Anheuser-Busch Alcoholic Energy Drink Assurance of Voluntary Compliance
IN RE:
ANHEUSER-BUSCH, INC.
ASSURANCE OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCEAND VOLUNTARY DISCONTINUANCE
JK Harris and Financial Recovery Systems: partial refunds for consumers
Two South Carolina companies who purported to help people in financial trouble but were actually offering little or no benefit at all have agreed to stop misleading consumers. The North Charleston, SC companies JK Harris, a tax-relief company that did not deliver on its claim to settle IRS debts for ?pennies on the dollar?, and Financial Recovery Systems, LLC, a credit repair company that sent out bogus notices to make people think they needed credit help, have agreed to pay $1.5 million in refunds to consumer across the country.
State Files Offer of Judgment with Richardson Hollow for Unpaid Wage Violations
Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe and Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman announced today the filing of an Offer of Judgment made by Richardson Hollow, where the company agreed to pay $190,193.72 in back wages and vacation pay.
The judgment covers 126 former employees of Richardson Hollow who were not paid when the business closed in September 2007. The Office of Attorney General filed a complaint for back wages against the company in Androscoggin County Superior Court in October of 2007.
Maine and 30 Other States Share $58 Million in a Record Breaking Settlement with Merck Pharmaceutical Resolving a Three Year Investigation
Attorney General Steven Rowe today filed a stipulated judgment with Merck and Company, Inc. resolving a three-year investigation by 30 states concerning the company's deceptive promotion of the anti-inflammatory "Cox-2" drug Vioxx. In addition to a $58 million payment to the participating states, with Maine's share being $1.1 million the judgment filed in the Kennebec County Superior Court will restrict Merck's ability to deceptively promote other Merck products.
Land Lord Agrees to Stop Automatic Early Termination Fees
Attorney General Steve Rowe announced today that Port Property Management, a Maine corporation which manages over 700 residential apartments in Portland and South Portland, has agreed to a Court-ordered Consent Decree which bars it from automatically charging an Early Termination Fee whenever a tenant has to leave the apartment before the lease has expired.
State Seeks Additional Partners in Fight Against Youth Smoking
Attorney General Steve Rowe, Public Health Director Dr. Dora Mills and the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine are seeking to add to the more than 600 retailers across Maine that participate in the ?NO BUTS? (Blocking Underage Tobacco Sales) program. The drive to enroll new retailers follows the distribution of an updated brochure and training DVD that was sent to participating merchants in April.
AG Settles in Case of Deceptive Advertising
Attorney General Steve Rowe announced today that the State has entered into a Consent Decree with Level 10 Marketing, Inc., a New Orleans corporation, and Newcastle Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Newcastle Maine. The Consent Decree, which was signed by Kennebec County Superior Court, prohibits the two companies from using unfair and deceptive advertisements or practices such as sales ?vouchers? which appear to promise ?$4,000 Instant Savings? when in fact such savings are not realized.
Tips to Help Flood Victims Avoid Fraud and Scams
The flood waters that poured into Aroostook County this week damaged homes, roads and businesses, but Attorney General Steve Rowe warns that people need to be on guard to ensure that they are not victims a second time.
?After natural disasters, door to door salespeople hit the street offering clean up and repair services. While many of these people are honest and reputable, some are not.? Rowe said, ?It is important to protect your home and your wallet from unscrupulous scam artists.?
Former Nursing Home Employee and Wife are Sentenced for Stealing From Elderly Resident
Today, Attorney General Steve Rowe announced that Joel Palmer, Jr., and his wife Shannon Marie Palmer, both of Augusta, were sentenced Wednesday for stealing credit cards from a 97 year old resident of a nursing facility, and then embarking upon a shopping spree of over 100 transactions in the amount of more than $9,000 over a two month period.
Working Group Releases Second Report on Sub Prime Crisis
The State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group, a group of state attorneys general and banking regulators working to prevent home foreclosures, issued a report Tuesday concluding that efforts have increased but are falling far short of the need to address the foreclosure crisis and prevent millions of unnecessary foreclosures. A copy of the full report entitled ?Analysis of Subprime Mortgage Servicing Performance? is available on the Maine Attorney General?s website at www.maine.gov/ag.