US Supreme Court strikes down DOMA, clears way for same sex couples in CA to marry
 
OLYMPIA— Today, the US Supreme Court issued two important rulings for marriage equality.
 
“Today is a great day for marriage equality both in Washington state and across the country,” Ferguson said.
 

OLYMPIA—Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today urged the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to strengthen federal Military Lending Act (MLA) regulations to better protect servicemembers from abusive lending practices.

“As someone who comes from a family of veterans, I am proud the Office of Attorney General supports and stands up for our military personnel and their families,” said Ferguson. “Strengthening the protections under the Military Lending Act will help make sure those who defend our country are guarded against predatory lenders.”

SEATTLE — The Public Counsel Unit of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) today challenged the electric rate increases proposed by PacifiCorp, which operates in Washington as Pacific Power and Light Company.

The Portland-based utility is requesting rates that would generate an additional $42.8 million in revenue from its Washington electric customers. Public Counsel believes the rate request is too high.  

OLYMPIA… Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the latest report by the national monitor on the progress of five servicers subject to the National Mortgage Settlement shows success, but much work remains.

“The monitor’s report is clear that progress has been made, but more work needs to be done,” Ferguson said.  “The monitor is proving to be tough but fair, and working hard to improve servicer performance.

OLYMPIA— The Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has charged an Otis Orchards woman with one count of 1st degree theft and two counts of making a false statement to obtain a Medicaid payment.

Chanell Robin Flock was paid to provide medical care for multiple Medicaid recipients, but the state alleges she billed Medicaid nearly $30,000 for care not actually provided for three different recipients from January 2007 through October 2011.

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Bob Ferguson offered his condolences as friends, colleagues and family of Sen. Mike Carrell honor him at his public memorial on Monday, June 10. 

“Sen. Carrell dedicated his legislative career to protecting youth and promoting justice,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “The people of Washington will miss his passion and dedication. On behalf of all of us at the Attorney General’s Office, I offer my heartfelt sympathies to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

-30-

OLYMPIA-- The State of Washington was extremely disappointed to hear from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) on Thursday that two more milestones agreed to in the 2010 Hanford Cleanup Consent Decree with the State are at substantial risk of being missed. USDOE Secretary Ernest Moniz called Governor Jay Inslee on Thursday to inform him of this information

Washington State Joins Federal Trade Commission in Multi-State, Multi-National Law Enforcement Initiative
           

OLYMPIA— Attorney General Bob Ferguson has learned Washington residents are receiving calls from scammers posing as Medicare officials seeking personal information, claiming to need the information to issue new Medicare cards.

OLYMPIA— After an extensive investigation and litigation, the Attorney General’s Office today announced a settlement with Caicos Corporation for multiple violations of the state’s prevailing wage laws, resulting in a total payment of more than $64,000 plus $25,000 in interest to 14 misclassified workers. 

“The Attorney General’s Office is proud to work with the Department of Labor & Industries to protect workers from wage shortages and to hold companies accountable in the marketplace,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson.