October 28, 1996, SEATTLE -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today filed a lawsuit against Mazda Motors of America, Inc. in a multi-state crack down on deceptive advertising used to promote "zero down" or "penny down" automobile leases.

The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, alleges that Mazda requires consumers to pay up-front fees of up to $900 to get the advertised "zero down" or "penny down" lease. The up-front fees include a security deposit and the first month's lease payment and in some cases a $450 acquisition fee.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that veteran Seattle attorney John Gose has been hired to fill a new position created to advise the Office of Attorney General on civil litigation.

As Special Assistant Attorney General for Litigation Excellence, McKenna said Gose will conduct a comprehensive review of the AGO’s litigation practices and organizational structure, then make recommendations for improvement.

SPOKANE---Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that a Nevada multi-level marketing company has agreed to stop exaggerating income claims to potential Washington distributors of its products.

Equinox International Corporation, a nationwide distributor of various health and beauty products and water filter systems, signed an Assurance of Discontinuance (AOD) with Washington and 13 other states. The agreement requires the company to substantiate all claims of profit and product performance in its advertising to distributors.

SEATTLE - October 22, 1998 - The Attorney General's Office today filed the nation's first state “spamming” lawsuit against a Salem, Oregon business and its owner for using false and misleading information when sending unsolicited commercial e-mail to Washington residents.

SEATTLE Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that Levitz Furniture Corporation has agreed to pay nearly $1.2 million to Washington and seven other states to settle claims for advertising deceptive discounts off its "regular" furniture prices.  

"Sales advertised by Levitz often were based on illusion, not real savings," said Gregoire. "Regular prices were inflated and then reduced, often giving customers little or no savings at all."  

Attorney General ReleasesTrust Lands Opinion

OLYMPIA, August 1, 1996 -- Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire released a 71-page opinion today which clarifies various issues involving the management of millions of acres of trust lands which are used to benefit schools, universities and local government.

OLYMPIA - With the holidays just around the corner, two Washington state officials are suggesting that you check into exactly where your charitable contributions are going before you make a donation.

Related Files:
Commercial Fundraisers Charity Client List (Listed by Lowest Percentage to Charity Clients)

Currently Unregistered Commercial Fundraisers (Listed by Lowest Percentage to Charity Clients)

SEATTLE - The Attorney General's High Tech Unit has filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against a California-based spammer who sells printing supplies over the Internet.

SEATTLE - Nov. 12, 1998 - The Attorney General's Office today filed lawsuits against three charitable fundraisers for misleading the public about donations they solicited on behalf of several charitable causes. The lawsuits are part of a nationwide crackdown on charities fraud called Operation Missed Giving that involves 40 states, the Federal Trade Commission, and the American Association of Retired Persons.

SEATTLE - In another significant victory for Washington's anti-spam law, A King County Superior Court judge today declared that misleading commercial e-mail sent to millions of people violated Washington's 1998 statute.

The case against Jason Heckel of Salem, Ore., was the first filed by the Attorney General's Office under the state's1998 Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act, which prohibits e-mail that contains deceptive subject lines, misrepresents the e-mail's point of origin or uses a third party's domain name without permission.