AGO News Releases

Attorney General McKenna reminds parents to view video game ratings

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today reminded parents of the importance of reading video game ratings to ensure that content is suitable for their children. The Attorney General’s Office has received a couple of recent complaints from consumers concerned about violent and sexually explicit content in popular video games.

McKenna receives PTA’s “Friend of Children” Award

Thu, 08 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna was honored with the Washington State PTA’s “Friend of Children” Award during its 95th Annual Convention in SeaTac on Saturday. The award is the highest given by the Washington State PTA, and is presented to a group or individual performing outstanding work on behalf of children throughout the year.

Attorney General McKenna announces nationwide agreement with Facebook to protect kids online

Thu, 08 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

OLYMPIA – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Facebook has agreed to take significant steps to better protect children on its Web site. McKenna joined attorneys general nationwide in signing an agreement with Facebook, in which they emphasize their shared goal of protecting children from inappropriate content and unwanted contact by adults.

Free shredding in Bellingham on May 12 during Attorney General’s identity theft prevention tour

Tue, 06 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

BELLINGHAM – Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit Bellingham Monday, May 12, to promote identity theft prevention and assist the public in keeping sensitive documents out of the hands of crooks. Sound Shredding and Recycling will destroy papers for consumers and small businesses at no charge.

Free forums offer help for manufactured home owners and landlords

Mon, 05 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SPOKANE – A new state government program is helping resolve disputes between manufactured home owners and their landlords. A statewide tour titled “Don’t Move It; Solve It,” includes three stops this month in Eastern Washington to educate homeowners and landlords about their legal rights and how the Attorney General’s Office can help them resolve problems.

Judge finds Internet affiliate advertisers violated Washington spyware law

Fri, 02 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced another win in the state’s fight to protect consumers from online fraud. A King County Superior Court Judge found that Internet affiliate advertisers Securelink Networks, LLC, and NJC Softwares, LCC, and their officers violated Washington’s consumer protection and spyware laws while marketing registry-cleaner software.

Letter: McKenna voices concern about Air Force contract

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna has sent a letter to United States Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne expressing his disappointment about the decision to award the Air Force tanker refueling contract to foreign-based conglomerate Northrupp Grummon/Airbus, despite Boeing's exceptionally competitive proposal.

McKenna, Gregoire to honor Medal of Honor recipients Friday

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna and Gov. Chris Gregoire will honor two law enforcement officers at this year’s Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony on Friday, May 2-- Deputy Michael O. Estes, Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Gary Shilley, Puyallup Police Department.

Promoters of online freebies agree to stop selling in Washington

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Two online companies that promised consumers “free” big-ticket items but required them to pay for trial offers and subscriptions must pay $55,000 in civil penalties under a settlement announced today by the Washington Attorney General’s Office. Under the terms of the settlement, SubscriberBASE Holdings, Inc., of Columbia, S.C., and SubscriberBASE, Inc., can no longer offer such promotions to Washington residents. The companies also agreed to refund more than 35,000 Washington consumers who paid for products and services in order to qualify for the so-called “free” items.

AG McKenna announces settlement with eBay magazine subscription seller

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – A defunct business that sold magazines on eBay agreed to refund consumers who never received their orders, under a settlement announced today by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. The Attorney General’s Office sued Cheapest-Magz, which formerly operated in Bremerton then California, and its owners Wilmyr Dagohoy and Eireen Ejem-Dagohoy, in October 2007, alleging that their practices violated the state Consumer Protection Act.

Attorney General’s Public Counsel and other consumer groups oppose Puget Sound Energy’s request to raise rates even more

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Weeks after Puget Sound Energy informed customers by mail that it wants to raise gas and electric rates, the company is seeking more money – nearly $6 million more than its original request. The Public Counsel Section of the Attorney General’s Office, which represents residential and small business customers, is opposing PSE’s request and today filed a response with the state Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Two other consumer groups – The Energy Project, an advocacy group for limited-income consumers, and the Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities – have joined Public Counsel’s opposition.

Free shredding in Redmond on Friday during Attorney General’s identity theft prevention tour

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit Redmond on Friday, April 25, to promote identity theft prevention and assist the public in keeping sensitive documents out of the hands of crooks. Frontline will be on site to destroy sensitive documents for consumers and small businesses at no charge.

Foreclosure rescue company must refund 200 Washington consumers

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Approximately 200 Washington consumers who paid for a service that they thought would help save their homes from foreclosure will receive partial refunds under a new settlement announced today by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.

New study finds gas price differences due to regional markets, not manipulation

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE -- Attorney General Rob McKenna today released the final results from the state’s year-long investigation into gas prices. The investigation, which included an in-depth analysis of factors influencing prices at the pump, found variations across Washington communities are due to the cost of obtaining and transporting fuel to stations and local competition – not illegal price manipulation. Increasing worldwide demand for oil and an inability for regional refineries to meet local supply demands are the primary contributors to erratically climbing prices, experts added.

National City Commercial Capital to reduce debt for former NorVergence telecommunications customers

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE – Six small businesses in Washington state that lost phone and Internet services when their telecommunications provider, NorVergence, Inc., went bankrupt in 2004 will not have to pay the full amount due on their rental contracts, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office announced today.