OLYMPIA — A bill jointly requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Governor Jay Inslee to increase economic protections for Washington’s military personnel and veterans passed the Legislature today with strong bipartisan support. The Governor looks forward to signing it into law as soon as it hits his desk.

Ferguson and Inslee worked with Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, and Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, to secure approval of House Bill 2171.

Requires training for public officials to improve transparency and reduce lawsuits

Bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s bill to strengthen Washington state’s open government laws by requiring training for most public officials has passed the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.

AGO offers multiple ways to help consumers

SEATTLE — It is almost impossible not to be a consumer. Whether a purchase is made online or in a store down the street, whenever you engage in some kind of business transaction you are a consumer.

A key priority for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office is to safeguard consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices.

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).