Vessel sunk near Finley, discharged fuel and oil into Columbia, cleanup exceeds $100K

KENNEWICK—Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced criminal charges today in Benton County District Court against the owner of a former salmon fishing trawler who abandoned his sunken vessel in the Columbia River near Finley, Wash. in July 2013. This is the first state-initiated derelict vessel prosecution in Eastern Washington.

Consumers encouraged to file claims to receive share of $310M settlement

Estimated $500,000 returned to Washington state agencies

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that consumers may now file claims to recover money from the manufacturers of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) computer chips. These consumer payments will settle multi-state antitrust allegations that the manufacturers conspired to fix prices.

Woman billed Medicaid in Washington more than $87,000 while living in Nevada

OLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s Office on Friday filed charges in Thurston County Superior Court against a woman the state alleges billed Washington Medicaid for more than $87,000 in healthcare provider services while living in Nevada.
 
Prosecutors with the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) charged Peggy Ruth Kerr with one count of First Degree Theft and one count of Medicaid False Statement.

SEATTLE — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau are partnering up for National Consumer Protection Week, March 2-8.  Both agencies are committed to providing Washingtonians with tools to protect themselves against growing scams and helping people make better purchasing decisions.

SEATTLE — A new email phishing scam making the rounds nationwide has hit Washington state, and this one is disguised as a utility bill.

Washington consumers have reported receiving emails that appear to be statements from a legitimate utility company, notifying the recipient that their bill is “due upon receipt” or “past due.”

OLYMPIA—The Attorney General’s Office will make opening statements today in a trial to determine whether a Skagit County sex predator should remain confined at Washington’s Special Commitment Center.

OLYMPIA—Colville Police Officer Rex Newport today pleaded guilty to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after several women accused him of sexual misconduct while on duty.

According to charging papers, the first woman to come forward reported being sexually assaulted by Newport at her apartment in Colville in March 2013. The woman reported he handcuffed her and then later had sexual intercourse with her. The woman went to the hospital for a sexual assault examination and reported the incident to the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).

A joint news release between the Washington Department of Labor & Industries and the Attorney General's Office

TUMWATER — The Attorney General’s Office has charged a Pierce County landscaper with failing to pay workers’ compensation insurance after one of his employees was injured on the job.

OLYMPIA—The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is making opening statements this afternoon in a trial to determine whether a Snohomish County sex offender should be confined to Washington’s Special Commitment Center (SCC). 

Calvin Malone, 62, was convicted of Rape of a Child in the First Degree and two counts of Child Molestation in the First Degree in 1993. He was originally scheduled for release on Sept. 24, 2012, before the AGO filed for his civil commitment.

SEATTLE — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has recovered $20,000 from Rudy O. Corella, Jr., owner of Ultra Mega Corp to resolve allegations that Ultra Mega Corp engaged in a number of deceptive business practices in violation of the Washington state Consumer Protection Act.