From Burr to Harris: AG to VP
What does Kamala Harris have in common with Aaron Burr and Martin Van Buren? All three served as state attorney general before becoming U.S. Senator and then Vice President of the United States. In fact, this is the same path to the Vice Presidency that 10% of all Vice Presidents have followed since Aaron Burr’s…
States’ Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Helps Implement CDC Strategies to Reduce Tobacco Use
The Centers for Disease Control recently published results from its 2020 National Health Interview Survey on the subject of “Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2019.”1 The CDC summarized the survey’s findings as follows: “In 2019, approximately 20.8% of U.S. adults (50.6 million) currently used any tobacco product. Cigarettes were the most commonly…
Challenge to the FTC’s Disgorgement Authority to be Heard by Supreme Court
Led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a bipartisan coalition of 30 attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) right to obtain disgorgement and restitution for victims of deceptive practices in cases filed in U.S. district court under Section 13(b) of the FTC Act. The…
“Admitted to Practice,” “Practicing Lawyer,” “Active Practice”—What Attorney General Qualifications Mean
It is unusual for courts to decide on the qualifications for candidates for state attorney general, but it has happened in three states during the past two election cycles. Although it was the most recently decided, the California case about attorney general qualifications was filed before the 2018 election. A petition for writ of mandamus…
Fighting Corruption through International Cooperation
Public corruption investigations have resulted in record fines, numerous prison sentences, and even political fallout in several Latin American countries. The investigation and prosecution of Odebrecht scandal illustrates some of the ways that countries can work together to reduce public corruption.
NAAG Recognizes Outstanding Award Recipients
Each year, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) is proud to honor members of the attorney general community for their outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions to the work of the organization. These coveted awards honor the many efforts of the hardworking and passionate staff and leaders from attorneys general offices who devote their unique…
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: A Primer
This article was originally published in the NAGTRI Center for Consumer Protection Monthly newsletter. Servicemembers face a number of unique challenges as consumers. Not only are members of the military and their families, who are often young and financially inexperienced but who have a steady income, frequently the target of deceptive practices and scams, they…
Using Consumer Protection Laws to Ensure Consumers’ Access to Affordable Healthcare
In 2015, the Consumer Protection Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office began an initiative to prosecute unfair and deceptive trade practices that affect Washingtonians’ access to affordable healthcare under our state Consumer Protection Act.
U.S. Coin Shortage: What Consumers Need to Know
What is the coin shortage and why is it happening? June 2020 marked the onset of yet another COVID-19-induced shortage: a deficit of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in the cash registers of American businesses was imminent.1 On June 11, the Federal Reserve announced a temporary cap on distribution of coins to banks.2 By July,…
