
“...Downing had been receiving a tax exemption for a home he owns in Fallbrook, California, about 60 miles north of San Diego. Downing had been receiving a homeowner’s tax exemption since 2005, which is for homeowners if the home is their primary residence.”
“Downing is currently facing seven misdemeanors for unlawful purchase of or apply for resident license by a nonresident.”
“He was cited an eighth time for transferring a hunting license to another person and a ninth time for assisting an unqualified applicant in obtaining a hunting license.”
Read the entire article HERE.
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