Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

McKenna statement on Washington Supreme Court decision on gay marriage

OLYMPIA - Attorney General Rob McKenna today made the following statement on the Washington State Supreme Court's decision in Andersen et al. v. King County et al.

"While this is a highly emotional day for people on both sides of this case, the Supreme Court's decision reflects its respect for the policy-making role of the Legislature," McKenna said. "It is the responsibility of the Office of Attorney General to defend, when challenged, every law of the state of Washington. Our office appreciates that the court upheld this law.

McKenna promotes AGO chief prosecutor to Chief Deputy post

OLYMPIA - Attorney General Rob McKenna has promoted Chief Criminal Prosecutor Brian Moran from the Seattle Criminal Justice Division to Chief Deputy Attorney General effective August 1.

“Brian Moran is one of the most experienced and respected attorneys in the Attorney General’s Office and one of the top prosecutors in the state,” McKenna said. “His superb legal skills and strong management experience make him an excellent fit for this new leadership role.”

Assistant Attorney General Penny Allen Receives 2006 WSBA Angelo Petruss Award

OLYMPIA - Assistant Attorney General and Senior Counsel Penny L. Allen will receive the 2006 Washington State Bar Association’s Angelo Petruss Award for Lawyers in Public Service.

The award was named in honor of the late Angelo R. Petruss, a senior assistant attorney general who passed away during his term of service on the WSBA Board of Governors. It is given each year to a lawyer in government service who has made a significant contribution to the legal profession, the justice system, and the public.

Consumer Alert: E-mail Scam Illegally Uses Washington’s Lottery Name and Logo

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna and Washington’s Lottery warned Washington residents about an illegal e-mail scam that use the Washington Lottery name and logo.

The spam e-mail notifies the recipient they have won $2.4 million in cash and must pay $995 in "Gaming Commission Charges" to process the winnings. Some versions of the e-mail request a check; in other cases, the sender requests a MoneyGram money order from Rennies Foreign Exchange.

Consumer Alert: Veterans Should Take Precautions While Data Breach Investigation Continues

SEATTLE – The recovery of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs laptop stolen in a May burglary is good news, said Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, but he said veterans and active-duty military whose personal information was stored on the computer should continue to take precautions until the investigation is complete.

Consumer Alert: Credit Freeze Available for Washington Veterans Whose Personal Information Was Stolen in Data Breach

OLYMPIA – Washington veterans and active-duty military whose personal information was potentially compromised in the recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data security breach have the ability to request a credit report security freeze to help protect themselves from identity theft.

Attorney General Rob McKenna said that while there have been no reports that the stolen data has been used for identity theft, Washington veterans and military should take prudent steps to protect themselves from potential harm. A credit freeze is one of the strongest options available to them.

Media Advisory: Attorney General to testify on “Operation: Allied Against Meth” bill Monday

OLYMPIA–Attorney General Rob McKenna will present the “Operation: Allied Against Meth” task force legislation to the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee Monday. Members of the “Operation: Allied Against Meth” task force and others law enforcement officials have been invited to join him both at the hearing and at a media availability shortly before the hearing begins.

NEWS ADVISORY: McKenna to argue his first case before state Supreme Court as Attorney General

OLYMPIA - Attorney General Rob McKenna will personally present the state’s arguments next Tuesday in Madison v. State of Washington. It will be his first argument as attorney general before the Washington Supreme Court.

The state seeks to overturn King County Superior Court Judge Michael Spearman’s ruling that Washington’s current felon disenfranchisement law is unconstitutional because it requires felons to complete all the terms of their sentences– including payment of financial obligations such as crime victims' restitution– before they regain their right to vote.