SEATTLE – The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the Industrial Customers of NW Utilities (ICNU) today challenged electric and gas rate increases proposed by Avista.

Avista’s original request, filed with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) in March 2008, would have generated an additional $43.2 million in revenues ($36.6 million from electric customers and $6.6 million from gas customers).

SEATTLE – The Washington Attorney General’s Office announced a settlement today with an Auburn business that sold precious metals online but allegedly failed to deliver the items by the promised date.

“Silence may be golden but not when consumers are waiting to hear when their precious metals will be delivered,” Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “Today’s settlement requires that Northwest Territorial Mint honor its promises to deliver on time or offer a fair refund.”

OLYMPIA--Attorney General Rob McKenna today joined 24 other state Attorneys General in urging MillerCoors, LLC to abandon its plan to introduce a new alcoholic energy drink -- Sparks Red -- that contains significantly boosted alcohol content.

Republican state attorneys general urge GOP senators to support federal reporter shield

OLYMPIA--Attorney General Rob McKenna and 12 other Republican state attorneys general this week applied a little peer pressure to Republican senators, urging them to support a law that limits the federal government’s ability to force reporters to reveal their confidential sources.

OLYMPIA –A Grays Harbor woman is accused of fraudulently billing the state for 13 months of in-care for a Medicaid recipient. The problem, according to the Attorney General’s Office, is that she was married to him.

State law prohibits individuals from receiving taxpayer dollars for providing in-home care to a disabled spouse.  Guerrero married her client, Mark Dowell, on March 18, 2006.

Lawsuit aims to put the skids on company’s deceptive sales practices

GOLDENDALE – A Klickitat County couple who sold motorcycle parts on the Internet are accused of taking their customers for a ride. The Washington Attorney General’s Office alleges Slade and Shawna Kitchens, of Dallesport, violated the state’s consumer protection law by failing to ship orders, provide refunds or obtain required business licenses.

Attorney General’s Office claims Eastern Washington dealerships broke consumer protection laws

WENATCHEE – The Washington State Attorney General’s Office hopes an agreement with two Eastern Washington businesses will drive home an important message to all car dealers: When encouraging buyers to sign on the dotted line, employees must play it straight.

Online Divorce agrees to stop providing legal advice to Washington residents

OLYMPIA – In an era of drive-through wedding chapels and even quicker divorces, it’s still possible to reach a roadblock. The Attorney General’s Office, which announced a settlement today with a company that advertised online divorce services, says Washington residents should check out the credentials of those who provide legal guidance and resources.

SEATTLE – Local law enforcement agencies are seeing a disturbing number of crimes committed against some of the state’s most vulnerable targets: the elderly and those with mental or physical disabilities.