OLYMPIA—Senior Counsel Malcolm Ross with the Attorney General's Office Sexually Violent Predator Unit won a civil commitment case that prevents the release of a dangerous sexually violent predator back into Lewis County.

On Friday, July 5, after a six-day trial and a day and a half of deliberation, a jury in Lewis County Superior Court ruled that Mark T. Robinson will remain confined at the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island indefinitely.

OLYMPIA— The Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has entered into diversion agreements with two defendants in connection with falsifying timesheets as paid caregivers under the Medicaid program.    

The two Bellevue women, Nelya Simora and Galina Yablonskaya, each in separate instances, recorded in-home care hours for work not performed, resulting in payment of roughly $4,000 in Medicaid funds to which they were not entitled—$2,014.30 and $2,007.90, respectively.  

Progress has been made to protect consumer privacy, but concerns remain  

SEATTLE—Attorney General Bob Ferguson, joined by 22 other state attorneys general, announced progress in their effort to work with Google to improve how it protects consumer privacy, and called on the company to offer greater transparency and more meaningful privacy controls.

SEATTLE—Attorney General Bob Ferguson with 39 other state and territorial attorneys general and consumer advocates, sent comments on June 24 to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about stopping mobile cramming, the placement of unauthorized third-party charges on mobile phone bills.

US Supreme Court strikes down DOMA, clears way for same sex couples in CA to marry
 
OLYMPIA— Today, the US Supreme Court issued two important rulings for marriage equality.
 
“Today is a great day for marriage equality both in Washington state and across the country,” Ferguson said.
 

OLYMPIA—Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today urged the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to strengthen federal Military Lending Act (MLA) regulations to better protect servicemembers from abusive lending practices.

“As someone who comes from a family of veterans, I am proud the Office of Attorney General supports and stands up for our military personnel and their families,” said Ferguson. “Strengthening the protections under the Military Lending Act will help make sure those who defend our country are guarded against predatory lenders.”

SEATTLE — The Public Counsel Unit of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) today challenged the electric rate increases proposed by PacifiCorp, which operates in Washington as Pacific Power and Light Company.

The Portland-based utility is requesting rates that would generate an additional $42.8 million in revenue from its Washington electric customers. Public Counsel believes the rate request is too high.  

OLYMPIA… Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the latest report by the national monitor on the progress of five servicers subject to the National Mortgage Settlement shows success, but much work remains.

“The monitor’s report is clear that progress has been made, but more work needs to be done,” Ferguson said.  “The monitor is proving to be tough but fair, and working hard to improve servicer performance.

OLYMPIA— The Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has charged an Otis Orchards woman with one count of 1st degree theft and two counts of making a false statement to obtain a Medicaid payment.

Chanell Robin Flock was paid to provide medical care for multiple Medicaid recipients, but the state alleges she billed Medicaid nearly $30,000 for care not actually provided for three different recipients from January 2007 through October 2011.

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Bob Ferguson offered his condolences as friends, colleagues and family of Sen. Mike Carrell honor him at his public memorial on Monday, June 10. 

“Sen. Carrell dedicated his legislative career to protecting youth and promoting justice,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “The people of Washington will miss his passion and dedication. On behalf of all of us at the Attorney General’s Office, I offer my heartfelt sympathies to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

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