AGO News Releases

State Attorneys General: Don’t Limit States’ Authority to Protect Consumers

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA -- Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna is leading a group of 40 state attorneys general in urging Congress to uphold the role of the states in enforcing consumer protection laws.

Public Counsel recommends UTC reject proposed sale of Verizon Northwest to Frontier

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office today recommended that the state Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) not approve the sale of Verizon Northwest’s local and long distance telephone services in Washington to Frontier Communications because the transaction, as proposed, is not in the public interest.

AG’s office recovers over $1.3 million from drug companies accused of fleecing Medicaid

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA—Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that his Medicaid Fraud Unit participated in a settlement agreement that has generated a substantial payout from four drug companies accused of gaming a government health care program.

Latino immigrants at risk of being exploited by “notarios”

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

In most Latin American countries, a “notario” is a licensed attorney. But the similar-sounding English word “notary public,” which translates to “notario publico,” means something entirely different.

Silver lining for former Silver State Helicopter students

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – A year after Silver State Helicopters declared bankruptcy – leaving its former students with sky-high loan debt – a group of attorneys general has handed over a golden parachute.

Some car advertisers swerve around consumer protection laws

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

VANCOUVER, Wash. –The Attorney General’s announced today that it is suing RGH Marketing, Inc., and the general manager of Interstate Auto Liquidators, as part of an ongoing crackdown on deceptive practices by some dealers and marketers.

Former Miss Washington – victim of past abuse – endorses Attorney General’s domestic violence proposal

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – She was crowned Miss Washington in 2007. A year later, the young woman from Wapato, Wash., placed third in the 2008 Miss America Pageant. Yet, Elyse Umemoto felt defeated.

That’s because, like tens of thousands of Washington residents every year, Elyse’s successes were marred by a recent episode of domestic violence.

Ninth Circuit grants stay Ref. 71 public records case

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA… The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today reversed and granted an immediate stay of a lower court’s preliminary injunction blocking the release of Referendum 71 petitions containing the names and addresses of those who signed the measure.

Attorney General prepared to hammer dishonest home remodelers

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Window sellers need to be transparent in their marketing. Roofers need to stay on top of the law. And home siding installers shouldn’t sidle up to consumers with inappropriately high-pressure sales pitches.

McKenna taps University of Idaho Senior Associate General Counsel to lead WSU Division

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced Sharyl Kammerzell as the new Division Chief of the Washington State University Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

“Fresh Start Opportunities” reeks of scam

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE -- If a young person knocks on your door and says they're selling magazines for a charity, wait before reaching for your pocketbook. The Washington Attorney General’s Office, which issued a warning about Fresh Start Opportunities in March, says solicitors have returned to Washington state.

The hidden danger of powerful pain pills

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Their stories are devastating: A Bothell couple whose 17-year-old son lost his life to a toxic combination of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, a Mukilteo parent whose high-schooler’s fatal addiction started when he smoked OxyContin, and a Seattle physician whose 24-year-old son died from an overdose of Oxycodone and cocaine.

Ninth Circuit grants state’s request for expedited review in Ref. 71 case

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today granted the state’s request to expedite the state’s appeal of the preliminary injunction granted in federal court on Sept. 10, 2009. The injunction blocks the release of Referendum 71 petitions containing the names and addresses of those who signed the measure. The underlying case challenges the state’s public records law as an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.

Warrant issued for caretaker who billed state even after grandpa died

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA — Medicaid recipient Lawrence Whitish died on Aug. 12, 2008. But a state’s attorney says his granddaughter – a government-funded care provider – continued to bill Medicaid for his ongoing care and claimed he was “fine.”

Attorney General McKenna joins honchos in mortgage fraud huddle

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna fears a rise in scam victims as struggling homeowners trying to tap legitimate payment relief programs are simultaneously solicited by charlatans. He said a meeting this morning between Obama administration officials and state attorneys general on mortgage fraud is further evidence that cross-agency cooperation is vital to protect homeowners.