State claims pop-up ads violated computer spyware and consumer protection laws

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced a settlement with a New York man that provides restitution to Washington state consumers who purchased the software program QuikShield Security. The agreement resolves allegations that James Lane enticed consumers to purchase his software through the use of pop-up ads that simulated Microsoft Internet Explorer alerts and that he failed to provide an easy method for consumers to remove the program from their computers.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that he and the Attorneys General of 46 other states plus the District of Columbia have reached an agreement with Blockbuster Inc., to settle allegations that the company misled consumers in the advertising of its “No Late Fee” program.

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.

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.”

OLYMPIA – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced his office will ask the United State Supreme Court to review the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in State ex rel. Public Disclosure Commission v. Washington Education Ass'n, et al.

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.

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.

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.

AG McKenna Asks Tellers for Help in Fighting Counterfeit Check Fraud

TACOMA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned consumers to beware of mail indicating you’ve won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. He asked bank tellers for their help in fighting counterfeit check scams.

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.