OLYMPIA -- Washington’s Law Enforcement Group Against Identity Theft, better known as LEGIT, today announced Washington’s first statewide shred-a-thon. Events at 29 locations statewide will help raise awareness of identity theft prevention and assist the public in keeping sensitive documents out of the hands of crooks.
 

 Olympia… Secretary of State  Sam Reed and Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today a settlement has been reached in the federal court lawsuit filed by the Brennan Center for Justice in New York City.

The Secretary of State’s Office was sued in May 2006 for requiring that the identity of each voter registration applicant be verified before a person can become a registered voter and vote, as outlined in Washington State law.

VANCOUVER — A loan officer convicted of stealing more than $44,000 from homeowners as part of a program to pay off their mortgages today received an exceptional sentence of 68 months incarceration, $70,600 in restitution and a $10,000 fine, Attorney General Rob McKenna announced.

The Financial Crimes Unit of the state Attorney General’s Office brought charges against J. Anthony Hansen, 42, of Tacoma, in August 2005 at the request of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.

OLYMPIA…As the Legislature enters the second major phase of the 2007 session, Attorney General Rob McKenna was pleased all his 2007 priorities remain alive and continue to progress toward becoming law with several scheduled for hearings in the next few days.

“I thank the Legislature, Senators and Representatives from both political parties, for their support of my office’s top legislative priorities,” McKenna said. “Together we can improve state law for families, victims, seniors and communities.” 

Highlights:

OLYMPIA— Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced several new events as part of his "Operation: Allied Against Meth" campaign.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna announced a settlement today with three Washington-based businesses and their owners accused of taking unfair advantage of homeowners and other property owners facing tax foreclosure. At the same time, the office filed civil charges against two other individuals connected to the case.

McKenna said the defendants offered “foreclosure rescue” services targeted at Washington residents who had fallen behind on their property taxes. They obtained names and addresses of property owners through public records available from county treasurers.

Attorney General Rob McKenna announced that he will answer Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking.  The Surgeon General’s call accompanies a report that identifies underage drinking as a serious public health and safety problem that must be addressed early, continuously and in the context of human development. 

OLYMPIA…As the first legislative committee cut-off passes, all of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s legislative priorities continue to move through the process.

Highlights:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Rob McKenna will be meeting today with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to discuss legal and law enforcement issues facing the state of Washington– specifically gangs, methamphetamine and identity theft.

"The serious legal and law enforcement issues facing our state today call for a cooperative law enforcement approach," McKenna said. "Today’s meeting is a critical part of that process."

OLYMPIA– Attorney General Rob McKenna will personally testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow to demonstrate his strong support for legislation he requested to combat the activities of criminal gangs.

The request legislation from the Attorney General’s Office creates the new crime of tagging/gang graffiti, clearly defines “criminal gangs” and provides longer sentences for crimes committed by members of criminal gangs and those attempting to join criminal gangs.