Dell to refund consumers under settlement with 34 states

Agenda for 2009 legislative session also includes initiative to cut back on abusive records requests

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today released his 2009 legislative agenda, with a special focus on protecting the state’s most vulnerable citizens and helping financially strapped homeowners.

Settlement Ends Illegal Distribution of Natural American Spirits Cigarettes Branded Merchandise

SEATTLE – A coalition of 42 states today announced a settlement with Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company after the company violated the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) by distributing decorative tin signs to consumers that featured its “Natural American Spirit” cigarettes brand name. 

States want Congress to amend bankruptcy code

OLYMPIA –  Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna is joining attorneys general from 21 other states plus the District of Columbia in an effort to convince Congress to loosen bankruptcy rules so judges can modify home loans to help reduce foreclosures.

Washington State nets funds for general fund and Medicaid programs from settlement with makers of sleep, seizure, and pain drugs

OLYMPIA--Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Washington State received nearly $650,000 from Cephalon, Inc., to settle allegations of improper off-label marketing of three pharmaceutical drugs.

SEATTLE – If you have a gift card for KB Toys, shop now. The Washington Attorney General’s Office was notified by legal counsel for KB Toys, Inc., that the company is liquidating its stores and will no longer accept gift cards or store credit after Sunday, Jan. 11.

KB Toys stores and KB Toys.com operate as separate businesses. Gift cards purchased from stores can’t be spent online, according to a notice on the KBToys.com site.

OLYMPIA— Attorney General Rob McKenna will unveil his 2009 legislative priorities in the areas of consumer protection, community safety and open government at a media availability Wednesday at his Olympia headquarters.

When:

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2009

Where:

AGO Headquarters, 1125 Washington St. in Olympia, Rm. 742

Conference Number:

(800) 423-1988
Passcode: 1320128#

-30-

Contacts:

Janelle Guthrie, AGO Communications Director, (360) 586-0725

The Washington State Attorney General’s Public Counsel Section today issued the following statement about the state Utilities and Transportation Commission’s 2-1 decision to approve a settlement permitting acquisition of Puget Sound Energy by a consortium of private equity investors:

One patient complains about “George Washington Teeth” that didn’t fit

OLYMPIA—When Phyllis Wicks moved to Redmond, she was happy to find a denturist who makes house calls. Wicks, a senior in her mid-80s, has difficultly getting around. But state investigators say that after billing a taxpayer-funded public health program for nearly $2,000, the denturist then delivered what Wicks describes as poorly fitting “George Washington teeth.”

“Truth in advertising is nothing to sneeze at,” AG says