SEATTLE ---One of the nations largest sweepstakes operators, American Family Publishers, which uses Ed McMahon and Dick Clark as its spokespersons, has agreed to pay Washington and 31 other states $1.25 million and stop the use of illegal promotions tactics.

"There's a line between hype to sell a product and deception," said Attorney General Christine Gregoire. "This company crossed over that line with their promotion suggesting consumers were one of only two recipients in Washington with the winning numbers."

Olympia —September 3, 1997 - Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that Sears, Roebuck & Co. will pay almost $4.9 million to the state and 4,450 Washington consumers under a $290 million multi-state settlement.

SEATTLE - May 28, 1998 -- Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire and 43 other attorneys general have negotiated a $2.6 million national settlement with America Online (AOL) that gives consumers important new protections.

“Consumers have a right to be notified in advance whenever there is a price increase or a substantial change to their services,” said Gregoire. “Only with all the facts can consumers make informed choices.”

January 29, 1997 - Seattle -- America Online today agreed to refund monthly service fees, make cancellation easier, and stop advertising for February until the network and system problems caused by the introduction of their new flat rate pricing plan are resolved.

OLYMPIA - 5.19.03 - The U.S. Supreme Court today announced it will review a Washington case that may determine if the state's constitutional ban on the use of public money to fund religious instruction is allowed under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

SEATTLE - 5.30.03 - The Attorney General's office has filed suit against the operators of an Internet billing service who allegedly obtained customers without authorization and then charged them $4.99 for each minute they were connected to the service.

More than 100 complaints from Washington consumers have been received by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division concerning the scheme, which is operated by a New Jersey-based company called Alyon Technologies, Inc., and its Georgia affiliate, Telcollect.

OLYMPIA - The Attorney General's Office today petitioned the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a decision by a three-judge 9th Circuit panel that would require the state to offer scholarship money to college students majoring in theology.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board, which oversees the scholarship program, endorsed the decision.

SEATTLE - A Kirkland-based water heater contractor will pay up to $10,000 in restitution, $5,000 in attorney fees and will stop engaging in unfair business practices under a settlement announced today by Attorney General Christine Gregoire.

In a consent decree filed in King County Superior Court, Action Water Heaters doesn't admit guilt, but agrees to conditions it must meet in order to avoid paying $35,000 in civil penalties.

OLYMPIA -Sept. 12, 2001- The Washington state Attorney General's Office is warning consumers to be on the watch for people who may try to take advantage of them in this time of national tragedy.

Following other tragedies, con artists have attempted to take advantage of the public's good will, Attorney General Christine Gregoire said. Often, she said, scams take the form of phony charities seeking donations, or unscrupulous merchants who unnecessarily raise the prices of essential goods.

OLYMPIA - The Attorney General's Office, AARP and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) today said they plan to send thousands of trained volunteers around Washington to combat fraud against senior citizens.

They launched the Fraud Fighter campaign by training 400 volunteers in Spokane. The volunteers' mission will be to educate hundreds of other senior citizens in the Spokane area on how to avoid becoming victims of fraud.