OLYMPIA - Attorney General Christine Gregoire today warned Washington consumers to beware of "pyramid" schemes that promise participants they will get rich quick.

 
SEATTLE - September 1, 1999 - The Consumer Privacy Workgroup, appointed by Attorney General Christine Gregoire, will hold two public hearings next week for citizens to voice their concerns about consumer-privacy issues, including the collection and distribution of personal information by businesses.

The first hearing will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 7-9 p.m. in Room 110 of Kane Hall on the University of Washington Campus. The second hearing will be in Spokane on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 5-7 p.m. in Lounges A and B at Spokane Falls Community College.

SEATTLE - May 25, 1999- Attorney General Christine Gregoire said today a settlement of an antitrust lawsuit against Toys "R" Us and two toy manufacturers will provide more than $600,000 worth of toys to needy Washington families. Toy’s R Us, the nations largest toy retailer, and the manufacturers will donate more than $33 million in toys and pay $13 million to settle lawsuits filed by Washington and other states.

Gregoire said Washington will receive toys valued at over $672,770. The toys will be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots Foundation.

OLYMPIA -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire has urged Congress to reject proposed legislation that would exempt the U.S. Department of Defense from major national environmental laws governing air quality and toxic waste cleanup on military bases.

In a letter to key congressional committees, Gregoire and 38 attorneys general said the sweeping exemptions being requested by DOD are not justified, and would severely impact the states' authority to protect the health of citizens and the environment.

Seattle -November 4, 1999- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today filed suit against Microworkz.com, a Lynnwood-based seller of computer equipment, for violating state consumer protection laws including failing to deliver computer equipment as ordered.

"This company generated lots of excitement when it offered a bare-bones, low cost personal computer," said Gregoire, "But that quickly turned sour when they failed to deliver what they promised."

SEATTLE December 10, 1998 - Washington's settlement with one of the defendants in an antitrust suit against three national toymakers and a toy retailer will mean a happier holiday season for thousands of the less-fortunate children statewide. 
 

Seattle - March 1, 2001 - In the wake of Wednesday’s 6.8 earthquake that rattled the Puget Sound region, consumers must be particularly vigilant to protect themselves from fraudulent home repair scams and charity appeals.

The Attorney General’s office recommends that consumers faced with making home repairs take a few minutes to take the same precautions they would under normal circumstances. A little bit of care now can save a consumer major headaches down the road.

For instance, consumers:

Olympia -October 19, 1999- As part of a nationwide effort to reduce the effects of violent entertainment on children, Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced two new anti-violence resources for parents.
 

OLYMPIA -- In a Washington state case argued by the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Supreme Court this week issued a unanimous opinion that will protect police officers from false-arrest allegations if they misstate the reason why a suspect is being arrested.

Olympia -2/28/01- Governor Gary Locke and Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced the formation of a Risk Management Task Force to address an increase in state tort lawsuits and payouts.

In the last ten years there has been an 80 percent increase in tort lawsuits against the state and payouts, which for five years averaged about $22 million, soared to more than $65 million in 2000.

The group will assess the state's risk management programs and look for ways to reduce or mitigate risk.