National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia Law School RSS http://www.law.columbia.edu/center_program/ag en-US Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:08:35 EST Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:08:35 EST http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html RT SiteBuilder 6.30-dev-814 ]]> webadmin@law.columbia.edu <![CDATA[Fifteen state AGs call for end to expensive and risky home loans]]> Democratic attorneys general from fifteen states have asked the Federal Reserve to prohibit home loan officers and mortgage brokers from urging borrowers into expensive loans.  A letter signed by the fifteen AGs criticizes the unfair and deceptive acts that led to the recent foreclosure crisis and proposes incentives for loans that perform well in the long run instead.

]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update - January 21-February 4, 2010]]> Items in this edition of the Consumer Protection Update include:

Please visit our website for the full update.

]]> Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and DOJ file antitrust case against Dean Foods]]>  The attorneys general of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan have joined the Department of Justice in challenging Dean Food's acquisition of a competitor's milk business.  The lawsuit seeks to require Dean Foods to sell a dairy processing plant it acquired in April because of reduced competition in the sale of milk to supermarkets.

]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update - December 16, 2009-January 25, 2010]]> Items in this edition of the Consumer Protection Update include:

]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Arizona AG files lawsuit against deceptive employment service]]>
In a joint lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has accused the Tucson-based employment agency Government Careers, Inc. of masquerading as a legitimate government career center. As many as 10,000 people nationwide, after the agency guaranteed them federal jobs, signed up for study materials and employment counseling, which never were provided.

]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Connecticut AG sues Health Net for losing patients' medical records]]>
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has sued the healthcare company Health Net for failing to secure the records of thousands of its members. The company lost private information – including social security and bank account numbers – of 446,000 enrollees last May but did not alert its members until six months later.

 

]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Hospitals and nursing homes fined for dumping drugs into water supply]]>

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has fined two hospitals and three nursing homes for flushing pharmaceutical waste in Delaware and Putnam counties, which supply part of New York City’s drinking water.  Ten other facilities are under similar investigation.

]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Louisiana AG targets toxic drywall]]>
Louisiana Attorney General James Caldwell has filed a lawsuit against building supply manufacturers over 1.1 million sheets of toxic drywall used in buildings after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The drywall may cause various health problems, including asthma attacks and heart disease.

]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[H&R Block will refund $19 million for deceptive retirement accounts]]>
H&R Block Inc. agreed to pay up to $19.4 million to customers who bought “Express IRAs” retirement accounts, settling a lawsuit filed in New York in 2006.  Attorney General Andrew Cuomo claimed H&R block aggressively peddled the accounts, which were “virtually guaranteed” to lose money, without disclosing hidden fees or accurately describing interest rates.

]]> Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update - December 4 - 16, 2009]]> Visit http://stateag.org/consumer for details:

 

]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Vermont Attorney General dives into milk monopoly accusations]]>

Northeast dairy farmers accusing milk processors DFA, Dean Foods, and HP Hood of monopolistic practices have spurred Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell to solicit farmers’ testimonies and assess the prudence of an antitrust lawsuit.  In a separate class-action suit filed in October, the same milk processors were accused of conspiring to fix prices paid to farmers and of coercing dairy farmers into a limited number of low-paying bottling agreements.

]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[WA Attorney General McKenna sues DirecTV for big fees in small print]]>
Attorney General Rob McKenna is suing the nation’s largest satellite cable company, DirecTV, for obscuring large fees in its contracts.  McKenna’s office says Washington residents have filed more than 700 complaints against the company since 2006, including 375 this year.

]]> Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Forty-two AGs weigh in on deceptive credit report web sites]]>
In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, 42 state attorneys general urged the government to strengthen consumer protection against the deceptive marketing of free credit reports. In spite of federal law allowing consumers to obtain free credit reports, several web sites have emerged that market the reports as a benefit of other costly credit-related services that consumers rarely need.

]]> Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Verizon pays NJ and consumers in settlement]]>

Verizon New Jersey settled a state-filed lawsuit that had accused the company of violating state advertising regulations and the state Consumer Fraud Act while marketing and selling FiOS.  Agreeing to pay $795,000  to the state and provide $50 coupons to 1,160 customers who lodged complaints, Verizon did not admit wrongdoing or liability as it entered into the settlement.

]]> Mon, 7 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update - November 16-December 3, 2009]]> The following articles are available for viewing in the newest edition of the Consumer Protection Update:
Visit http://stateag.org/consumer for the full update.

]]> Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Connecticut AG probes flu medicine price-gouging]]>

Suspecting some pharmacies have been charging high out-of-pocket prices for flu medicine, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has asked CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens for information about how they have been pricing the drug.  Blumenthal also requested information about why the pharmacies may have changed the price of the drug over the last year.

]]> Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Facebook and Myspace purge websites of 3,500 NY-area sex offenders]]>

Two major social networking sites cooperated to identify and delete the accounts of over 3,500 New York State registered sex offenders upon the urging of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.  Both Facebook and Myspace had long-standing policies against sex offenders using their sites, but New York’s Electronic Securing and Targeting of Online Predators Act (“E-Stop”) made it easier for these sites to cross-reference the emails of registered sex offenders in New York with online accounts.

]]> Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[NY Attorney General sues United Homeless Organization]]>
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging the United Homeless Organization, which has long sponsored street-corner donation tables throughout New York City, is a sham. Cuomo claims its president and its director used tens of thousands of dollars from the group for personal expenses while failing to provide any services for the homeless.

 
]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Program Adviser Julie Brill Nominated for Federal Trade Commission Position]]>
Congratulations to Program Adviser and Lecturer-in-Law Julie Brill, who has been nominated by President Obama for a position as Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission. Brill, currently the Senior Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Consumer Protection and Antitrust at the North Carolina Department of Justice, co-teaches the "Role of the State Attorney General" seminar with Program Director James E. Tierney. Previously, she worked for 21 years as Assistant Attorney General of the Consumer Protection Division at the Vermont Attorney General's Office.
 
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, welcomed the nomination: “Julie Brill’s nomination will be a tonic for an FTC that too often over the last decade has languished while consumers’ interests have given way to special interests.
 
“Vermont has a vibrant record of consumer and privacy protection second to none, and Julie Brill did a masterful job in defending and renewing those rights. I am especially encouraged by her expertise on antitrust and privacy issues. Though these issues directly affect every American, they have not had the FTC’s full attention for far too long.”

]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update - October 29-November 11, 2009]]> Topics in this edition of the Consumer Protection Update include: 

 

·         Maine Attorney General Janet Mills sues company for unfair and deceptive practices in marketing debt settlement services.
·         Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan settles with internet based telephone provider Vonage for improper billing and marketing practices.
·         Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster sues six Missouri businesses for auto warranty fraud.
·         Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announces revocation of funeral home license and seeks restraining order freezing defendant's pre-need assets.
·         Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan sues marketing company for deceptively promising to reduce consumers' credit card interest rates.
·         New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram settles with Target Corporation
·         New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announces successful lawsuit against New York antique dealer for defrauding customers
·         Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott seeks restitution from fraudulent mortgage rescue firm.
·         Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum sues Florida companies for charging up-front fees failing to provide promised services.
·         Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott obtains agreement with Tagged.com which prevents it from misappropriating identities from its members.
·         New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo obtains agreement with Tagged.com preventing it from misappropriating identities from its members
·         Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sues New Jersey locksmiths for deceptively representing themselves as local businesses.
·         Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray sues Texas company for faulty and unfair services in connection with subprime and prime mortgages in Ohio.
·         Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett files suit against Philadelphia pet supply company for making false claims about charitable contributions and failing to provide refunds.
·         Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum sues Florida timeshare resale marketing companies.
·         Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett settles with Pennsylvania assisted living facility for failing to refund security deposits.

 

Please visit stateag.org/consumer for the full update.

]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Following FTC lead, Ohio AG sues to stop Blue Hippo]]>
Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray filed a lawsuit against BlueHippo Funding, LLC and BlueHippo Capital, LLC alleging that the joint companies violated consumer rights with deceptive sales of home computers through layaway and credit sales agreements. The lawsuit follows less than a week after the Federal Trade Commission brought Blue Hippo back to federal court to enforce a previous order.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Vonage settles multi-state case for multi-millions]]>
Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced a $3 million settlement with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider Vonage following an investigation into the company’s marketing habits. A seven state group led the investigation, and more states are participating in the settlement.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[California AG issues lead warning]]>

In a letter sent to six major retailers selling in California, state Attorney General Jerry Brown warned of a number of toys that were found to contain dangerous amounts of lead.  Children are particularly susceptible to the risk of lead poisoning and may ingest lead when they put toys in their mouths or transfer the lead from their hands to their mouths or to food.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[CVS settles with New York over sales of expired goods]]>

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that drug store chain CVS has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle charges that the company sold products as late as two years past their expiration dates.  Over-the-counter drugs, eggs, milk, and baby formula were among the items sold at over 142 CVS stores in New York after their expiration dates had lapsed.

]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Iowa Attorney General and 39 other AGs petition for larger role in consumer protection]]>

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is leading a group of 40 State Attorneys General in urging Congress to give state AGs the authority to enforce state consumer protection laws for federally chartered financial institutions.  Miller and Washington Attorney General Robert McKenna organized a letter from the 40 state AGs as Congress considers legislation to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

]]> Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[New York AG slaps Intel with antitrust lawsuit]]>

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has filed the first antitrust lawsuit against computer chipmaker Intel in more than a decade.  The lawsuit charges Intel with using large rebate offers and co-marketing arrangements to force various computer manufacturers, among them Dell, into using their chip rather than a smaller rival’s, AMD.

]]> Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Connecticut AG probing allegations of seasonal flu price-fixing and preferential treatment]]>

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal contacted 13 makers and distributers of seasonal flu vaccines over allegations of high price fixing and preferred treatment for big retailers.  The seasonal flu vaccines are in short supply due to the switch made by drug makers to produce the H1N1 vaccine.

]]> Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update, October 21-28, 2009]]> The newest Consumer Protection Update has been posted on the National State Attorneys General Program's website. Consumer protection items in this update include:

  • Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal calls on major food manufacturers to discontinue the use of the "Smart Choices" logo
  • Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum sues used car dealers for deceptive and unfair practices concerning warranty representations and deposit return policies.
  • Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray sues home decorating company for failure to deliver online purchases.
  • Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto obtains temporary injunction from twelve long distance telephone companies
  • South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster announces $45 million settlement from Eli Lilly for fraudulent prescription marketing
  • Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna brings action against auto dealer for deceptive practices and false statements involving auto sales
  • California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. sues State Street Bank and Trust for "unconscionable fraud" in overcharging California pension funds
  • Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum sues five debt settlement companies for falsely representing success rates to customers
  • Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster files actions against two Florida telemarketers for violating Missouri no-call laws
  • Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard obtains $1.3 million consent judgment from fraudulent foreclosure rescue companies
     
]]> Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST ]]> <![CDATA[Biotech giant sued by 15 states over kickback scheme]]>

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed a lawsuit with 14 other states in federal court in Massachusetts accusing Amgen Inc. and Amerisource of encouraging doctors to bill third-party insurers for samples they received for free.  The companies also allegedly offered medical professionals kickbacks or weekend retreats for selling its drug.

]]> Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[New York Attorney General announces $100 million Physician Fee Database]]>

One hundred million dollars from settlements with over a dozen insurance companies will go toward a new national database to help consumers understand insurance company reimbursements for out-of-network fees, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday.  Mr. Cuomo’s office had conducted an investigation into Ingenix and health insurance companies and determined that the industry systematically understated doctor’s fees for over a decade.  Within a year, a nonprofit company, FAIR Health, will be set up to take the place of the private database and provide consumers with accurate information.

]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Milgram, Cuomo, and now Bullock planning to sue FedEx Ground]]>

The Attorneys General of New Jersey, New York, and, most recently, Montana, have vowed to sue FedEx Ground, claiming that the business’s classification of its truck drivers as independent contractors is a violation of state labor laws.  About 30 states are investigating the FedEx Ground after many drivers have sued FedEx for the right to health benefits, union organization, and other rights not afforded to them under their current classification as independent contractors.

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[California AG accuses State Street Bank of fraud]]>

Jerry Brown, the Attorney General of California, has charged State Street Corporation with fraud, contending the State Street Currency traders consistently overcharged the two state pension funds for the costs of managing their accounts, cheating them of at least $56.6 million.  A spokeswoman for State Street said the bank denied any allegations of wrongdoing and would defend itself against any litigation.

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Cooperation among DOJ and three state AGs leads to $124 million settlement]]>

Several lawsuits brought by the Department of Justice against four pharmaceutical companies for failing to pay appropriate rebates to state Medicaid programs resulted in a $124 million settlement.  The Attorneys General of New York, New Hampshire, and Ohio assisted with the investigation.

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Connecticut AG questions health food labeling]]>

In a letter to Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo, Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal raised concern about “Smart Choices” package labels.  Designed to promote nutritional foods, the labels have been used nationally on many seemingly unhealthy products including sugary breakfast cereals and mayonnaise.  Blumenthal’s investigation will determine whether the labeling campaign violates the state’s consumer protection law, which bars misleading or false product claims.

]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Antitrust Federalism: Enhancing the Federal-State Relationship - Conference Overview]]> Antitrust Federalism Conference: Enhancing the Federal-State Relationship


On October 7, the National State Attorneys General Program, in conjunction with the National Association of Attorneys General, presented a conference that brought together the nation's top antitrust officials to discuss new enforcement initiatives and closer cooperation among federal and state antitrust enforcement agencies.
 
For a comprehensive overview of the summit-style meeting, including coverage of all keynote speakers' and panelists' comments, please view Law.com writer David Hechler's October 12 article, "Come (Back) Together: Antitrust Regulators Heal Old Rifts."
 
A transcript of the keynote address by Christine A. Varney, Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, at the U.S. Department of Justice has been posted at the USDOJ website.
 
In addition, program counsel and Antitrust Federalism panel moderator Stephen D. Houck's paper, "The Transition Report: The State of State Antitrust Enforcement," (PDF) is available for viewing.
 

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Bank of America waives attorney-client privilege in Cuomo investigation]]>

Bank of America waived its right to attorney-client privilege by handing over documents containing legal advice the bank received during its Merrill Lynch merger to the office of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is investigating the merger.  In a letter to Cuomo’s office, Bank of America says it will waive attorney-client privilege in five subjects.

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Report indicates positive effects of strong state anti-predatory lending laws]]> A study of the nationwide foreclosure crisis, conducted by the University of North Carolina Center for Community Capital and funded by the National State Attorneys General Program, has analyzed the effects of states' anti-predatory lending regulations. The Center has concluded that mortgages in states with stronger such laws were safer and had lower instances of delinquency and foreclosure, and that federal preemption of restrictions against national banks since 2004 has resulted in the significant and disproportionate growth in the share of the subprime lending market by these very large banks.

“State laws can only provide patchy protection if different types of lenders within a state are subject to different rules,” said Center president Roberto G. Quercia. “Based on these results, we recommend that federal regulators set minimum standards -- a floor, rather than a ceiling – and allow states to enact and enforce higher standards if they choose.”  

The full report is available online at the Center for Community Capital.

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Connecticut AG reaches agreement with vaccine maker]]>

The office of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal negotiated for 200,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine to be delivered to the state’s Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) for the elderly homebound population and emergency medical responders.  Initially, the vaccine maker Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostic, Inc. said the Connecticut VNA would receive close to 30 percent fewer doses than it had ordered. 

]]> Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Kroger to Holder: Revive the Roadless Rule]]>

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, along with Governor Ted Kulongoski, wrote an urgent letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in defense of undeveloped wilderness areas.  The state AG supports the 2001 “Roadless Rule,” which had banned road building and commercial logging on 40 million acres of pristine forest land in 38 states and Puerto Rico, but was repealed under the Bush Administration.  In August a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the ban, which Kroger lauded.  Attorneys General from four states filed suit to reinstate the ban: Oregon, California, New Mexico, and Washington.

]]> Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Cuomo announces guilty pleas in pay-to-play pension scandal]]>

Raymond Harding, the one-time head of New York’s now-defunct Liberal Party, entered a guilty plea for a securities fraud involving more than $800,000 in kickbacks from investment companies doing business with New York’s public pension fund.  State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo also announced a guilty plea by Saul Meyer, co-founder of the Dallas investment firm Aldus Equity, for various cases of fraud.  Both Meyer and Harding have agreed to cooperate in a wider pension probe.

 

]]> Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Massachusetts AG petitions U.S. Department of Energy]]>

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and Department of Commissioner Phil Giudice have petitioned the U.S. Department of Energy to gain permission to enforce a Massachusetts gas furnace efficiency standard that is stricter than the federal standard.  In order to implement its stricter 90% efficiency standard rather than the federal 80% standard, Massachusetts would need a waiver from the Department of Energy.

]]> Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Consumer Protection Update - September 29-October 5, 2009]]> The current Consumer Protection Update features the following news articles:

  • September 15: Attorney General Cuomo Settles With Dell Over Misleading Marketing and Abusive Collection Practices
  • September 15: Attorney General Madigan Files Suit Over Mortgage Fraud Scheme
  • September 16: Attorney General Koster Brokers Agreement with No-Call Law Violators
  • September 22: Attorney General Swanson Takes On Credit Card Interest Scammers
  • September 23: New Jersey, Finance Company Announce Agreement to Provide Titles for Vehicles Purchased at Now-Defunct Dealership
  • September 24: Attorney General McCollum Sues Miami Wellness Company for Deceptive Marketing
  • September 28: Swanson Fights Minnesota Employment Assistance Fraudsters
  • September 28: Attorney General Conway Sues Merck Over Vioxx Marketing
  • September 28: Indictments Against Massachusetts Real Estate Fraudsters
  • September 29: Attorney General Cuomo Charges Debt Collectors for Alleged Illegal Threats
  • September 29: Maryland Consumer Protection Division Wins Judgment Against Foreclosure Rescue Scammers
  • September 29: Attorney General Blumenthal Settles Zyprexa Case with Eli Lilly & Co.

Visit the Consumer Protection Update for details.

]]> Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Connecticut AG scrutinizes state health insurers]]>

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal sent a notice to five state health insurers requesting materials that the insurers had sent to their customers concerning healthcare reform.  Blumenthal and state healthcare advocate Kevin Lembo are trying to ascertain whether state health insurers are sending misleading materials to medicare recipients, just as federal officials investigate Humana, Inc. for allegedly sending deceptive material to its policyholders.

]]> Fri, 2 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[ACORN videotape receives state attention]]>

California Attorney General Jerry Brown has opened an investigation into ACORN and the circumstances surrounding a videotape that may show employees of the group giving advice about brothels.  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged the state Attorney General to prosecute the allegations, if true, under the fullest extent of the law.

]]> Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[California AG sues credit servics company]]>

California Attorney General Jerry Brown is suing the owners of Executive Financial Credit Services for repeatedly ignoring warnings to register with his office and post a $100,000 bond.  The suit seeks a permanent injunction which would prohibit the company from operating illegally and seek civil penalties greater than $200,000 and restitution for the victims.

]]> Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Pennsylvania AG fights dog and animal fighting]]>

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett and the Humane Society of the Unites States announced a reward program offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in illegal dog and animal fighting.

]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Minnesota AG charges employment agency of fraud]]> Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit against The Arthur Group, a Minneapolis-based headhunting company, accusing the company of fraud and deceptive trade practices.  The lawsuit contends the company lured job seekers with the false prospect of accessing numerous job openings if the client paid as much as $4,500 for the company to improve their résumés and upgrade their interviewing skills.

 

]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Kansas receives $1 million to crack down on meth]]> Kansas Attorney General Steve Six announced the state will receive a $1 million grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to crack down on methamphetamine manufacturing and trafficking.  The grant provides funds to train law enforcers and local prosecutors to build and prosecute complex meth cases.

 

]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Ohio AG challenges Bank of America over Merrill Lynch aquisition]]>

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray filed a lawsuit on behalf of pension funds from Ohio, Texas, Sweden, and the Netherlands accusing Bank of America and four of its executives of concealing losses at Merrill Lynch and Co. ahead of a shareholder vote to approve the bank’s purchase of the company.  This announcement is the latest legal challenge to the company over its acquisition of Merrill, as New York AG Andrew Cuomo, the Securities and Exchange Commission, a U.S. Treasury investigator, and Congressional lawmakers have all said to be investigating the deal.  The present litigation attempts to recoup pension fund losses incurred when Bank of America’s share price fell after purchasing Merrill.

]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]> <![CDATA[Kentucky AG files lawsuit against pharmaceutical]]>

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway filed a lawsuit against drug producer Merck & Co. over alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Act.  Conway alleges the company deceptively promoted the anti-inflammatory Vioxx without mentioning risks of cardiovascular side effects of which they were aware.

]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT ]]>