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At the Attorney General’s Office, we begin the New Year continuing our commitment to improve public safety, protect consumers, and promote ethics in government. In this issue, read about: |
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Thank you for following the work of the Attorney General’s Office as we serve the people of Washington. Go Hawks!
Bob Ferguson |
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Increasing the Legal Smoking Age from 18 to 21
Working for Victims of Human Trafficking
Supporting the President's Executive Action on Immigration
Attorney General Request Legislation
Medicaid Fraudsters Facing LawsuitI filed a lawsuit against a Wenatchee-based company that we believe made millions of dollars providing fake Medicaid trainings to schools around the state. An investigation found that the company, JT Educational Consultants, netted $12.6 million in consulting fees from school districts by gaming a system meant to help Medicaid-eligible students and their families learn about available resources. Details can be found in our news release. Our lawsuit, on behalf of the state, seeks return of the ill-gotten funds and substantial civil penalties for the false Medicaid claims. Seattle Times Medicaid lawsuit targets school consultants The Wenatchee World Lawsuit: Consultants gamed a complex system Millions for Consumers from T-Mobile and Sirius AgreementsTo unsubscribe, please click “Delete Profile” under “SUBSCRIBER SERVICES” at the bottom of the message. I was proud to announce two multi-state agreements that put money back in the pockets of consumers nationwide. Washington had a lead role in negotiating agreements with T-Mobile over unauthorized charges and Sirius XM satellite radio for misleading advertising and billing. Find out if you’re eligible for restitution from these cases at www.t-mobilerefund.com and www.siriusxm.com/settlementprogram. Time T-Mobile to Pay $90 Million to Settle Cramming Case Seattle PI |
Bob Ferguson
Dear Friends,
Proudly continuing Washington’s national leadership in the fight to prevent youth smoking, I have asked lawmakers to increase the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. Tobacco use takes a devastating toll in our state, killing thousands of people and costing us billions of dollars each year. The U.S. Surgeon General projects 100,000 of today’s youth in our state will die prematurely from smoking. To break this cycle, more must be done to protect young people from the deadly grip of nicotine addiction. If the Legislature approves my proposal, Washington will become the first state in the nation to increase the legal age for tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21. 
Washington is a leader in the fight against human trafficking. My office recently led the Statewide Coordinating Committee on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, which recently 
I recently filed a “friend of the court” 
Our proposals to the Legislature this year include a bill to protect consumers from "ticket bots" that unfairly drive up the price of event tickets, and a new government ethics law to address the “revolving door” issue when state officials leave public service to become lobbyists.