AGO & BBB help consumers during Financial Literacy Month

SEATTLE—The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has teamed up with Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington for Financial Literacy Month.

Issues proposed revision to 2010 Consent Decree
AGO joint release with the Governor's Office and Department of Ecology

OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson today issued new demands to the U.S. Department of Energy to ensure timely Hanford cleanup in the form of a proposed plan to revise the 2010 Consent Decree. The proposal aims to prevent the federal government from delaying cleanup of Hanford’s radioactive and hazardous tank waste.

OLYMPIA—Trial starts today in Kitsap County Superior Court as the Attorney General’s Office seeks to keep a Kitsap County sex predator confined at Washington’s Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators.

Elmer “Todd” Gillis, 49, was convicted of three sexual offenses between 1983 and 1993. He has been continuously confined either at the Special Commitment Center or at the Secure Community Transition Facility on McNeil Island since 1997.

As allowed under the law, Gillis is now asking the court for unconditional release into the community.

Opinion states Initiative 1185 does not remove the Transportation Commission’s pre-existing authority to set ferry fares and toll rates

SEATTLE — Legal action taken by the Washington State Attorney General (AGO) against foreclosure trustee Quality Loan Service Corp. of Washington (QLS) has stopped unfair and deceptive business practices. QLS is one of the largest foreclosure trustees in Washington state.

It is estimated more than 450 homeowners will receive approximately $500 each.

In addition, a moratorium was placed on all QLS foreclosures on February 27 and will extend through April 3, 2014. The AGO estimates hundreds of homeowners will benefit from this moratorium.

New laws will help protect veterans against Pension Poacher scams and increase economic protections for military servicemembers

OLYMPIA —Two bills requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson to protect veterans and military families were signed into law today by Governor Jay Inslee. The bills received broad bipartisan support. The new laws will take effect June 12, 2014.
 
Economic protection for Washington’s military personnel and veterans

Requires training for thousands of public officials to improve transparency and reduce lawsuits

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s bill to strengthen Washington state’s open government laws by requiring training for public officials was signed into law today by Governor Jay Inslee with strong bipartisan support. The law takes effect July 1, 2014.

Ferguson worked with Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, and Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, to secure legislative approval of the “Open Government Trainings Act.”

UPDATE: 10/06/2016 - Indian police arrest 70 for targeting Americans in tax scam

SEATTLE — A fast-moving phone scam is targeting taxpayers across the country. Victims have reported threats of license suspension, arrest and deportation.

Shines light on dangers of mixing caffeine and alcohol

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that a multi-state settlement has been reached with Phusion Projects, LLC., Jaisen Freeman, Christopher Hunter, and Jeffrey Wright (collectively, “Phusion”).

Phusion markets and sells Four Loko, a flavored alcoholic malt beverage.

OLYMPIA — As donors consider contributing to relief efforts for the Snohomish County mudslide tragedy, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Secretary of State Kim Wyman are urging consumers to be on guard against scam artists who try to take advantage of the situation.

The officials joined forces with the Better Business Bureau in reminding consumers that rip-off artists follow news coverage of natural disasters like this one and swoop in under the guise of helping victims, but end up victimizing the well-intended donors.