FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dec. 10, 2009

OLYMPIA – The state of Washington has received roughly $188 million to help repair environmental damage caused by mining giant ASARCO.

Attorneys general urge Federal Trade Commission to strengthen advertising disclosures

OLYMPIA – There’s only one government-authorized Web site where consumers can get their free annual credit report, and it’s not the one with the catchy jingles in television ads. Attorney General Rob McKenna says more needs to be done to protect consumers attempting to obtain the free credit report allowed by law.

Attorney General distributes Enron settlement money this week

SEATTLE – It’s payback time for Enron, Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today. The Attorney General’s Office sent more than $9 million this week to programs that will benefit utility customers who were gouged by the manufactured energy crisis of 2000-2001.

Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna issued the following statement today:

OLYMPIA — As shoppers prepare to head to big-box stores and shopping malls on Black Friday, Attorney General Rob McKenna today offered money-saving tips for holiday shoppers.

“You’ll have yourself a merrier little Christmas if you don’t wait on rebates, read the fine print on return policies, and follow a few other common-sense suggestions,” McKenna said.

McKenna says current disclosures aren’t sufficient to protect consumers

OLYMPIA -- Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna took a leading role in encouraging Congress to get tough on companies that engage in deceptive online sales tactics. McKenna was the only attorney general to testify in connection with Tuesday’s hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

SEATTLE – The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office today challenged electric and gas rate increases proposed by Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

If granted in full, PSE’s request will generate an additional $183 million in revenues. Simon ffitch, chief of the Public Counsel Section, which represents residential and small business customers in utility rate cases, called the request excessive and unsupported.

Internet phone company to refund customers who complained about unauthorized charges

OLYMPIA – Attorneys general in 32 states are calling on Vonage to change its marketing practices. The company, one of the nation’s largest providers of Internet-based phone service, will refund eligible customers and pay $3 million to the states to resolve concerns about its billing and cancellation policies.

 Applauds federal inquiry into boozy, caffeinated concoctions 
 

Care providers in Spokane, Okanogan charged with cheating public health program

SPOKANE — Assistant Attorney General Dannette Allen and a team of investigators and support staff spend their days combing through bank records, computer records, sworn statements and tips from whistleblowers. Their goal: To find those fraudulently using the state’s Medicaid program as an income source.