Welcome to Missoula!

First the county gives away the. 5.8 acres land next to the jail to their developer friends for free instead of saving it for jail expansion.

then after the film studio pulled out they sold 6 acres near direct TV in a prime industrial area to developer friends for $750k even though it did not promise any jobs,

tiny city lots for houses sell for $200k but they sold commercial land with improvements for just over $125k per acre

Now the city is going to buy 13 acres of land that has been unsellable for 20 years for $5.8 million by the mall, then dump a million more into developing it and thinks they can somehow make a profit or that it would be a good use for your stolen tax dollars.

I wonder how much cash they can fit in the brown paper bags that they bribe Democrat politicians with.

The best part is the press is too stupid to even ask if the people who stand to profit from these transactions how much they donate to election campaigns.

Remember we could not afford bathrooms in many of our city parks and people have to use 3rd world portapotties.

https://missoulacurrent.com/purchase-southgate-property/

Tonight there was two groups of people ages 18-mid20's at Missoula College entry demanding money to park there REMEMBER IT DOES NOT COST MONEY TO PARK THERE don't fall for this scam I called the Campus Police prior to the game but going forward there will never be a fee to park there for games as stated by the Police.

I can't find it anywhere online and I've looked a few places and rather not leave my bed and watch it lol. T.I.A.

SMURF NEWSLIKELY SIGHTING LAST NIGHT (Wednesday 7pm) at Schramm and Reserve!!!Please keep your eyes open. Late evening and early morning monitoring would be appreciated. If we can pin down where he is hiding, we can set up a feeding station and prepare to trap.

They would also like to have more flyers out and just call them to ask more info:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS AM TO HELP FIND SMURF CALL: 406-207-9338

https://preview.redd.it/oeihtf5xszzd1.jpg?width=907&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=369b80b7fc3f7325e130634fb7d6a73be31436c0

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https://preview.redd.it/h8ekrf5xszzd1.jpg?width=756&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afd506d742f1c90b7621d8858ce3c12ab5c85599

Ok Buddy: "This project is a central focus in my life," Bergquist said. "I think about it and work on it all day, and then I go home and dream about it at night. I am fully committed to finishing this project in a way that adds to Missoula's value and complements all that the city has to offer." 😂🎻

No surprises though Bergquist is either a liar or as stupid as the other idiots that did business with Aaron Wagner.

Side note this article got me wondering is the Michael Burks guy Aaron Wagner 2.0!?

Full text

Feds seek forfeiture of old Missoulian building, former developer faces new fraud charges

Federal prosecutors in Utah are seeking the forfeiture of the former Missoulian building, according to an indictment accusing a real estate developer of defrauding investors to purchase the high-profile downtown property.

Aaron Wagner, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on a slew of fresh felony counts in U.S. District Court in Utah after allegedly bilking investors of millions of dollars that was diverted to pay for personal expenses and unrelated real estate in at least three states.

Aaron Wagner, pictured in one of his Instagram photos.

David Erickson

The new charges accuse him of 16 total counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, transactional money laundering and concealment of money laundering. The 14-page indictment also accuses Wagner of lying about his personal and professional success while using social media to silence critics.

Wagner is scheduled to be arraigned Friday before Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City. He's currently being held in the Salt Lake County Jail, according to the detention center inmate roster.

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Wagner gained local prominence in 2021 after he was named as one of three purchasers of the old Missoulian building at 500 S. Higgins Ave., a prime real estate location bordered by the Hip Strip and the Clark Fork River. The Missoulian has since relocated to its current location on West Broadway Street.

The Missoulian building at 500 S. Higgins Ave. is pictured on June 7, 2021.

BEN ALLAN SMITH, Missoulian

Days later, Wagner made headlines after firing off a series of offensive messages on social media to people in the Missoula community who had criticized the development plans. His posts in November 2021 included mocking locals who had posted responses to an Instagram video of the proposed development, including anti-transgender slurs. He later apologized, calling his comments "heinous."

The indictment states that much of the fraudulent activity was conducted through WagsCap Food Services, a limited liability corporation created by Wagner and a co-defendant in the latest case, Michael Mains, headquartered in Lehi, Utah.

Former University of Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist was a business partner with Aaron Wagner and his brother Jadon Wagner in the deal to buy the Missoulian building. Bergquist sent a statement to the Missoulian on Thursday afternoon.

"I am aware of Aaron Wagner's indictment, but I don't have any information about the source of his funds or his other activities," Bergquist said. "His role in the project was solely focused on funding, and he is the only one who knows about those funds. I initiated the lengthy process of removing WagsCap, LLC from the project for unrelated reasons long before his arrest or the related investigations."

As for the future of the vacant Missoulian building, Bergquist indicated he still has plans for the site. The building is still owned by The Belle LLC, which was the entity created in 2021 when Bergquist and the Wagners bought it.

"Despite the challenges, this remains an incredible project," Bergquist said. "I am moving forward with new partners, and WagsCap, LLC will be removed. I have retained legal counsel to ensure that this transition proceeds appropriately."

Bergquist said he looks forward to working with the authorities and investors to resolve any issues. 

"This project is a central focus in my life," he said. "I think about it and work on it all day, and then I go home and dream about it at night. I am fully committed to finishing this project in a way that adds to Missoula's value and complements all that the city has to offer."

A concept image from 2021 of what was planned at the Missoulian building site.

David Erickson

Court records list the defendants' attorneys as Nathan Crane and Richard Van Wagener of Salt Lake City-based law firm Spencer Fane LLP. They did not return a request for comment Thursday.

Last month, Wagner was arrested in Utah on a single count of wire fraud, according to court records.

Wagner is charged alongside Mains, who is scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Dec. 4. Prosecutors also suggest the alleged scheme involved other co-conspirators not named in the indictment.

The alleged scheme spanned a time period from at least as early as March 2021, according to the indictment, and continued through September 2024.

Wagner brought in at least $40 million from investors, the indictment alleges, but used funds for personal expenses and investments, or to prop up other projects for different investor groups in which he was involved.

At times he “used new investor money — obtained through fraud — to falsely appease old investors,” prosecutors wrote.

Within the money laundering charges, Wagner and Mains are accused of using a $2.5 million cashier’s check on Nov. 18, 2021, toward the purchase of the former Missoulian building. The money was supposed to be invested in franchise restaurants.

The defendants allegedly used more than $9 million that was supposed to be spent on 30 franchise restaurant locations for down payments on real estate including a second home for Wagner and an “$8 million real estate property in Missoula.” That’s the amount that Wagner and two other investors reportedly paid for the former Missoulian building.

The money also went toward down payments on Wagner’s $8 million personal plane — detailed in his initial wire fraud charge in October — and a $4.5 million property to be turned into a nightclub called “SWAGS.”

Along with the Missoulian building, prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of the plane and real estate properties in Alpine, Utah, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

The indictment accuses Wagner of “using investor funds to engage in conspicuous, lavish personal spending to project to potential investors a false illusion of a successful business record.”

It continues, “He would post pictures of his conspicuous spending on his marketing channels, all without disclosing that his exotic cars, personal jets, multimillion dollar homes, and extravagant lifestyle were actually funded by theft.”

In one instance, Wagner and Mains diverted $400,000 that others had sought to invest in Crumbl Cookie stores to pay themselves in 2021 and 2022, while making it appear the funds were wages paid to employees, the indictment states.

The scheme allegedly involved the defendants lying to investors about his business track record while promising returns as high as 30% annually. In 2021, he told investors he had successfully opened 50 new restaurants over the past 12 months, when he had only opened 15, according to federal prosecutors.

Prosecutors also accuse Wagner of lying about autobiographical details, referring to his story of transforming “from sports reject and broke college kid to playing the Rose Bowl to becoming a billion-dollar portfolio manager."

“But Wagner never played in the Rose Bowl,” the indictment alleges. “And he never managed a billion dollar portfolio.”

Wagner is a Canadian immigrant who played college football for Brigham Young University.

The indictment also alleges that he “bullied” investors and employees who were critical of his business practices by “persuading social media companies to delete his critics' accounts.”

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday asked for a protective order against Wagner, writing in the motion that “many witnesses in this case have expressed fear that defendant will retaliate against them, using his resources to threaten their financial or physical well-being.”

The motion suggests Wagner could use personal identifying information the defense obtains through the discovery process “for retaliatory purposes.”

WagsCap LLC was used to solicit investments in restaurant brands including Hell Sugar, Dirty Bird, Everbowl, Crumbl Cookies and Las Botellas, the indictment states.

“Each branded restaurant was offered separately to investors under a separate company, with Wagscap Food Services owning some percentage of the entity and serving as the entity's manager,” prosecutors wrote.

Missoulian reporter David Erickson contributed to this story.

student ticket for sale, dm me, will negotiate, have proof of purchase

I'm lacking friends who share interest in watching college football. I have my favorite teams, but I also enjoy watching pretty much any game between ranked teams or games that other folks are excited about. Anyone else interested in meeting up at a bar to watch games?

I need a “third place” to go between work and home. Something to shake off the day, socialize, be a little active. I think it’d be fun to meet up with other women to shoot some hoops, bowl, or do some other activity that gets us moving. Not really competitive, not judgmental, just active and fun. No kids or spouses. Anyone interested?

I have some dash cam footage of an accident, if you’re one of the parties involved and would like the footage let me know

i’ve been trying to find a new (decently priced) hair stylist. i haven’t been to a salon in months and don’t trust myself to cut my own. i’m thinking of getting a shag/wolf cut. if anyone has suggestions that aren’t booked out super far! thank you in advanceee

I do know Rockin' Rudy's for one has a nice selection of squishy slimy squeezy guys. If I prefer my stim toys a la carte to 75-pack assortments of varying quality and suitability shipped from China, where else can I look? Especially on a budget.

Just wanted to give a shoutout to the MOD for really flexing those mod muscles lately! Nothing like seeing a few locked posts to remind us who’s boss. Looks like we poked the bear, and they are definitely getting their MOD on! 🐻

Some recent community highlights to enjoy: first, we get the ol’ ‘GO OUT THE VOTE!’ special, and now it’s ‘NO POLITICS HERE, PLEASE.’ Love the consistency! Keep up the great work keeping us all on our toes!

won’t give personal details, but this is fairly urgent. any help is welcome, thank you!

It's hott! I've had really good luck since I bought this and have carried it in my pocket ever since. Right after I bought it, I went home and my wife made me pancakes and gave me a b/@wjob (first time since pre covid). Now i keep getting parking spots right where need them downtown, I didn't wait for a market on front burrito two days straight, I shot a 6 pt bull and it ran downhill to my truck and died right by the tail gate, and today I hit every green light on reserve at rush hour traffic. I have a feeling it all has to do with this ticket and I'm willing to sell it for $450,000 or trade for a decent home of similar value.

What bars have trivia around town?

On Wednesday night a longhaired tuxedo cat showed up on my porch. She appears to be female (possibly neutered male) and very friendly, not emaciated or starving, but doesn't have a collar so I'm wondering if she's lost. If no one claims her I'll drop her off at the humane society before it gets too much colder. https://imgur.com/a/NYmot4k

Does anyone know anything about the zootown festival? Just got an Instagram suggestion for it I guess the lineup is getting released soon

They blocked so many streets and I had such a hard time getting home

I’m curious if anyone else in town has frequent power flickering? It happens at our house multiple times a day. I was visiting a business for my job today and they too had an issue. Has anyone else noticed, and does anyone have any ideas what’s going on? I know it’s not the trains or the homeless!

Hello, beautiful people! I think you're beautiful for inside and outside. So come charm me tonight in Break Espresso (432 North Higgins) starting at 6:00. I'll be there, and I guess some other people playing games. So even if you don't feel like charming me, you can still play board games and card games.

Also some scuttle-butt about another meet up tomorrow (11/9) at the same time. So if'n you can't make it tonight maybe tomorrow will work out better. I'll still be there since I have the stamina.

Anybody else see these in their commutes & think the same thing??

lol

We dropped almost a million to develop a nice area for families and now the city has closed it? How come?

https://www.reddit.com/r/MissoulaPolitics

We've just lost power over on 34th, anyone else?