Northwest First Choice latest company to settle in office’s ongoing campaign to clean up industry sales practices

VANCOUVER – A Vancouver-based exterior home remodeler that allegedly built up sales by misleading customers agrees to comply with state consumer protection laws. Northwest First Choice settled claims brought by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.

OLYMPIA–The Attorney General’s Office and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation recently settled an eight-year old lawsuit against the National Education Association (NEA), which alleged the organization illegally used fees paid to it by non-members for political purposes. The suit, filed in Thurston County Superior Court in October 2002, alleged the NEA violated a state law barring unions from using non-member fees for political purposes without permission.

OLYMPIA – A former habitat biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has been fined for multiple violations of the Ethics in Public Service Act.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Gary Ikeda, former senior legal counsel for Seattle Public Schools and a former deputy attorney general, will lead the Attorney General’s University of Washington Division.

TACOMA – Consumers who purchased vehicles from Baydo Chevrolet in Pierce County may be eligible for refunds of documentary fees. The Washington Attorney General’s Office announced an agreement that resolves concerns the dealership engaged in unfair and deceptive marketing practices.

OLYMPIA — A multi-state lawsuit challenging portions of the federal health care reform legislation will move forward, a Florida Judge ruled today.

The suit, brought by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, 18 other states, two individuals and the National Federation of Independent Business, alleged, among other things:

Yakima - Hundreds of prevention and treatment professionals, educators, youth, and volunteers from around the state will gather at the Washington State Prevention Summit, Oct. 14-16, in Yakima to learn the latest information about substance abuse and other destructive behaviors and how to prevent these problems in their schools and communities.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna will serve as Master of Ceremonies and welcoming speaker at the Opening Celebration from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

SEATTLE – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that his office has uncovered evidence that suggests foreclosure trustees are ignoring consumer protection laws in Washington, adding a new layer to a stack of problems reported in the mortgage-servicing industry.

Joint Release
WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

SEATTLE – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna and Scott Jarvis, director of the state Department of Financial Institutions, announced that they have joined attorneys general and banking regulators nationwide in forming a multistate group to investigate whether mortgage servicers have improperly submitted affidavits or other documents related to foreclosure in their states.

“Safe Call Now” addresses domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health 

BELLEVUE – Police officers, firefighters and other public safety officers often suffer personal problems caused by the tragedy they see on the job, leading to increased substance abuse, domestic violence and suicide rates. Employee assistance programs are under-utilized, as many officers believe that admitting to a problem will cost them their jobs.