Payment-option ARMs looming threat to U.S. homeowners, officials warn

OLYMPIA – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna fears a rise in scam victims as struggling homeowners trying to tap legitimate payment relief programs are simultaneously solicited by charlatans. He said a meeting this morning between Obama administration officials and state attorneys general on mortgage fraud is further evidence that cross-agency cooperation is vital to protect homeowners.

Attorney General’s Office says it saw through Evans Glass’ alleged ruse

SEATTLE – The Washington Attorney General’s Office today lifted the curtain on a Seattle-based window installer’s allegedly deceptive sales practices and negotiated a settlement to insulate consumers from future harm.

OLYMPIA…The state Attorney General’s Office, in consultation with the Secretary of State’s office, today announced it will appeal a preliminary injunction granted yesterday in federal court. The injunction blocks the release of the names and addresses of those who signed Referendum 71.

Capitol Campus Safety Fair celebrates emergency training and preparedness

OLYMPIA — Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will honor several heroic state workers and one courageous fast-food employee who whisked a child out of the clutches of a kidnapper. The awards will be presented Friday at the Public Employees Safety Awareness and Preparedness Fair.

Vancouver car dealer to refund consumers burned by misleading contest

OLYMPIA – Gas vouchers were a hot promotional tool last year, used to lure potential customers to dealerships, furniture stores and seminars. But as gas prices rose, so did the number of consumers fuming about these so-called free fill-ups. A Vancouver, Wash., car dealer must now reimburse customers who responded to one such promotion that the Washington Attorney General’s Office says was deceptive.

Drug company will pay $2.3 billion to settle historic Medicaid fraud settlement and $33 million more to settle states’ claims of unfair and deceptive marketing practices

OLYMPIA… Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced two major national settlements with pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer Inc. 

OLYMPIA… Attorney General Rob McKenna today joined 42 other state Attorneys General in announcing a $33 million agreement with Pfizer Inc. related to the drug company’s alleged improper marketing of the antipsychotic drug, Geodon. 

OLYMPIA… Attorney General McKenna today joined with other states and the federal government to announce a $2.3 billion settlement with Pfizer Inc. to settle civil and criminal allegations that Pfizer and its subsidiaries paid kickbacks and engaged in "off-label" marketing campaigns that improperly promoted numerous drugs that Pfizer manufactures.   "Off-label" refers to uses that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

McKenna thanks Australian authorities for closing the book on eBook sellers

SEATTLE – Working with the Washington Attorney General’s Office, Australian authorities recently announced they’ve shut down an Internet health scam that fleeced more than 60,000 consumers worldwide.

The following was published in the Everett Herald on August 27, 2009.

By Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General

Their stories are devastating: A Bothell couple whose 17-year-old son lost his life to a toxic combination of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, a Mukilteo parent whose high-schooler’s fatal addiction started when he smoked OxyContin, and a Seattle physician whose 24-year-old son died from an overdose of Oxycodone and cocaine.