Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

MULTI LEVEL MARKETING FIRM TO STOP EXAGGERATING INCOME CLAIMS

SPOKANE---Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that a Nevada multi-level marketing company has agreed to stop exaggerating income claims to potential Washington distributors of its products.

Equinox International Corporation, a nationwide distributor of various health and beauty products and water filter systems, signed an Assurance of Discontinuance (AOD) with Washington and 13 other states. The agreement requires the company to substantiate all claims of profit and product performance in its advertising to distributors.

LEVITZ FURNITURE SETTLES WITH WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL

SEATTLE Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that Levitz Furniture Corporation has agreed to pay nearly $1.2 million to Washington and seven other states to settle claims for advertising deceptive discounts off its "regular" furniture prices.  

"Sales advertised by Levitz often were based on illusion, not real savings," said Gregoire. "Regular prices were inflated and then reduced, often giving customers little or no savings at all."  

Where Are Your Charity Dollars Going?

OLYMPIA - With the holidays just around the corner, two Washington state officials are suggesting that you check into exactly where your charitable contributions are going before you make a donation.

Related Files:
Commercial Fundraisers Charity Client List (Listed by Lowest Percentage to Charity Clients)

Currently Unregistered Commercial Fundraisers (Listed by Lowest Percentage to Charity Clients)

AG Files Suit Against Charitable Fundraisers As Part of a Nationwide Fraud Sweep

SEATTLE - Nov. 12, 1998 - The Attorney General's Office today filed lawsuits against three charitable fundraisers for misleading the public about donations they solicited on behalf of several charitable causes. The lawsuits are part of a nationwide crackdown on charities fraud called Operation Missed Giving that involves 40 states, the Federal Trade Commission, and the American Association of Retired Persons.

State Prevails in First Spam Case

SEATTLE - In another significant victory for Washington's anti-spam law, A King County Superior Court judge today declared that misleading commercial e-mail sent to millions of people violated Washington's 1998 statute.

The case against Jason Heckel of Salem, Ore., was the first filed by the Attorney General's Office under the state's1998 Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act, which prohibits e-mail that contains deceptive subject lines, misrepresents the e-mail's point of origin or uses a third party's domain name without permission.

Statement on Intertanko ruling

November 18, 1996 - Washington's Chief Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Mix is pleased with today's U.S. District Court decision upholding the Washington law requiring oil tankers to follow state oil spill prevention regulations. The law requires oil tankers to employ the best achievable protections to safeguard Puget Sound.

Spammers Are Target of AG Lawsuit

SEATTLE - July 11, 2002 - Attorney General Christine Gregoire today filed a lawsuit against two Minnesota men whose e-mail pitches for debt consolidation services could mislead some people to think their credit ratings are at risk.
 
The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, accuses Samuel and Adam Meltzer and their companies, Chippynet.com and Mobydns.com, of sending possibly thousands of deceptive e-mails to Washington residents in violation of the state's groundbreaking anti-spam law.