AGO News Releases for 2013

Roberts brings federal prosecuting experience, Melroy brings budgeting and financial expertise Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today he has selected Darwin Roberts, a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), to serve as a Deputy Attorney General. Roberts will be one of five deputies who oversee a number of Attorney General’s Office (AGO) legal divisions and provide strategic leadership. Ferguson also announced the selection of Mark Melroy, Senior Legislative Analyst and former Budget Manager for the King County Council, as the Chief Financial Officer.

Former Whitcom 911 Employee Guild treasurer Emily Kirk of Pullman, Wash., today entered a guilty plea in Whitman County Superior Court after the Attorney General’s Office charged her with theft for stealing $13,910 from the guild. Kirk pled guilty to Theft in the First Degree and Forgery.  

More than 300,000 Washington state customers affected Today in King County Superior Court, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) filed a lawsuit against DISH Network for alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Act that cost as many as 300,000 Washington customers more than a dollar a month for eight months.

“Today we received confirmation Washington’s voter-approved marijuana law will be implemented. We received good news this morning when Attorney General Eric Holder told the governor the federal government would not pre-empt Washington and Colorado as the states implement a highly regulated legalized market for marijuana. Attorney General Holder made it clear the federal government will continue to enforce the federal Controlled Substance Act by focusing its enforcement on eight specific concerns, including the prevention of distribution to minors and the importance of keeping Washington-grown marijuana within our state’s borders. We share those concerns and are confident our state initiative will be implemented as planned.

A Spokane restaurant owner faces a felony theft charge alleging she defrauded the state of nearly $250,000 in workers’ compensation benefits over eight years while claiming she could not work.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is here to help safeguard consumers from fraud and unfair business practices — including providing information to help you confidently navigate the car buying process.

16,377 Washington state borrowers received relief Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that the five banks covered under the National Mortgage Settlement have reported providing over $1.2 billion dollars in consumer relief to Washington homeowners. As of June 30, 2013, according to the unaudited bank reports, 16,377 Washington state borrowers have received an average of $74,763 in consumer relief. This relief includes debt reduction loan modifications on first and second mortgages, lower interest rates on underwater mortgages, and transitional assistance for those unable to remain in their homes.

The Attorney General’s Office today released a formal Attorney General’s Opinion in response to a request by Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. Ranker asked if a public hospital district violates Initiative 120 if it solely contracts with a health care provider that does not provide reproductive care services such as contraception.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today he has selected David Horn, Assistant Regional Director for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and former Assistant Attorney General, to serve as his Chief Deputy, the highest ranking legal position in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced an important ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in the lengthy effort to build a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada.