SEATTLE – The official-looking postcard in your mailbox warns that your car’s warranty is about to expire and urges you to call a toll-free number to ensure you’re covered. But think twice before you dial. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division says these mailers are advertisements aimed at pressuring you into buying an expensive service contract.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna and economist Keith Leffler will discuss results from the first phase of the state’s ongoing investigation into gas prices and gather public comments during three evening public forums this winter.

Members of the public are invited to learn about factors influencing gas prices in Washington state and their communities. They will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide information they believe may be relevant to the state’s investigation.

The tour, called “Gas Gauge,” includes stops in the following cities:

OLYMPIA—Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna has selected attorney Melanie de Leon to head the state Executive Ethics Board, replacing Susan Harris, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“Susan Harris has done a great job wiping out the backlog of executive ethics board cases and strengthening outreach to state employees,” McKenna said. “I was fortunate to hire her early in my term and she accomplished every goal I set forth.”

SEATTLE –Attorney General’s Office investigator Marvin Skeen has been promoted to Chief Criminal Investigator. Skeen’s first day in his new role was Dec. 1.

Olympia - The Attorney General’s Office announced today the sentencing of care givers in Spokane and Lincoln counties. The care givers pled guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud in separate and unrelated cases.

In September, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit charged Ellen M. Spease with one count of theft in the first degree, three counts of health care false claim (as Medicaid False Statements) and three counts of forgery. She pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced on December 17 in Spokane County.

OLYMPIA – A New Jersey company accused of making illegal misrepresentations while selling motorized wheelchairs to Washington consumers agreed to reform its sales practices, refrain from future violations and provide consumers with a 14-day cancellation period for any motorized wheelchair under a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office.

Washington agencies continue working to address the subprime meltdown

OLYMPIA – December will be a bit more rewarding for 8,750 Washington residents. They’ll receive checks this month totaling nearly $9.9 million as part of a national settlement with former subprime lending giant Ameriquest.

Seattle - Attorney General Rob McKenna joined King County prosecutor Dan Satterberg, David Weston from the DSHS Mental Health Division and Chief Vicky