OLYMPIA — Families who have lost their homes due to an inability to pay their property taxes are being targeted by individuals who want to take the little money they have left after the foreclosure sale. Legislation proposed by the Attorney General’s Office aims to protect these families from scammers and help them keep as much of their money as possible.

Retailers must remove products from their shelves after Feb. 19

OLYMPIA – General Tobacco products can no longer be sold in Washington or 17 other states. The Washington Attorney General’s Office said the company has not made the required payments under the Master Settlement Agreement.

State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group report says the foreclosure crisis is worsening, despite efforts

OLYMPIA – A group of state attorneys general and banking regulators predict a devastating acceleration of foreclosures unless policy makers step up efforts to assist homeowners.

OLYMPIA — Every year in the United States, millions of vulnerable adults—seniors and those with disabilities—are physically and sexually assaulted, neglected, and financially exploited. In Washington state, government agencies receive tens of thousands of reports of abuse and exploitation every year.

This week, two Legislative committees will hear bipartisan bills to provide new protections for vulnerable adults. Both bills are requested by state Attorney General Rob McKenna, based on the recommendations of participants in his 2007 Vulnerable Adults Summit.

OLYMPIA–Attorney General Rob McKenna today issued the following statement on the US Supreme Court’s decision to hear Doe v. Reed, a case involving the release of Referendum 71 petitions containing the names and addresses of those who signed the measure.

Proposed rate hikes focus of Jan. 19 public hearing in Olympia

OLYMPIA – Puget Sound Energy customers can comment on the company’s proposed electric and gas rate increases during a public hearing next week in Olympia. This is PSE’s first rate case following the sale of the utility to the Macquarie investor consortium which was approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) in December 2008.

Attorney General Rob McKenna announces bills to reign in the government’s eminent domain powers

OLYMPIA — Like so many immigrants to the United States, Henry Kubota sought the American dream: a piece of property; a business; a livelihood. He thought he found it in Seattle, purchasing the Seattle Hotel in 1941.

OLYMPIA – State Attorney General Rob McKenna wants state lawmakers to make it harder for government to seize private property under the guise of economic development or reducing blight, only to sell the confiscated real estate to private developers.

Landowners, policy leaders and legislators will join McKenna at a press conference Thursday in Olympia to spotlight why changes to Washington’s eminent domain laws are critical to protect the public from unfairly losing their homes and businesses.

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OLYMPIA – Two of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s public safety bills will receive public hearings Tuesday.

One proposed law would require longer sentences for repeat, felony domestic abusers. HB 2427 is sponsored by Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, and co-sponsored by Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, among others.

Topco Financial reaches settlement with Attorney General’s Office

SEATTLE – An Everett-based collection agency agreed not to harass, threaten or cuss at consumers as part of a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office.

The Attorney General’s Office sued Topco Financial Services, Inc., and company officials in February 2009, accusing them of violating the state’s Consumer Protection Act. Topco’s clients include towing companies.