Countersuit by out-of-state organization threatens transparency in Washington elections
 
OLYMPIA— Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that he would vigorously defend the constitutionality of Washington’s campaign finance disclosure laws— and the enforcement of these laws— against a challenge filed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).

Attorney General warns to be wary of scams to follow

SEATTLE — Target announced today that in addition to the payment card data breach which affected approximately 40 million shoppers, 70 million shoppers had other information taken — such as names, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. The data breach occurred during the period of November to December 2013.

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson, along with 12 other attorneys general, submitted comments to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging reduction in dangerous pollution.

The attorneys general insist that in order to substantially reduce pollution from existing fossil-fuel power plants, the EPA must set strong emission limits while also giving states flexibility on how to meet those limits.

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that Washington has joined with other states and the federal government in a global settlement with CareFusion, a manufacturer of medical and surgical supplies and medical devices. The settlement resolves civil allegations of unlawful marketing practices and the payment of kickbacks for promoting sales of CareFusion’s surgical preparation solution, Chloraprep.

Washington serves on settlement team, secures $98K for state Medicaid program

OLYMPIA — Washington state will receive a total of roughly $98,000 as part of a $15 million state-federal settlement with BioScrip, Inc., a pharmacy that provided prescription drugs to Medicaid patients.

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

Manual Lopez, 59, previously served time for rape and burglary. Upon his release, the Attorney General’s Office won a civil commitment trial on June 2, 2010, placing Lopez at the Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators.  As allowed under the law, Lopez is now asking the court for unconditional release into the community.

 Courtesy of Washington State Department of Revenue

Courtesy of Office of the Insurance Commissioner 

OLYMPIA, Wash. – An investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office has resulted in charges of theft and fraud against a Tacoma woman who attempted to collect insurance money for a car she claimed was stolen and destroyed in a fire.

Washington state Attorney General Robert Ferguson charged Donica Santos, 39, with single counts each of first-degree theft and insurance fraud after Kreidler’s Special Investigations Unit found evidence of the crimes.

$49M in principal mortgage reductions for struggling homeowners and $1,000+ cash payments to eligible foreclosed borrowers in Washington state

Tougher mortgage servicing standards hold Ocwen accountable for past practices, ensure fundamental servicing reforms

Attorney General’s Office keeps violent predator out of community

Yakima, Wash. —A Yakima jury today announced its unanimous verdict that a local sex offender is a sexually violent predator and should be civilly committed.  Jonathan Parsons, 38, had three prior convictions for sexual assaults against young boys.

The civil commitment trial started on Dec. 9, 2013. The trial team consisted of Assistant Attorneys General Mary Robnett and Katharine Hemann from the Attorney General’s Office Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Unit.