SEATTLE - April 1, 1999 - Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced a Renton-based travel club has agreed to pay the state close to a half million dollars for failing to deliver on promises that consumers who purchase club memberships would save thousands of dollars in airfare and other travel expenses.

"To take advantage of these so-called savings, you would have to constantly be on the go," said Gregoire. "Red flags should go up if your membership fees are more than what you would spend in a year for travel."

OLYMPIA -- Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire and Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers today put the federal government on notice that they will sue the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) if the department refuses to assess the environmental harm caused by decades of nuclear weapons production at Hanford.

Seattle - February 8, 2000- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that three Florida travel companies who used "lifestyles of the rich and famous" spokesperson Robin Leach, have settled two lawsuits filed against them by agreeing to pay consumers refunds for "dream vacations."

"Those ‘dream vacations’ turned out to be disappointing nightmares," said Gregoire. "These travel companies used deceptive sales tactics and Robin Leach’s celebrity status to deliver false promises of a luxurious vacation that did not exist."

SEATTLE - February 4, 1999 - Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire and six other states filed suit today against two Florida travel companies, their owners, and “lifestyles of the rich and famous” pitchman Robin Leach, alleging they mislead unsuspecting consumers into believing they had won or were entitled to the vacation of their dreams.

“Champagne wishes and caviar dreams turned into bitter regrets and vacation nightmares for consumers responding to this come-on,” said Attorney General Christine Gregoire. “There was nothing free or fabulous in this offer.”

Seattle - Sept. 28, 2000 - As part of its settlement with Toys "R" Us and three toy manufacturers – Hasbro, Mattel and Little Tikes – the Attorney General’s office has awarded nearly $275,000 in grants to programs that benefit children throughout Washington state.

The grants were awarded to 27 different programs by a panel appointed by Attorney General Christine Gregoire. The grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000.

OLYMPIA -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire said today the state has gone to court to force the U.S. Department of Energy to pay a $6.8 million tax bill it owes the state.

The action, filed in the District of Columbia Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, states that the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 requires DOE to pay the equivalent of state business and occupation taxes for activities carried out during the consideration of Hanford as a potential High Level Nuclear Waste Repository site.

   
OLYMPIA - Attorney General Christine Gregoire today warned Washington consumers to beware of "pyramid" schemes that promise participants they will get rich quick.

 
SEATTLE - September 1, 1999 - The Consumer Privacy Workgroup, appointed by Attorney General Christine Gregoire, will hold two public hearings next week for citizens to voice their concerns about consumer-privacy issues, including the collection and distribution of personal information by businesses.

The first hearing will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 7-9 p.m. in Room 110 of Kane Hall on the University of Washington Campus. The second hearing will be in Spokane on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 5-7 p.m. in Lounges A and B at Spokane Falls Community College.

SEATTLE - May 25, 1999- Attorney General Christine Gregoire said today a settlement of an antitrust lawsuit against Toys "R" Us and two toy manufacturers will provide more than $600,000 worth of toys to needy Washington families. Toy’s R Us, the nations largest toy retailer, and the manufacturers will donate more than $33 million in toys and pay $13 million to settle lawsuits filed by Washington and other states.

Gregoire said Washington will receive toys valued at over $672,770. The toys will be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots Foundation.

OLYMPIA -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire has urged Congress to reject proposed legislation that would exempt the U.S. Department of Defense from major national environmental laws governing air quality and toxic waste cleanup on military bases.

In a letter to key congressional committees, Gregoire and 38 attorneys general said the sweeping exemptions being requested by DOD are not justified, and would severely impact the states' authority to protect the health of citizens and the environment.