AGO News Releases

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna testifies to Congress about deceptive online marketing tactics

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA -- Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna took a leading role in encouraging Congress to get tough on companies that engage in deceptive online sales tactics. McKenna was the only attorney general to testify in connection with Tuesday’s hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Public Counsel recommends cuts to PSE’s electric and gas rates

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office today challenged electric and gas rate increases proposed by Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

Settlement fixes alleged hang-ups with Vonage’s billing practices

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA – Attorneys general in 32 states are calling on Vonage to change its marketing practices. The company, one of the nation’s largest providers of Internet-based phone service, will refund eligible customers and pay $3 million to the states to resolve concerns about its billing and cancellation policies.

AG McKenna: alcoholic energy drinks are a recipe for disaster

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA – They have names like “Joose” and “Max Fury.” According to state attorneys general, these super-caffeinated alcoholic concoctions may not be safe. And worse, they’re being marketed to young people.

State Supreme Court unanimously supports school funding system

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Supreme Court today unanimously ruled that variations on the way teachers and school staff are paid across districts does not violate Washington’s Constitution.

Bilking Medicaid: Attorney General’s investigators keeping up with fraudsters

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SPOKANE — Assistant Attorney General Dannette Allen and a team of investigators and support staff spend their days combing through bank records, computer records, sworn statements and tips from whistleblowers. Their goal: To find those fraudulently using the state’s Medicaid program as an income source.

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.