FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA -- On January 6, 2011 William J. Schneider was sworn in as Maine?s 56th Attorney General by Governor Paul LePage. He was born and raised in Elma, New York son of Clayton and Phyllis Schneider. He graduated from the United State Military Academy at West Point and went on to serve with distinction in the U.S. Army, earning his Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab and Senior Airborne Wings, and being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He earned his law degree from the University of Maine Law School in 1993.

On the morning of April 23, 2010, Maine State Police Trooper Robert Flynn was dispatched to Van Buren to investigate a report that Neil Begin had threatened his wife, his adult son, and his son?s girlfriend with a high-powered hunting rifle the previous night at the family?s residence in Cyr Plantation. Begin was described by family members as highly intoxicated at the time of the threats.

Contact: Kate SimmonsPhone: (207) 626-8577

West Gardiner Man Sentenced to 21 Days in Jail for Failing to Pay Taxes

Augusta?Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today that Joseph Darling, age 42, of West Gardiner was sentenced to jail last week in Augusta District Court for failing to pay his Maine income taxes from 2004 through 2007. Darling, an employee at Bath Iron Works, pled no contest to the charges.

Facts

On the morning of July 8, 2010, James F. Popkowski, 37, of Medway, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers during an armed confrontation on the grounds of the Togus hospital facility of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs off Route 17 in Augusta.

Contact: Kate Simmons(207) 626-8577

Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today that Maine has joined a $13.25 million multistate agreement with DIRECTV to settle allegations of deceptive and unfair sales practices. Additionally, some consumers who have had problems with DIRECTV may be eligible for a refund directly from the company.

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Kate Simmons(207) 626-8577

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: (207) 626-8577

The internet offers endless possibilities for finding the perfect gift without even having to go to the store. Many consumers are concerned about the safety of shopping on the internet. With so many products and companies to choose from, how do you sort out which online retailers are legitimate and which to avoid? Following these tips will help protect you from online scams and rip-offs.

Attorney General Mills announced progress in her negotiations with GMAC Mortgage LLC and Bank of America regarding their foreclosure practices in Maine.

GMAC has agreed that it will temporarily halt sales on homes that have been foreclosed on, pending further talks to resolve the Attorney General?s concerns about the company?s foreclosure procedures.

Contact: Kate Simmons(207) 626-8577

Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced that $135,000 in proceeds from a court case will soon help to feed the hungry in Maine. The funds, which result from a price-fixing case against major vitamin companies, will be donated to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, the state?s largest distributor of emergency food to those in need. A small portion of the settlement funds will also go to the State?s Emergency Food Assistance Program to purchase food for low-income Mainers.