Joint Release from ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB MCKENNA and the OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL

OLYMPIA – Thousands of Washington apartment homes and hotels may be especially vulnerable to fire. The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office says up to 500,000 fire sprinkler heads in Washington may be defective – and officials don’t know where they are located.

TACOMA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned businesses to beware of traveling salesmen who fraudulently claim to be federal government representatives and use coercive tactics to sell labor law posters. Cons were recently reported in the Tacoma area.

“Labor law posters are available for free from state and federal government agencies,” McKenna said. “Businesses can legally sell labor law posters provided they don’t deceive potential customers.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned Washington homeowners and businesses to beware of cons claiming to repair your driveway. Scammers have been reported in communities across Washington, most recently in the Vancouver and Tacoma areas.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna will headline a 15-city statewide tour on identity theft this summer and fall to educate business owners and consumers on how to keep their personal data safe.  Guard it! Washington is a partnership of the Attorney General’s Office, Federal Trade Commission and AARP.

The 15-city Guard it! Washington identity theft tour will kick off July 12 in Yakima and end on Oct. 18 in Oak Harbor just prior to the Attorney General’s participation in the Washington Credit Union League’s statewide shred-a-thon on Oct. 24.

ATLANTA… This week at the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) summer meeting in Atlanta, Attorney General Rob McKenna received updates on the multi-state effort to rid social networking sites like MySpace.com of sexual predators, led negotiations over payments due to the states under the national tobacco master settlement and accepted a NAAG “Best Brief” award for the office’s reply brief in the Washington v. WEA case.

Thousands of Washington Consumers Eligible for Refunds

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that thousands of Washington consumers are eligible for refunds under a settlement with the operators of www.privasafe.com and www.surfsafeinternetservices.com that could ultimately cost the defendants $1 million.

SEATTLE – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office today ventured into the blogosphere. The Attorney General’s Office launched “All Consuming,” a blog dedicated to consumer protection issues that has a less formal tone than some people might associate with a government agency or law office.

“A blog gives us an opportunity to communicate in a new, in-the-moment way to an Internet-savvy audience,” McKenna said. “Check out ‘All Consuming’ for consumer-friendly advice that is anything but stuffy, dry or boring.”

TACOMA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Gretchen Leanderson has been promoted to division chief of the Tacoma Division effective June 18.

As she steps up to replace Linda Moran as chief, Gretchen brings 20 years of experience with the Attorney General’s Office.  As the lead, she hopes to continue the positive progression in Tacoma.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced a settlement with Coranda Living Trust Services and its owner, Stephen Cuccia, Jr., in which the former Sumner resident agreed to provide refunds to Washington residents who purchased estate planning products. The agreement resolves allegations that Cuccia made misleading statements in order to sell living trusts and insurance annuities to at least 70 seniors.

SEATTLE—Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna won his first case before the U.S. Supreme Court today, persuading the Court to unanimously uphold a state initiative requiring unions to obtain prior permission from non-members before using their representation fees for political purposes.