OLYMPIA -- In January 2001, my office joined California and Oregon in investigating whether state or federal laws were violated during the recent energy crisis that resulted in dramatic increases in power costs for thousands of Washington consumers.
 
We had strong reason to believe that Enron and other energy companies were manipulating the energy market during this time. While the company said it had nothing to hide, until just recently it refused to cooperate by producing documents necessary for the states' investigation.

Seattle – Oct. 23, 2001 - Consumers who failed to receive promised services from two Washington fitness clubs can receive refunds under an agreement filed today in King County Superior Court, Attorney General Christine Gregoire announced.

SEATTLE - February 23, 1998 - The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division today announced that Washington consumers last year received a record $6.2 million in restitution and estimated savings from unfair and deceptive business practices. That is a 15 percent increase over 1996.

OLYMPIA - June 21, 2000 - The cost to consumers for power in southeastern Washington will remain steady over the next five years as the result of a settlement reached by the Attorney General’s office and Pacificorp.

The proposed settlement with Pacificorp, staff of the UTC, Industrial Customers Northwest Utilities, NW Energy Coalition and the Energy Project must be approved by the UTC before it can take effect.

TACOMA -- Hundreds of Washington consumers who purchased used cars after June 1, 1997 may be eligible for refunds as the result of a multi-state settlement with State Farm Mutual Insurance Company.

Seattle -July 12, 2000 - Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire said today an estimated $1.3 million would be recovered for Washington consumers and state agencies under a tentative settlement with drug companies which were sued for fixing prices of medications often used by the elderly.

SEATTLE - October 23, 1998-The Attorney General's Office today announced the landmark settlement agreement in a multi-state lawsuit against a New Jersey corporation accused of “slamming” the long distance telephone service of consumers across the country.

Seattle - January 28, 1999 - Problems with the communications industry, including telecommunications and on-line services, topped the state Attorney General's 1998 list of consumer complaints.

SEATTLE -- The Attorney General’s High Tech Unit today filed suit against a Snohomish County man for making unsubstantiated claims that the lotions, capsules and other products he offered for sale over the Internet could increase breast size without surgery. Attorney General Christine Gregoire said the marketing scheme was particularly troublesome because the products were marketed to teenagers, and they contain hormones which have not been tested as safe for teenagers or adults.

OLYMPIA - Sharon Nelson, Director of the Shidler Center for Law, Commerce and Technology of the University of Washington School of Law, has been named the new Chief of the Consumer Protection Division, according to Attorney General Christine Gregoire.

The Division enforces the state's consumer protection laws, manages six Consumer Resource Centers statewide, administers the Lemon Law program, and educates the public on consumer protection issues.