AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider has joined 37 other states in a $90 million settlement with GlaxoSmithKline LLC (GSK), resolving allegations that the pharmaceutical company unlawfully promoted its diabetes drug, Avandia, by misrepresenting its cardiovascular risks and safety profile.

The settlement will bring more than $1.2 million to the State of Maine.

?Patients rely on safety claims made by pharmaceutical companies,? said Attorney General Schneider. ?This settlement will help ensure that patients are not put at risk by misleading marketing.?

Day One Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services will present an award tonight to the Maine Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force at the Day One 39th Annual Celebration at Sable Oaks in South Portland. Attorney General William J. Schneider will accept the award on behalf of the Task Force.

Drug Company to Pay $34 Million to States to Resolve Kickback and Marketing Claims

South Thomaston Woman Sentenced for Failure to Pay Income TaxesWill Serve 90 Day Jail Sentence and Pay $7,086 in Restitution

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Gertrude Black, 60, of South Thomaston, was sentenced yesterday for failing to file Maine Income Tax Returns and pay the tax due for 2007 through 2010. Knox County District Court Judge Susan Sparaco sentenced Black to 364 days, with all but 90 days suspended, and 1 year of administrative release. Black will have to pay $7,086 in restitution for the tax due.

AUGUSTA – Attorney General William J. Schneider joined state workers, retirees and local citizens today in collecting prescription drugs as part of this week’s National Prescription Drug Take Back effort. Attorney General Schneider asked state employees to “Lead the Way” in safely disposing of unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Theresa M. Rice-Goodrich, 32, of Clinton, plead guilty in Kennebec County Superior Court on September 25, 2012 to one count of Theft by Deception and one count of Unsworn Falsification. She was sentenced to three years of incarceration, all but nine months and one day suspended, two years of probation, and ordered to pay $46,394 in restitution for the Class C theft. The sentence for the unsworn falsification charge was nine months and one day, to be served concurrently.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider issued the following statement today:

?We are disappointed in the decision of the First Circuit Court of Appeals to decline to order the federal government to conduct an expedited review of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services State Plan Amendment by the date of October 1, 2012.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William Schneider announced today that attorney Brenda Kielty has been selected to serve as Maine?s first Public Access Ombudsman.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that former psychologist John A. Keefe, 60, of Veazie, pled guilty to one count of Class B theft by deception and one count of Class C gross sexual assault for engaging in sexual acts with a client and billing MaineCare for mental health therapy services for that client.

Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster to pay $69 Million Total to Resolve Conspiracy Allegations