Washington state leads effort to combat human trafficking

OLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s Office today released an informal opinion that addresses the most time-sensitive part of a four-part request made by Interim Grays Harbor County Prosecutor Gerald Fuller.  The opinion addresses the process for filling the vacancy in the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor’s office caused by the retirement of former prosecutor, Stew Menefee, in September.

OLYMPIA – Former Whitcom 911 Employee Guild treasurer Emily Kirk of Pullman, Wash., was sentenced to 60 days with 30 converted to community service after pleading guilty to Theft in the First Degree and Forgery for stealing $13,910 from the guild. The judge also issued fines totaling $800. Kirk has fully paid the restitution owed.
Prosecutors accused Kirk of drafting, signing and endorsing checks to herself and forging Guild President William Cory Brincken’s signature for a period of time from June 2011 through August 2012.
 

Admitted beating, strangling stepfather in burglary, domestic violence dispute

FERRY COUNTY, WASH.– Morgan Eugene  Christensen was sentenced Friday to more than  23 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder with a deadly weapon and first degree burglary in Ferry County Superior Court.

Christensen broke into the home of his mother and stepfather in October 2012 then beat his stepfather with a tire iron and strangled him to death.

OLYMPIA – Many businesses have contacted the state Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Labor & Industries about a misleading letter sent from a company called ‘Labor Standards Compliance Office’ listed at a Tacoma, Wash. address.

Attorneys general order U.S. Fidelis pay back 19,000 consumers nationwide

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson joined three other state attorneys general today in announcing that approximately 19,000 consumers nationwide will share more than $9.3 million to compensate them for their problems with U.S. Fidelis, a now-defunct dealer of vehicle service contracts. Checks are going in the mail today for those who filed a claim.

A vehicle service contract provides protection against unexpected or costly vehicle repairs.

Billed Medicaid for four months after client’s death
 
OLYMPIA — A King County woman entered a guilty plea today in Thurston County Superior Court after the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) charged her with First Degree theft and four other felony counts of Medicaid False Statement.
 

Judge rules charter school implementation may continue.

SEATTLE —King County Superior Court Judge Jean Rietschel today issued a ruling that the state’s 2012 charter schools initiative may continue to be implemented.

The judge upheld the charter schools law, as written, against multiple constitutional arguments, finding that only one limited aspect of the law should be stricken.

Yakima, Wash. — The Washington Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is scheduled to offer its opening statements this afternoon in the civil commitment trial of a Yakima County sex offender.  At trial, the AGO will argue that Jonathan Parsons, 38, meets the legal definition of a sexually violent predator and should be civilly committed indefinitely.  Parson has three prior convictions.