SEATTLE – Scammers posing as health inspectors are calling restaurant operators.

Restaurants in Washington state, as well as across the nation and Canada, have been targets of the scam, which apparently involves a series of phone calls. The first caller tells the restaurant that it will receive an automated call providing a numeric confirmation code. A second caller, claiming to be a health inspector, requests the code and seeks to set up an in-person restaurant inspection. The caller threatens fines if the restaurant doesn't cooperate.

States’ settlement is latest in legal battles for DRAM manufacturers

SEATTLE – The Y2K bug was the big concern in the computer world when makers of DRAM computer memory conspired to raise prices. More than a decade later, the companies and a group of state attorneys general have negotiated a $173 million antitrust settlement in principle with six of the world’s top manufacturers.

OLYMPIA— Attorney General Rob McKenna issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement that Gov. Gregoire and three other governors have requested to file a “friend of the court” brief in support of newly adopted federal health care mandates.

“The 20 states, represented by 16 attorneys general and four governors, members of the National Federation of Independent Business and individuals affected by these new mandates filed this lawsuit because health care reform is too important to build on an unconstitutional foundation,” McKenna said. 

Doe v. Reed briefs celebrated; McKenna’s chief deputy receives Marvin Award

SEATTLE – Four members of Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office have received prestigious national awards for their public service. The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) held its summer meeting in Seattle this week. On Wednesday, officials presented awards to members of McKenna’s Solicitor General’s Office and to his chief deputy.

The Yakama Nation issued a warning today after individuals visited the tribe’s headquarters on Tuesday to recruit tribal offers for supposedly lucrative jobs cleaning up the oil spill in the Gulf Coast. The recruiters promised bus transportation to Louisiana and Florida, lodging and wages of $40 per hour.

OLYMPIA – The U.S. Department of Justice today filed its motion to dismiss the constitutional challenge to the federal health care act brought by Washington and 19 states, the National Federation of Independent Business, and persons affected by the individual mandate.

Attorney General Rob McKenna issued the following statement in response:

“The Justice Department’s motion today demonstrates that the federal government views this lawsuit as a serious threat. Nothing in this motion changes the states’ view that we will prevail.

Hopeful singles complained Great Expectations didn’t meet their expectations

SEATTLE – Matchmakers bank on the notion that money can buy love. But some customers willing to pay thousands of dollars to a business that advertises as “the premier, personal dating service for Seattle singles” say they were sold false promises.

Penalties for repeat domestic abusers, restriction on child pornography among bills proposed by McKenna

OLYMPIA – Five laws proposed by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna during the 2010 Legislative Session become effective today:

OLYMPIA – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna issued the following statement today regarding his determination not to appeal a decision of the Okanogan County Superior Court. After considering all of the arguments presented, the superior court ruled that the Okanogan Public Utility District has authority to acquire through condemnation an easement over school trust lands for a transmission line.