Arizona Attorney General

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=216642920058&ref=mf Wed...

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:11:33 -0700

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=216642920058&ref=mf

Wednesday, January 6, 20108:00am - 12:00pm
Sun City West Foundation14465 West R.H. Johnson BlvdSun City West, AZ

The Attorney General’s Senior Anti-Crime University will offer classes in:

• Consumer Fraud & Scams
• Life Care Planning/Health Care Directives
• Financial Exploitation
• Health Care/Medicare Fraud
• Reverse mortgages/mortgage scams
• Identity Theft
• Elder Abuse & Neglect
• Charitable Giving
• Personal Safety
• Internet Safety

More Information:
http://www.azag.gov/seniors/sleuths/sacu.html

ONLINE REGISTRATION:

http://www.azag.gov/seniors/sleuths/sacureg.html

"This sacred week, please keep the wife and four children of DPS Officer Marano in your prayers. He..."

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:42:09 -0700

“This sacred week, please keep the wife and four children of DPS Officer Marano in your prayers. He died pursuing justice”

Terry Goddard speaks out on budget cut proposal

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:50:36 -0700

Terry Goddard speaks out on budget cut proposal

Starting this week, Walmart will display End the Silence, End...

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:17:09 -0700

Starting this week, Walmart will display End the Silence, End the Violence awareness posters in the womens bathrooms of all of its 91 stores statewide. The poster features information on the 24-hour domestic violence resources available to Arizonans. This includes access to emergency shelter services as well as legal assistance, case management and counseling.

Statewide Domestic Violence Prevention Campaign Announced

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:12:00 -0700

Attorney General Terry Goddard; Michael Bender, Regional Vice President of Walmart; and Allie Bones, Executive Director of the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, today announced a new statewide domestic violence prevention campaign, “End the Silence, End the Violence.”

This campaign will provide women with information on how to find help and keep themselves and their families safe from domestic abuse. It is expected to reach as many as 455,000 women each week.

Starting this week, Walmart will display End the Silence, End the Violence awareness posters in the women’s bathrooms of all of its 91 stores statewide. The poster features information on the 24-hour domestic violence resources available to Arizonans. This includes access to emergency shelter services as well as legal assistance, case management and counseling.

“I am committed to a system of justice that holds offenders accountable for their actions as well as remembers and respects the victims of crime,” Goddard said. “The End the Silence, End the Violence campaign says domestic violence is unacceptable and that we as a community and State will not tolerate it.”

“Walmart is committed to helping people live better. Through these posters we want to let our customers know that if they, or someone they know, are living in an abusive situation, there are resources available to help them make a change for the better,” said Michael Bender, Regional Vice President of Walmart.

“The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence is proud to be a part of the End the Silence, End the Violence campaign,” Allie Bones, Executive Director, exclaimed. “As an organization committed to raising the profile of the issue of domestic violence and ensuring that victims know of resources available in the community, we embrace opportunities that convey to a broad audience that lifesaving services are available for victims of domestic violence.”

Law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem of domestic violence. Early intervention and appropriate services are also needed to stop abuse from continuing. This is especially critical because when abuse continues, there is a tendency is for the violence to escalate. Access to information about services available is a barrier that isolated and abused women face. Partnerships that bring private, community and law enforcement resources together to help victims find the information and community support they need are critical for addressing this tragic and all-to-common crime.

The End the Silence, End the Violence campaign is uniquely positioned to reach women suffering in an abusive home. The hope is that by having information available in a non-traditional space, such as Walmart stores, it will reach those who otherwise might not have an opportunity to know that help is available. This campaign has the potential to truly save lives.

This is the third state in which Walmart has partnered with an Attorney General to prevent domestic violence. Recently, the national retailer partnered with the Kansas and Oklahoma Attorneys General.

The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence was formed in 1980 so that concerned citizens and professionals could unite through this statewide organization to increase public awareness about the issue of domestic violence, enhance the safety of and services for domestic violence victims, and reduce the incidence of domestic violence in Arizona families. Since its inception, the Coalition has served as an advocate and a voice representing the needs of domestic violence service providers and the victims they serve throughout Arizona.

The End the Silence, End the Violence campaign is one of many resources provided by the Attorney General’s Office to victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. In 2005, Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology established the CUT IT OUT program in Arizona.

This national outreach program draws on the cosmetology community’s unique skills and access to women by providing salon professionals training and information on how to spot the signs domestic violence. The Attorney General’s Office of Victim Services provides services to facilitate justice and healing for Arizona’s crime victims as well as to support criminal and juvenile justice system entities statewide in the administration of victims’ rights laws. These include the Victims’ Rights Program which provides financial assistance to criminal justice agencies, the Victims’ Rights Enforcement Program and Victims’ Rights Training.

In fiscal year 2009, the National Domestic Violence Hotline received 22,358 calls, and the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Legal Advocacy Hotline received 2,354 calls from victims/survivors of domestic violence.

Also that year, 11,209 Arizona adults and children received services from 32 shelters in 13 counties. The average length of stay in emergency shelter was 33 days. A total of 373,601 nights of shelter were provided to adults and children during the year. Forty-seven percent of those who received emergency shelter services were children.

Approximately 125 women die every year in Arizona as a result of domestic violence. In addition, 15-25 perpetrators commit suicide each year in Arizona. There have been 103 domestic violence-related homicides in Arizona so far in 2009.

In Arizona, every five minutes a law enforcement officer responds to a domestic violence call. An estimated 4.5 million physical assaults are committed against U.S. women by intimate partners each year.

Consumer Advisory: Roman Shades, Roll-Up Blinds Recalled Due to Strangulation Risk

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:55:56 -0700

Consumer Advisory: Roman Shades, Roll-Up Blinds Recalled Due to Strangulation Risk:

(Phoenix, Ariz. — Dec. 15, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard today urged all Arizonans, especially those with children in their homes, to take note of a national recall of all Roman shades…

Consumer Advisory: Roman Shades, Roll-Up Blinds Recalled Due to Strangulation Risk

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:42:00 -0700

Attorney General Terry Goddard today urged all Arizonans, especially those with children in their homes, to take note of a national recall of all Roman shades and roll-up blinds announced earlier today. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in conjunction with the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), said today that all Roman shades and roll-up blinds are being voluntarily recalled due to the risk of strangulation to young children. Millions of these window coverings are sold in the United States each year. The CPSC has received reports of eight deaths and 16 near-strangulations in connection with these products in recent years.

==============================================================

According to federal regulators, anyone with Roman shades or roll-up blinds in their home should contact the WCSC immediately at www.windowcoverings.org or (800) 506-4636 to receive a free repair kit.

Federal regulators also gave the following guidelines for those with children in their homes:

-Examine all shades and blinds in the home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. CPSC and the WCSC recommend the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.

-Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the windows because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.

-Make loose cords inaccessible.

-If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.

Additional information on this recall is available from the CPSC on their Web site, www.cpsc.gov, or by calling (800) 638-2772.

Consumer Advisory: Two Infant Deaths Prompt Recall of Amby Baby Beds

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:53:26 -0700

Consumer Advisory: Two Infant Deaths Prompt Recall of Amby Baby Beds:

(Phoenix, Ariz. - Dec. 10, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard today warned consumers of the dangers of Amby Baby Motion Beds, which were involved in the suffocation deaths of two infants in…

Goddard Cautions Parents to Check Video Game Ratings Before Buying

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:34:45 -0700

Goddard Cautions Parents to Check Video Game Ratings Before Buying:

(Phoenix, Ariz. - Dec. 10, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard today urged parents and other shoppers to pay careful attention to the age and content ratings provided by the Entertainment…

Attorney General Terry Goddard today invited West Valley...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:05:08 -0700

Attorney General Terry Goddard today invited West Valley residents to shred old documents in an effort to prevent identity theft. On December 19, the Attorney General’s Office will co-host a free shred-a-thon at the Avondale City Hall from 9 a.m. to noon.

What: West Valley Shred-A-Thon
When: December 19
9 a.m. - noon
Where: Avondale City Hall Complex
11465 W. Civic Center Dr.
Avondale, Ariz.

Shred A Thon Avondale Flyer. 12.09.pdf

"Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard will be in Washington on Thursday to meet with executives..."

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:04:20 -0700

“Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard will be in Washington on Thursday to meet with executives from some of the nation’s largest banks.”

- Ariz. AG, bank execs meet about mortgage crisis

Solid Year Summarized in 2009 Annual Report

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:02:15 -0700

The many accomplishments and broad scope of work of the Attorney General’s Office during the past fiscal year are presented in our 2009 Annual Report.

The 49-page document provides an overview of the Office and recaps impresive achievements by each of our seven divisions from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. The report’s front section highlights major cases and initiatives, which include:

— A multi-faceted effort to increase border security and fight organized crime crossing the border.

— Aggressive legal action against fraudulent foreclosure rescue businesses that have victimized Arizona homeowners.

— A string of major lawsuits and settlements to stop deceptive marketing and advertising.

— A court victory to protect Luke Air Force Base from encroaching development that could jeopardize its future.

— A $1 million price accuracy settlement with Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer.

The report also describes the Office’s responsibilities and jurisdiction (page 4), lays out the impact of state budget cuts on the Office (pages 5 and 6), provides a chart listing the year’s Top 10 Consumer Complaints (page 26) and includes a breakdown of more than $267 million the Office generated last year for the State and taxpayers (page 13).

One other notable measure of the Office’s cost-effectiveness is our consistently strong record in defending the State against liability lawsuits. Claims of more than $2.4 billion were filed during the year, and we were able to resolve them for $8.5 million.

Our attorneys and staff work hard for the citizens of Arizona and gave an even greater effort last year in response to staffing cuts connected to the State’s budget deficit. I’m proud of our team and all that we’ve achieved. Click here to review our 2009 Annual Report.

Attorney General Settles Deceptive Advertising Suit for $175,000

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:40:46 -0700

Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced a $175,000 settlement resolving a consumer fraud lawsuit against the owners and operators of Amir & Sanchez Nutraceuticals, a Tucson-based company. The lawsuit alleges that Larby Amirouche, 20, and Robert Thomas Norton, 22, violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act by using deceptive advertising techniques.

According to court documents, the defendants used the Internet to advertise “14-day risk-free” trial offers of various “nutritional supplements,” purportedly for only a nominal cost for shipping and handling. The defendants failed to adequately disclose to consumers material terms and conditions that rendered the trial offers far from “risk-free” and resulted in significant, unauthorized charges to consumers.

Documents also state that the defendants failed to adequately disclose to consumers who ordered a “risk-free trial offer” that unless they canceled within the “14-day trial period” they would be charged full price for the product, plus additional shipping and handling, and would automatically receive subsequent monthly shipments of the product.

The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants falsely represented that consumers could cancel by simply calling a toll-free telephone number, when frequently consumers could not get through to a customer service representative or were put on hold for long periods of time and sometimes disconnected. Court documents state that many consumers were told that their cancellation request could not be processed due to technical problems or were led to believe that their cancellation request was processed only to be charged for more unauthorized orders.

Additionally, documents state that the defendants deceptively enrolled consumers into “21-day free memberships” of diet consultation programs that required the consumer to take affirmative action to avoid subsequent monthly charges.

The settlement calls for the defendants to pay $140,000 in civil penalties, $15,000 in costs and fees and $20,000 in restitution.

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Cherie Howe, and the lawsuit was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court.

This is the second nutrition supplement fraud case the Attorney General’s Office has settled in recent months. In June 2009, Goddard announced a record $1,375,000 settlement with Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. and its Phoenix owner for allegedly defrauding customers purchasing nutritional supplements.

If you believe that you have been a victim of nutrition supplement fraud or other fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763, in Tucson at 520.628.6504 or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro area at 1.800.352.8431. To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General’s Office has satellite offices throughout Arizona with volunteers available to help. Locations and hours are posted on the Attorney General’s Web site, www.azag.gov. An online complaint form is also posted on the Attorney General’s Web site.

Attorney General Files Consumer Fraud Lawsuit over Fictitious Lock Smith Business

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:19:27 -0700

Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that he has filed a lawsuit against David Sasson and David Peer, both of Clearwater, Fla., and Gilad Gill of Bronx, New York, for violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. Court documents allege that the defendants advertised at least 47 fictitious businesses in the Tucson Yellow Pages. All of these businesses, when called, would allegedly redirect consumers to the same call center in Clearwater, Fla. The call center would then contact a local agent in Arizona to respond to the call and perform the requested services.

The complaint alleges the defendants violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act by:

●Falsely representing that consumers had the option of contacting numerous locksmith companies, when all calls redirected consumers to the same call center.

●Falsely representing the location of the businesses.

●Falsely representing that they were members of Associated Locksmiths of America.

Documents also state that an advertisement for Priceline Locksmith, owned by Gill, included the Associated Locksmiths of America’s logo. Gill’s membership in the association was revoked in December 2005, but he continued to use the logo until July 2007.

The lawsuit asks the defendants to pay full restitution to victims and pay a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Taren Ellis in Pima County Superior Court.

“Arizonans have the right to be treated fairly by companies that want their business,” Goddard said. “I appreciate the cooperation in this case by the Associated Locksmiths of America. When businesses play by the rules, the market is more competitive and consumers win.”

If you believe you have been a victim of consumer fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763, in Tucson at 520.628.6504, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1.800.352.8431. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting
the Attorney General’s Web site at www.azag.gov. To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General’s Office has satellite offices throughout the state with volunteers available to help.

Saturday, December 199:00 AM - 12:00 PM West Valley Winter...

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:55:20 -0700

Saturday, December 19
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM West Valley Winter SHRED-A-THON
w\ the Cities and Towns of Buckeye, Avondale, Tolleson & Goodyear
at the Town of Avondale City Complex
11465 W Civic Center Dr.
Avondale, AZ
(map) (flyer)

Saturday, December 199:00 AM - 12:00 PM North Tucson-Oro Valley...

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:54:45 -0700

Saturday, December 19
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM North Tucson-Oro Valley Winter SHRED-A-THON
Rural/Metro Fire Department #76
490 W. Magee Rd.
Tucson, AZ
(map) (flyer)

Poster Contest to Raise Awareness of Elder Abuse

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:58:00 -0700

In an effort to make young people aware of the tragedy of elder abuse, Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Arizona Area Agencies on Aging and the Arizona Elder Abuse Coalition have partnered to sponsor the 2010 “Why Should I Care about Elder Abuse?” student arts competition.

“This is the second year we have held this competition, and it has helped increase attention to elder abuse,” said Goddard. “While my office continues to prosecute those who commit this crime, only through awareness can we stop abuse before it begins.”

High school juniors throughout Arizona are invited to create an original artwork illustrating the question, “Why Should I Care about Elder Abuse?” This contest will help spotlight the need to protect their grandparents, friends and neighbors. Elder abuse includes financial fraud or exploitation, neglect and physical abuse. It is one of the most underreported crimes in Arizona.

Entries are due February 17, 2010, at your local Area Agency on Aging. Regional winners will be announced in March. Local area contest winners will receive first, second and third place prizes of $100, $75, and $50. Three winners from each Area Agency on Aging will then compete for statewide prizes. Statewide contest winners will receive first, second and third place prizes of $500, $250, and $100, and six honorable mentions will receive $25.

Winning artworks will also be used on a poster to promote a statewide elder abuse awareness campaign held to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2010.

RULES:

• Arizona high school juniors are eligible to enter.

• An Entry Form must be attached to each contest
entry

• All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on February
17, 2010 to your local Area Agency on Aging.

• Winners of the local competition will be announced
March 2010.

• These 3 winners will be sent on to the state
competition.

• Winners of the State Competition will be announced
in April 2010.

• The winning artists will have the opportunity to
appear in promotional activities, including press
conferences and interviews.

• The winning artworks will be incorporated into a fullsized
poster for use in a statewide Elder Abuse
Awareness campaign.

Elder Abuse Prev. 2010 Contest Flyer General.pdf
Elder Abuse Prev. 2010 Student Arts Contest Entry Form 2010.pdf

For additional information, contest rules and to find your local Area Agency on Aging, go to www.azag.gov .

Arizona to Host National Association of Attorneys General Winter...

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:57:37 -0700

Arizona to Host National Association of Attorneys General Winter Meeting

The conference will cover a range of high-priority topics, including law enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border and actions taken in various states to stop mortgage fraud. In addition, officials representing more than two dozen American Indian tribal communities across the Southwest will join the Attorneys General on Wednesday for discussions on state-tribal law enforcement collaboration.

Guest speakers and panelists at the conference will include U.S.v Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk; Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch and Justices Andrew Hurwitz and W. Scott Bales; Paul Berman, Dean of ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law; and the Honorable David Ogden, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice.

This event is closed to the press and the public.

Terry Goddard Offers Tips for Avoiding Lead in Toys

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:56:05 -0700

Terry Goddard Offers Tips for Avoiding Lead in Toys:

(Phoenix, Ariz. - Nov. 25, 2009) Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard today urged parents and anyone buying toys for children this holiday season to take steps to avoid toys contaminated with…

Terry Goddard Offers Consumer Tips, Web Page for Holiday Shopping

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:56:05 -0700

Terry Goddard Offers Consumer Tips, Web Page for Holiday Shopping:

(Phoenix, Ariz. - Nov. 24, 2009) With the first big day of the holiday shopping season coming on “Black Friday,” November 27, followed by “Cyber Monday” on November 30, Attorney General Terry…