Thousands of Washington state consumers to be refunded approximately $18.95 each 

SEATTLE—Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that Change-My-Address.com will pay $3 million back to consumers to resolve complaints of deceptive practices. Approximately 433,000 consumers were affected nationwide in 2013, including 20,000 Washington consumers. Consumers who purchased the defendants’ services will receive roughly $18.95 each unless they have already received money back.

Westmoreland pleads not guilty to charges he abandoned roughly 40 barrels of hazardous waste

OLYMPIA—Today in King County Superior Court, a former Renton man pleaded not guilty to charges by the Attorney General’s Office that he illegally abandoned roughly 40 barrels of hazardous waste on property from which he was evicted in 2012.

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson offered the following
statement regarding the news that Billy Frank Jr. died today.

“Billy
was a true statesman who brought an optimistic, can-do approach to environmental
and natural resource challenges,” said Ferguson. “His activism and perseverance
helped build the foundation of an enduring legacy that Washington state will
never forget.”

Release courtesy of Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Bryan Gilbert Robb, 35, today pled guilty in Spokane County Superior Court to one felony count of insurance fraud for filing a false insurance claim. Robb was sentenced to seven days in jail, a $1,000 fine and $800 in other court costs.  

Substandard training, false certifications put workers, public at risk

OLYMPIA— Two Tacoma business owners entered guilty pleas today in Pierce County Superior Court after Attorney General Bob Ferguson leveled multiple charges against them for selling substandard asbestos worker training courses and certifications  through their business, Environmental Management Training Services LLC. (EMT). 

First state enforcement action in the nation against a crowdfunded project highlights consumer risks

SEATTLE — Consumers who financially backed a failed crowdfunding project are finally getting some backing of their own. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today filed the first consumer protection lawsuit in the nation involving crowdfunding.

Ceremony honors fallen officers, seriously injured and meritorious conduct

OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson awarded law enforcement officers with Washington state’s highest law enforcement award: The Medal of Honor. The medal is given to officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, who were seriously injured in the line of duty or who have displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct.

The press release is courtesy of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

OLYMPIA--The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is warning homeowners and businesses to steer clear of scam artists offering to pave driveways and resurface parking lots.

Sound Inpatient Physicians to make payment to state’s Medicaid Program

OLYMPIA—In response to allegations that it knowingly overbilled the state over an eight-year period, a Tacoma-based physician group will pay $259,649 to the state’s Medicaid program.

“Providers who participate in our state’s Medicaid program must accurately bill for services provided and accurately document those services in the patient record,”  said Attorney General Bob Ferguson “If you participate in the Medicaid program, you must play by the rules.”

Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) members and nonmembers continue to be the target of a text message and phone call scam.

Please read WSECU’s alert for more information:

WSECU fraudulent texts and phone calls - be on alert!