State AGs In The News - March 13th, 2014

Hot News

National Consumer Protection Week: Attorneys General List Top Consumer Complaints

In honor of National Consumer Protection Week, a number of AG offices have posted lists of the top consumer complaints received by their offices in 2013. Topics have included debt collection, telecommunications (mobile phones, cable, satellite television), lending, identity theft, health services, and more. For additional coverage, please see our in-depth blog post. Filing Deadline and Primary Update: AG Races in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Nebraska, and Texas

With the 2014 election season well underway, the filing period for candidates in state elections closed last week in Arkansas, California, Georgia, and Nebraska. In addition, Texas recently held its primary election. We have compiled a list of those who have declared their candidacy for AG in these states, as well as the Texas primary results. Please see our recent blog post to learn more. Antitrust/Energy

Michigan Attorney General Files Criminal Charges Against Two Energy Companies for Alleged Conspiracy to Cause Oil and Gas Lease Price Decline

Michigan AG Bill Schuette filed criminal charges against Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Encana Oil and Gas USA alleging that the two companies conspired to cause oil and gas lease prices to drop by collaborating to avoid bidding wars against each other both in Michigan public auctions and private negotiations for these leases. The companies allegedly agreed to divide counties so that each company would be an exclusive bidder for public and private leases in those counties. In the auction that followed the alleged agreement, the state-held lease price dropped from $1,510 per acre to less than $40 per acre. The companies were charged with one count each of antitrust violations relating to a contract or conspiracy in restraint of commerce and one count each of attempted antitrust violations. Representatives from each company are scheduled to be arraigned on March 19, 2014 before Cheboygan County's 89th District Court. Consumer Protection

North Dakota Attorney General Issues Cease and Desist Order Against Massachusetts Telemarketer

North Dakota AG Wayne Stenehjem issued a cease and desist order against Northshore Publishers (also doing business as Northshore Publishing and North Shore Marketing) for alleged violations of North Dakota's consumer fraud, do not call, and home solicitation laws. The AG alleges that Northshore Publishers solicited magazine renewal subscriptions from North Dakota consumers by telephone, including consumers who were registered on a do not call list, and charged their credit cards immediately in violation of a state law requiring a signed sales contract from the consumer. The order prohibits future advertising, solicitation, or selling of merchandise to North Dakota consumers. Violations of the order are subject to a $1,000 penalty per violation, with additional penalties provided for violations of any consumer protection laws. Missouri Attorney General Files Multiple Lawsuits Against...