#Attorney General Bob Ferguson

[destroyproject2025]

Meet the 2024 Pro-Democracy Candidates

[error-404-fuck-not-found]

Hey so remember how grocery prices suddenly jackknifed during lockdown and never went back down?

Well turns out the companies would have done that shit either way and had been steadily price-fixing for the last decade!

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson just announced more than $40 million in court-ordained Fuck You money from massive swaths of food production companies are to be paid out to households earning at or below 175% of the federal poverty level ($25.5k for 1 person, $34.5k for 2 people households) before Dec 31st of this year. Happy Holidays.

"The bottom line here is that my legal team took on two large corporate price-fixing conspiracies that increased the cost for groceries for Washington families. We've prevailed, and as a result, we are sending checks to over 400,000 Washington households."

Cannot stress enough the extent of the conspiracies he's talking about here. 15 out of the total 19 chicken producers got nailed in this lawsuit. Not the total number of conspirators, mind, just the ones who left enough evidence for the AG to kick their ass in so expedient a manner. Make no mistake, all 19 were in on it. The court case against the rest of them has been delayed until October of next year, though. None of them are making it out unscathed.

Tuna didn't escape antitrust horseshit either, because the CEOs of Starkist, Chicken of the Sea, and Bumblebee Tuna had a fucking group chat where they complained that the price of tuna was "too low" and they agreed to artificially inflate the price.

“What’s so maddening about the conduct of these companies is the reason that they engaged in this price-fixing conspiracy was greed. They wanted to make money."

So anyway the AG who nailed their asses to the wall and continues to do so is running for governor. If you live in Washington, could be worth your vote when primary season rolls around.

[kineticpenguin]

The number of Bob Fergusons running to be Washington’s next governor grew to three on Friday. A conservative Republican activist threw a monkey wrench into the race by recruiting two last-minute Democratic candidates who share the same name as the party’s presumed front-runner. The newcomers, one from Yakima and the other Graham, will now share the Aug. 6 primary ballot with Attorney General Bob Ferguson. In all, 30 candidates filed in the race.

This is probably going to work because there's something that makes Washington the state where fucking idiotic but wacky Republican hijinks are a viable tactic

[pnwnativeplants]

Corruption in PNW Conservation: Holly Farmer on Weed Control Board Prevents Board From Protecting Forests from Invasive Holly

Original article by Becky Chaney, WNPS Conservation Committee Chair (Full original article can be read here)

In November, the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (hereafter referred to as the Board) considered the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board proposal to list English holly (Ilex aquifolium) as a Class C noxious weed, as requested by Thomas and Tricia Morrel, owners of a designated Stewardship Forest in Whatcom County. The effects of holly on western Washington public and private lands, documented by numerous studies and mapping from multiple agencies and scientists, was presented to the Board during the November 1 public hearing. The information included statements regarding the negative impacts of holly, including its detrimental crowding out of under-story vegetation and the increased forest fire risk resulting from this relatively recent addition of a non-native ladder fuel. The information presented was quantitative and backed by scientific research from numerous studies. Eleven speakers, included botanists and land managers from a wide variety of agencies and environmental groups, spoke in favor of the state listing. Two speakers, owner of Holly Hill Orchards and his son, spoke in opposition. Expressing concern that the listing would destroy their family business, a holly farm purchased in 2011. They are convinced the habitat risks are over-stated and find the dollars spent on control ($90,000 from 2007-2009 at just a SINGLE Seattle site) inconceivable.

The Board considered the potential impacts to the holly farms and the floral industry. To ensure no harm to these small family businesses, a concurrent addition, developed with input from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, was proposed and approved before taking a vote on listing holly. A new definition—feral—was added to Washington’s noxious weed laws. The definition reads: “Feral means where a plant species has escaped a managed landscape or is growing without human management or design. ‘Feral’ does not include any plants grown for agricultural or commercial purposes” (WAC 16-750-003). The proposed Class C listing of feral holly only applies to escaped holly—holly existing outside of gardens and cultivated lands such as holly farms. It would allow wildland managers to fund control of invasive holly where it is negatively impacting forestland and for educational programs addressing why and where feral holly is a problem. Nothing in the listing would restrict farming holly, or selling it, either live or cut, within or outside of the state. A class C listing as feral holly would not require its removal from ornamental gardens or farms, or restrict its commercial uses. This consideration wasn’t enough to ease the concerns of the Washington holly growers. The holly farmers argued that the image of holly would be tarnished, and that holly farming would no longer be economically feasible. No economic data was provided to back up their claim. Board Education Specialist Anne Schuster did provide information noting that Pacific Northwest holly growers supply 90% of English holly sold in the United States, export it to countries such as Japan, and that it has grown here for over 90 years.

Sadly (from my perspective), the listing of English holly as a Washington State class C noxious weed received only a 3-3 vote from the Board members present; passage of the listing needed a majority. There are nine voting positions on the Board, but the Northeast Tier is currently vacant. Two members, Randy Johnson and Brad White, did not attend the meeting, so only six members voted. The listing was supported by board members William (Bill) Agosta, Janet Spingath, and Allen Evanston. In opposition were members Jerry Hendrickson, Carey Caruso, and Ken Bajema. Bajema, in addition to being on the Board, is owner of Columbia Gorge Holly Farms, a multi-generational family farm growing holly since 1959. He is a long- term, vocal opponent of listing holly as a state noxious weed. Again, from my perspective, I can’t help wondering how conflict of interest (a thorny issue) may have affected the vote. At least one respondent to a 2022 survey provided to the Board ahead of the hearing expressed concern that the Board had a conflict-of-interest problem. As far as I know, this was not publicly addressed by the Board or staff ahead of the vote. After the vote, the question over conflict of interest was raised during public comment. The Chair responded “Obviously, there is a conflict of interest if you are talking about...a member of the Board being a holly grower, but there’s no law against that...he is a member of the Board and he is a holly grower and that’s perfectly legitimate. Yes, that creates at least one person with a conflict of interest but I’m afraid... there’s no law against that. We have no rules about recusal and so there’s no basis for requiring a person with a conflict of interest to recuse himself in this circumstance.” Staff indicated that it was important to have Board members who feel the impacts of these decisions and expressed the opinion that it is “rightfully so that Ken has a vote.” I agree that the boards are supposed to include representation from various affected interest groups and are mandated to consider and mitigate impacts on business. However, I believe elevating special interests above the Board’s legal mission is wrong. A Capital Press article written in 2010, then updated in 2018, states that “Dee and Ken Bajema scoff at claims that English holly is invasive.” It states that the Bajemas (say) it’s difficult to remain positive about the fate of the requested “noxious” listing. Ken Bajema says nothing to correct this public record. He does not acknowledge that holly is invasive, is environmentally detrimental, or that it is a multi-county problem. Survey comments verify that holly is a concern in at least ten Washington counties. More than half of the survey respondents who note that holly impacts their county also stated that holly’s unlisted status (negatively) impacts their ability to control it.

[marykk1990]

I'm still hoping I wake up to a blue shift, fingers crossed, but at least I can go to bed knowing that the Washington State governorship was won by Democrat Bob Ferguson.

[world-news-guru-us]

Fox News projects Democrat AG Bob Ferguson to win Washington governor's race

The Fox News Decision Desk projects Democratic state Attorney General Bob Ferguson will win Washington state’s gubernatorial race, an open race with the retirement of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who decided not to seek a fourth term. The state’s top lawyer since 2013, Ferguson ran on a platform of continuity and reform, and has positioned himself as a defender of progressive values in a state…

[npi]

LIVE from Seattle: Results roll in for electoral contests in the Pacific Northwest

Good evening from the Washington State Convention Center’s Arch Complex, where the Washington State Democratic Party is holding a big election night watch party with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Senator Maria Cantwell, and a long list of other candidates, as well as the NO campaigns that are working to defeat Brian Heywood and Jim Walsh’s destructive slate of statewide initiatives. Beginning a…

[jlc3991]

Dave Ramsey Faces $150 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Timeshare Exit Company Fraud

Lawsuit Claims Personal Finance Guru Promoted Deceptive Timeshare Exit Company on His Show

Popular Christian radio host and personal finance expert, Dave Ramsey, finds himself at the center of a $150 million lawsuit. The legal action, filed by disgruntled listeners of his show, alleges that they were defrauded by a timeshare exit company that advertised on his program. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, accuses Ramsey of receiving over $30 million in payments from the company, known as Timeshare Exit Team, between 2015 and 2021.

The plaintiffs claim that the company promised to help customers terminate their timeshare contracts but instead employed deceptive tactics and failed to deliver on its promises.

Allegations of Deceptive Practices and False Advertising

The lawsuit alleges that Reed Hein & Associates, formerly known as Timeshare Exit Team, charged customers between $4,000 and $72,000 for services that were ultimately illusory. According to the complaint, customers paid a total of $70 million in fees in the hope of being released from their timeshare contracts. However, the plaintiffs claim that the company used false statements and delay tactics to prevent customers from realizing they were being defrauded.

The complaint also accuses Dave Ramsey of promoting deceptive, false, and incomplete information in violation of consumer protection laws. It further alleges that Ramsey personally earned $450,000 a month from the deal.

Ramsey Solutions and Happy Hour Media Group Named as Defendants

The lawsuit targets not only Dave Ramsey but also his company, Ramsey Solutions, and his marketing company, Happy Hour Media Group. The plaintiffs argue that these entities should be held responsible for the alleged fraudulent promotion of Timeshare Exit Team. Despite requests for comment, neither Ramsey nor his company have responded to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.

Timeshare Exit Team's Troubles and Settlement

Timeshare Exit Team, the company at the center of the controversy, closed its operations in 2021 following a settlement with the Washington State Attorney General's office. The settlement required the company to pay $2.6 million due to its deceptive promises to customers. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson highlighted the company's use of misleading tactics and expressed his commitment to protecting consumers from such practices.

The $150 million lawsuit against Dave Ramsey and his affiliated companies shines a spotlight on the alleged fraudulent practices of a timeshare exit company that advertised on his show. The plaintiffs claim that they were deceived by false promises and delay tactics, resulting in significant financial losses. Ramsey Solutions and Happy Hour Media Group are also named as defendants in the lawsuit, accused of promoting deceptive information.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case raises important questions about the responsibility of media personalities and their obligation to vet and endorse the companies they promote. The outcome of this lawsuit will undoubtedly have implications for the personal finance industry and the trust placed in influential figures like Dave Ramsey.

[spokanefavs]

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is taking the Archdiocese of Seattle to court over records he said the church is refusing to give up in an investigation of its handling of child sex abuse allegations.

[racingtoaredlight]

Opening Bell: May 15th, 2024

Washington state's current Attorney General is a man named Bob Ferguson, and he's running for governor as a Democrat this year. However, in a move that I have to admit is pretty funny, a Conservative activist has convinced two additional men named Bob Ferguson to run in the state's upcoming Democratic gubernatorial primary.

UPDATE: In the time since I put this post in the hopper, the two shenanigan Bob Fergusons have withdrawn from the race.

Thailand takes the integrity of online restaurant reviews extremely seriously.

Sixty-six probation officers working for Los Angeles County have been placed on administrative leave over the past five months.

Elsewhere in California, a guy decked a sandwich artist at Subway because he felt he was owed 12 extra slices of ham, despite only paying enough for 6.

Finally, beloved actor Steve Buscemi was punched in the face while out for a stroll in Manhattan. No word yet as to whether or not the incident was precipitated by any kind of ham-related misunderstanding. My educated guess is that it was.

[cavenewstimes]

Catholic church is stonewalling sex abuse investigation, Washington attorney general says

SEATTLE (AP) — The Catholic church is refusing to cooperate with a Washington state investigation into whether it unlawfully used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thursday, asking a court to force the Seattle Archdiocese to turn over decades of records. The archdiocese called the allegations a surprise, saying in a statement that it…