OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced an agreement with the owner of the Haggen grocery store chain that ensures laid-off workers will receive their pay on time. 

The company, Haggen Holdings, LLC, is currently in bankruptcy proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.  As part of those proceedings, on Thursday the company filed a motion seeking relief from “Fast Pay” laws in the states in which it plans to close stores.

The Attorney General’s Office today announced that it has filed a complaint in Thurston County Superior Court alleging campaign finance violations by Service Employees International Healthcare 775NW (SEIU 775) and SEIU 775 Quality Care Committee (SEIU 775 PAC).  Specifically, the AG alleges that SEIU 775 and SEIU 775 PAC failed to timely and properly file reports of in-kind and monetary contributions as required under the state’s campaign finance laws.

SEATTLE — Today, Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a Motion for Reconsideration asking the Washington Supreme Court to reexamine its recent ruling declaring charter schools unconstitutional.

At least 59 consumers due $50,000

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced a $304,994.51 default judgment against the former operators of a Seattle venue who booked events, including many weddings, knowing the space would be unavailable.

The Cranes’ business, EM Fine Art, had hosted events at a South Lake Union gallery.

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson yesterday announced the official launch of the newly established Wing Luke Civil Rights Unit within the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. The announcement was made at an event at the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle’s International District.
 

Court awards $234K in penalties and restitution

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a Friday court order against EC New Horizons and EC Horizons requiring repeat offenders Edwin Cruz and Maurice Terry to pay $234,000. Cruz and Terry provided unlawful immigration assistance to over 400 Washington victims. The resolution includes $149,000 in money back for victims.

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that the State will file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Washington Supreme Court in the case of League of Women Voters of Wash. v. State. The decision not only invalidates Initiative 1240, but also unnecessarily calls into question the constitutionality of a wide range of other state educational programs.

(Photo information: Attorney General Bob Ferguson stands at a podium to announce a lawsuit against CareOne Dental, accused of $1 million in Medicaid fraud. He is joined by Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Deputy Director Mike Pellicciotti, left, and lead attorney Assistant Attorney General Walter Smith, center. Location: Attorney General's Office, Vancouver)

SEATTLE — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has released the following statement:
 
“Today, pursuant to RCW 43.10.232, I received a letter from Governor Inslee requesting that my office conduct a review of the charging decision by the Franklin County Prosecutor in the death of Antonio Zambrano-Montes.

OLYMPIA — A new joint legislative audit report encourages the Legislature to renew its Medicaid False Claims Act (FCA), noting its highly effective use by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in the three years since its original passage. The preliminary report will be the subject of a legislative hearing tomorrow.