OLYMPIA… Attorney General Rob McKenna and Tony Rugel, head of the new Eastern Washington Medicaid Fraud Unit, today announced two new investigators will join the team on July 1.

“We know that between 30 and 40 percent of our Medicaid fraud cases are filed in Eastern Washington,” McKenna said. “It’s time to build on that success by increasing the number of investigators and making those investigators easily accessible to people in Eastern Washington.”

States Seek Relief for Consumers Harmed by Alleged Price-Fixing Conspiracy

OLYMPIA – In keeping with his long-standing commitment to fighting domestic violence, Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced the appointment of Investigator Larry McKnight as the office’s Domestic Violence Liaison, a half-time position created as a new resource for local communities.

McKnight, a 10-year veteran of the office, will now be available to all counties statewide to play a supporting role in virtually any aspect of domestic violence where the Attorney General’s Office can be of assistance to local communities.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned Washington residents about a phone scam in which the caller claims to work for the Department of Health.

Several Washington residents reported receiving unsolicited calls this week from someone claiming to work for the Washington State Department of Health. In each case, the caller indicated that the agency was offering some sort of incentive, such as a discount card for health services, a voucher good for prescriptions, or a $1,000 shopping spree.

Bogus ‘Debt Elimination Program’ Fails to Deliver Lower Interest Rates

SEATTLE – The Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission want a federal judge to order Debt Solutions, Inc., to stop charging consumers hundreds of dollars for a bogus “debt elimination program.”

The agencies jointly filed a complaint this month in U.S. District Court in Seattle, seeking civil penalties and injunctions for violations of federal and state consumer protection laws and the national Do Not Call rule.

TACOMA – David Huey, assistant attorney general for Washington state, today was honored with the prestigious Marvin Award from the National Association of Attorneys Generals (NAAG) for his work on consumer protection issues including nationwide settlements with two sub-prime mortgage lenders.

New survey reveals Internet users are bombarded by online attacks

Vancouver, WA – Vancouver senior Joe Macher’s Internet search started with a few simple words, “Free Kids Games.” Unfortunately, the files and programs his grandkids downloaded while they played online were anything but kids play.

“The games looked fun and innocent enough,” said Macher. “But in the background, someone was busy loading up my machine with spyware, adware and viruses.”

OLYMPIA– As the state’s top law enforcement officer, Attorney General Rob McKenna is introducing a series of bills this session to fight meth and protect children and communities against sex offenders.

McKenna worked with legislators from both parties on a package of sex offender bills recommended by the expert attorneys in the Attorney General’s Office Sexually Violent Predator unit.

Organized Crime Ring Dismantled – More than $500,000 in Stolen Property Recovered– Attorney General Rob McKenna and Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske today announced the conclusion of a vast organized crime investigation.

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Contact: Janelle Guthrie, AG Media Relations Director, (360) 586-0725

Seattle – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that he has promoted Senior Counsel Doug Walsh to chief of the Consumer Protection Division effective immediately.

“Doug Walsh has compiled an impressive, 25-year record of public service in state government with the last 16 years dedicated to fostering a fair and competitive marketplace for consumers and businesses,” McKenna said. “Time and time again, he has demonstrated his incredible dedication to the people of Washington while proving himself as a skilled litigator, respected supervisor, and confident leader.”