Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Nick Brown

Statement from AG Gregoire on Senate Passage of Anti-Bullying Bill

Olympia - March 7, 2001 - By passing SSB5528, the state Senate today took a necessary and important step to protect our children from school violence.

This week's shootings at Santana High School near San Diego were a tragic reminder that we cannot continue to regard bullying and school harassment as traditional rites of passage for kids.

Our children tell us bullying is a cause of youth violence and that a code of silence among kids only perpetuates that threat. This bill is a response to what we heard from our kids.

AG SUES MAZDA FOR DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING

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.

McKenna hires new Special Assistant AG for Litigation Excellence

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.

MULTI LEVEL MARKETING FIRM TO STOP EXAGGERATING INCOME CLAIMS

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.

LEVITZ FURNITURE SETTLES WITH WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL

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."  

Where Are Your Charity Dollars Going?

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)

AG Files Suit Against Charitable Fundraisers As Part of a Nationwide Fraud Sweep

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.