Asks court to confirm injunction blocks new Executive Order, President bears burden to demonstrate otherwise

SEATTLE — In documents filed in federal court Thursday, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson contends that the injunction he obtained blocking key sections of President Trump’s previous immigration Executive Order applies to the new version.

BBB Teams Up with Local Agencies to Educate Consumers  

DUPONT — Better Business Bureau serving the Northwest is partnering with agencies across the state to support National Consumer Protection Week, March 5-11. The annual campaign, celebrating 19 years, educates the public about their consumer rights and gives them access to free consumer-related resources to help them use their money wisely.

Hundreds of thousands allowed to travel after Wash. and Minn. obtained injunction

OLYMPIA — In the wake of President Trump conceding defeat on key provisions of his original Executive Order, Attorney General Bob Ferguson today pledged to scrutinize the Trump Administration’s revised travel ban.

The Administration’s reversal in reaction to a federal court challenge by Ferguson represents an important victory for Washington families, businesses and universities — and the rule of law.

“By rescinding his earlier Executive Order, President Trump makes one thing perfectly clear: His original travel ban was indefensible — legally, constitutionally and morally.

“The President has capitulated on numerous key provisions blocked by our lawsuit, including bans on Green Card holders, visa holders and dual citizens, an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees, and explicit preferences based on religion.

“We are carefully reviewing the new Executive Order to determine its impacts on Washington State and our next legal steps.

OLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s Office has filed a petition in Thurston County Superior Court seeking to civilly commit an Olympia-area sex offender and prevent his release into the community. 

Elmer Anderson, 62, has four convictions for sexually violent offenses.  In 1988, he was convicted of two counts of indecent liberties against a child under age 14 in King County. Later that year, he was convicted of the same offense in Whatcom County, and in 2001, Anderson was convicted of child molestation first degree in Thurston County.

Washington leads multi-state effort supporting legal protections

OLYMPIA — Late yesterday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson led a coalition of 18 states and the District of Columbia in urging the United States Supreme Court to uphold a lower court ruling recognizing the right of a transgender student in Virginia to use the school bathroom corresponding to his gender identity.  

Legislation provides resources for student borrowers, standards for loan servicers

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Student Loan Bill of Rights legislation passed the Washington House of Representatives on Wednesday with bipartisan support.

House Bill 1440 establishes baseline standards for student loan servicers, in addition to creating a student loan ombuds to help resolve student complaints and to educate borrowers about student loans.

$18M penalty previously awarded, largest in US history

Bomb threat at Stroum Center latest in string of anti-Semitic acts around the country

OLYMPIA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued the following statement after a bomb threat Monday afternoon forced the evacuation of the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island:

“These types of threats have absolutely no place in our society. This was an act of cowardice and intimidation.

Bipartisan bill addressing neglect, financial exploitation passes by 92-4 margin

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s bipartisan legislation to combat both financial exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults in Washington state passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 92-4.

The measure, House Bill 1153, now heads to the Senate.