OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Attorney General Bob Ferguson are reminding Washingtonians to make smart choices when giving money to charity and avoid unscrupulous solicitors during the upcoming holidays and afterward.

The two statewide officials who deal most closely with charities are also sharing tips on how to “Give Smart.”

Company pressured pharmacies to downplay risk to patients

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced Washington has reached an agreement in principle Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s kickback scheme to promote its drug, Exjade. The final agreement is pending execution by the company, and would provide Washington with $1.2 million in Medicaid reimbursement, which will be shared with the federal government.

“My job as Attorney General is to uphold the will of the voters.  That is why, throughout this process, I have defended the charter school initiative approved by the voters of Washington state.

“The Supreme Court’s opinion of September 4, 2015 in League of Women Voters of Wash. v. State was overbroad.

“Regardless of one’s opinion about charter schools, the original opinion endangered important programs such as Running Start, tribal compact schools, and vocational education. 

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson, joined by eight fellow attorneys general from around the country, today urged the nation's largest credit card issuers to speed up implementation of secure chip and PIN technology. Chip and PIN is widely considered a more secure means of processing credit card transactions than traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards and thus an important safeguard against fraud and identity theft.

Award recognizes attorneys with exceptional achievements early in their careers

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson has selected eight Assistant Attorneys General to receive the 2015 William V. Tanner Award for outstanding achievements early in their careers. Ferguson established the award in 2013 in honor of the youngest Attorney General in state history.

Award recognizes extraordinary contributions to furthering justice in Washington

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson recently honored Senior Assistant Attorney General Dave Stolier and Senior Counsel Fronda Woods with the Attorney General’s 2015 Steward of Justice Award. The award recognizes assistant attorneys general who further the cause of justice through exceptional legal work and extraordinary contributions to the people of Washington.   

Agreement with Pennsylvania-based company secures reforms, debt-relief for former Argosy University and The Art Institute students

On July 22 and 29, 2015, the Attorney General’s Office received letters from members of the State House of Representatives and the State Senate, respectively, requesting that the AGO conduct an investigation of Planned Parenthood. 

Washington consumers will receive full restitution

SEATTLE — Following a legal victory in August, Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced a $418,000 judgment has been entered against a student loan debt adjusting company that overcharged Washington state students and collected unlawful fees.

SEATTLE — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson released the following joint statement today:

"The cash program announced today by Volkswagen appears to be a goodwill gesture and nothing more.

“It in no way diminishes the seriousness of the deceptive practices and environmental harms that are the subject of the states' investigation, or the determination of the Attorneys General of 48 jurisdictions to hold Volkswagen to account for its conduct.”