SEATTLE -- The Attorney General and the Region 18 United States Trustee announced that Federated Department Stores, Inc., owners of The Bon Marche, have agreed to pay approximately $7.5 million as part of a multi-state settlement for improper debt collection practices.

Vancouver -  Eleven American and Canadian attorneys general agreed this weekend on an international strategy to crack down on the growing problem of telemarketing fraud.

Seattle - Janaury 7,1998 - In a continued crackdown on deceptive charitable solicitations, the Attorney General's Office today announced a $55,000 settlement with a New Jersey based telephone fund-raiser for two major Washington police organizations.

Olympia- December 19, 1997 - The State of Washington today joined three other states and the Federal Trade Commission in signing consent decrees aimed at keeping gasoline prices competitive.

OLYMPIA -- A former Skagit County dairy farmer was sentenced to four days in jail after pleading guilty to four counts of violating the Washington Water Pollution Control Act for illegally dumping manure into a nearby drainage ditch.

Olympia - December 17, 1997 - State Attorney General Christine Gregoire urges Washington State University Cougars, alumni and supporters to be wise consumers in the scramble for the few remaining tickets to the 1998 Rose Bowl game.

OLYMPIA - December 2, 1997 - King County Superior Court Judge George Finkle has ordered that the State Attorney General's Office be given access to key tobacco company documents for use in the state's lawsuit against the industry. The AG's Office contends the documents will support its claim that the tobacco industry misrepresented the health hazards of smoking.

SEATTLE - The Washington State Attorney General's Office and the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General today joined forces to seize assets and close down a Vancouver, BC telemarketer. The cooperative effort is part of crackdown by law enforcement agencies in both nations to stop cross-border telemarketing fraud.

The Attorney General's Office today warned consumers throughout Washington that charity scams have gotten an early jump on the holiday giving season. Consumers in the Seattle area are currently being called by "Operation Holidays - Set the Table Food Basket Drive," which asks for donations to buy gifts for holiday baskets they claim will be distributed by Northwest Harvest and Seattle Emergency Housing.

SEATTLE - October 8, 1997 - In an agreement negotiated by the Attorney General's Office, Vacation Time Worldwide will reimburse consumers who purchased travel club memberships and have not received their promised vacations. The Bellevue travel club has established a $100,000 trust fund to cover the reimbursement costs.