OLYMPIA — Scammers are posing as the Washington State Supreme Court Clerk to call Washingtonians to demand money and threaten arrest. The fraudulent calls have so far targeted individuals with Hispanic last names.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst urge consumers not to fall for the scammers’ ploy. The Supreme Court will never threaten people with arrest or demand payment.

Washington first state to win injunction of Trump transgender military ban

SEATTLE — A federal judge today granted a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. The ruling came as part of a challenge brought by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, nine individual plaintiffs and three organizations.

“The Court finds that the policy prohibiting openly transgender individuals from serving in the military is likely unconstitutional,” the court wrote.

Customers promised easy income, but got empty promises instead

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a consumer protection lawsuit today against a Massachusetts-based company, alleging it deceptively advertises and sells training packages to potentially thousands of Washingtonians for as much as $35,000 with promises of inside information on how to make money selling on Amazon.

EPA failed to meet ground-level ozone pollution deadline in October 

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson and 14 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit today accusing the Environmental Protection Agency of violating the Clean Air Act by delaying air quality standards for ground-level ozone pollution.

Ground-level ozone causes asthma and other respiratory problems. The EPA determined a new standard, adopted in 2015, would have public health benefits worth an estimated $2.9 billion to $5.9 billion.

Notice comes more than a year after discovery of the breach

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today filed a multi-million dollar consumer protection lawsuit against ride sharing company Uber, alleging thousands of violations of the state’s data breach notification law. Uber discovered a data breach potentially affecting 57 million passengers and drivers around the world, including the names and driver’s license numbers of at least 10,888 Uber drivers in Washington.

OLYMPIA — While many areas of the country are still reeling from the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Harvey, scam artists are now trying to sell flood-damaged vehicles here in Washington state. The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance estimates as many as 1 million vehicles flood-damaged vehicles could be sold to unsuspecting buyers nationwide.

AG proposes legislation based on report’s recommendations

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Ferguson today released a report recommending specific policies to reduce the supply of opioids in Washington state. The report recommends a comprehensive approach to the problem, addressing prevention, treatment and enforcement. Ferguson is also unveiling three opioid-related bills he will take to the Legislature in January.

Sam Adams company Hollystone Holdings pleads guilty to wage theft

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that former employees of West Seattle Athletic Club will receive restitution from their former employer’s company following Ferguson’s criminal wage theft case.

“Wage theft is a crime and I will not stand for violators who cheat working families out of their hard-earned wages,” Ferguson said. “I am pleased that Mr. Adams’ company was held accountable and my office has been successful in obtaining restitution for these workers.”

Annual awards recognize exceptional contributions of attorneys

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson recently honored Senior Counsel Carrie Hoon Wayno and the late Tacoma Torts Section Chief Glen Anderson with the Attorney General’s 2017 Steward of Justice Award.

The award, created in 1998 by then-Attorney General Christine Gregoire, recognizes employees who make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others, both personally and professionally.

Appeals court: Foundation’s position ‘would create a large loophole’ in reporting requirements

OLYMPIA — A Washington state appeals court unanimously ruled in favor of Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s campaign finance lawsuit against the Freedom Foundation, overturning the trial court’s decision to dismiss the case. The court sent the case back to the lower court for further proceedings.