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.

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today issued the following statement regarding the Oso mudslide near Arlington, Wash.

“On behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, my heart goes out to the friends and families of those lost in the Oso landslide as well as those who have not yet been rescued. We are grateful for our first responders and for all who continue to work tirelessly to locate missing residents and protect against future disasters.”

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Fortune 500 company will adopt new policy effective April 1, 2014

SEATTLE — After Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a petition in court regarding its investigation of O’Reilly Automotive Inc.’s policy of not providing healthcare benefits to the same-sex spouses of its Washington employees, O’Reilly announced it will now extend healthcare coverage to same-sex spouses of its employees in Washington and other states recognizing marriage equality. This new healthcare policy is effective April 1, 2014.

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Bob Ferguson made the following statement regarding his meeting this morning with Energy Secretary Ernie Moniz and Governor Jay Inslee regarding progress on Hanford cleanup.
 
“The Attorney General’s Office has a long-standing commitment to the people of Washington to hold the federal government legally accountable for environmental cleanup at Hanford.  
 

 O’Reilly refuses to provide records requested by the Attorney General

SEATTLE — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office today filed a petition in King County Superior Court to enforce a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) issued to O’Reilly Auto Parts.

$173 million global settlement resolves allegations involving shingles patch

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced a $173 million global settlement with Endo Pharmaceuticals. Endo makes the Lidoderm 5% patch commonly used in treating shingles. Washington's share of the settlement is more than $1 million, which will be split between Washington’s State Medicaid program and the federal government.

Act will help protect elderly veterans against scammers

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Pension Poacher Prevention Act today passed the Legislature with strong bipartisan support. This measure addresses the growing problem of “pension poachers” who try to scam elderly veterans. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Release compliments of the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

 TUMWATER — A Bothell landscaper who claimed he was suffering from an on-the-job injury has admitted to stealing state workers’ compensation benefits.

Jose De Jesus Bernal-Ruiz pleaded guilty to second-degree theft this week in King County Superior Court, according to the Washington Attorney General’s Office. The 39-year-old Bothell resident also agreed to repay the Department of Labor & Industries more than $71,000 in vocational and cash benefits he should not have received.