Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

Attorney General’s legal action against Quality Loan Service results in payment to homeowners, delays foreclosures and stops deceptive practices

SEATTLE — Legal action taken by the Washington State Attorney General (AGO) against foreclosure trustee Quality Loan Service Corp. of Washington (QLS) has stopped unfair and deceptive business practices. QLS is one of the largest foreclosure trustees in Washington state.

It is estimated more than 450 homeowners will receive approximately $500 each.

In addition, a moratorium was placed on all QLS foreclosures on February 27 and will extend through April 3, 2014. The AGO estimates hundreds of homeowners will benefit from this moratorium.

Attorney General’s bills to protect veterans and military families signed into law

New laws will help protect veterans against Pension Poacher scams and increase economic protections for military servicemembers

OLYMPIA —Two bills requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson to protect veterans and military families were signed into law today by Governor Jay Inslee. The bills received broad bipartisan support. The new laws will take effect June 12, 2014.
 
Economic protection for Washington’s military personnel and veterans

Attorney General’s open government bill signed into law

Requires training for thousands of public officials to improve transparency and reduce lawsuits

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s bill to strengthen Washington state’s open government laws by requiring training for public officials was signed into law today by Governor Jay Inslee with strong bipartisan support. The law takes effect July 1, 2014.

Ferguson worked with Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, and Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, to secure legislative approval of the “Open Government Trainings Act.”

Attorneys General prohibit Four Loko from targeting young adults in alcohol ads

Shines light on dangers of mixing caffeine and alcohol

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that a multi-state settlement has been reached with Phusion Projects, LLC., Jaisen Freeman, Christopher Hunter, and Jeffrey Wright (collectively, “Phusion”).

Phusion markets and sells Four Loko, a flavored alcoholic malt beverage.

CONSUMER ALERT: Wash. officials warn of consumer rip-offs by mudslide charity scams

OLYMPIA As donors consider contributing to relief efforts for the Snohomish County mudslide tragedy, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Secretary of State Kim Wyman are urging consumers to be on guard against scam artists who try to take advantage of the situation.

The officials joined forces with the Better Business Bureau in reminding consumers that rip-off artists follow news coverage of natural disasters like this one and swoop in under the guise of helping victims, but end up victimizing the well-intended donors.

Attorney General Ferguson offers statement on Oso mudslide

OLYMPIA Attorney General Bob Ferguson today issued the following statement regarding the Oso mudslide near Arlington, Wash.

“On behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, my heart goes out to the friends and families of those lost in the Oso landslide as well as those who have not yet been rescued. We are grateful for our first responders and for all who continue to work tirelessly to locate missing residents and protect against future disasters.”

- 30 -

Attorney General’s investigation results in O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. extending health benefits to same-sex spouses

Fortune 500 company will adopt new policy effective April 1, 2014

SEATTLE — After Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a petition in court regarding its investigation of O’Reilly Automotive Inc.’s policy of not providing healthcare benefits to the same-sex spouses of its Washington employees, O’Reilly announced it will now extend healthcare coverage to same-sex spouses of its employees in Washington and other states recognizing marriage equality. This new healthcare policy is effective April 1, 2014.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s statement on meeting with U.S. Dept. of Energy Secretary, Governor regarding Hanford cleanup

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Bob Ferguson made the following statement regarding his meeting this morning with Energy Secretary Ernie Moniz and Governor Jay Inslee regarding progress on Hanford cleanup.
 
“The Attorney General’s Office has a long-standing commitment to the people of Washington to hold the federal government legally accountable for environmental cleanup at Hanford.