OLYMPIA…Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Better Business Bureau are teaming up to remind consumers that scammers never take a vacation.  Both the AGO and the BBB have seen a recent spike in “Timeshare Reseller” scams. Together both agencies have received more than 20 complaints since the start of the year.

SEATTLE – The Public Counsel Unit of the Washington Attorney General’s Office today filed expert testimony recommending modifications to a multi-year rate plan filed by Puget Sound Energy (PSE).  

In its proposal, PSE includes automatic cost escalators to calculate electricity and gas rates during life of the rate plan, based on cost increases projected by the company.

Early cancellation of phone plans results in undisclosed balloon payment
 

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Secretary of State Kim Wyman today expressed their condolences to the victims of the horrific violence at the 2013 Boston Marathon—and warned people not to fall victim to fake fundraisers using the tragedy to scam people into making bogus contributions.

OLYMPIA—Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced his office has filed a consumer protection  lawsuit against Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts in Richland, Wash.

On March 1, 2013, Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers, refused to provide wedding flowers to long-time customer, Robert Ingersoll, based on her opposition to same-sex marriage.

Embraer, world’s 4th largest aircraft manufacturer, now in full compliance

OLYMPIA—Attorney General Bob Ferguson today shared news that Microsoft recently used a new Washington unfair competition law to resolve a dispute over software licensing issues with the world’s fourth largest aircraft manufacturer, Embraer.

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Bob Ferguson grew up in a family of veterans--with a father who served in the US Navy, both grandfathers serving in the military and several uncles who served in World War II.

That’s why he was infuriated to learn unauthorized financial planning companies were targeting senior veterans with schemes promising new untapped veterans benefits—if the veterans were willing to let these “planners” help manage their financial assets.

Pasco—Franklin County Superior Court Judge Vic L. VanderSchoor sentenced Dennis Merle Huston of Pasco, Wash., to 16 years today after Huston pled guilty to a complicated embezzlement scheme involving millions of dollars dating back to March 1990.  

OLYMPIA—Attorney General Bob Ferguson reiterated Washington state’s support for marriage equality today as the US Supreme Court hears two landmark cases. Washington joined more than a dozen other states in two “friend-of-the-court briefs” in these cases in late February.