http://ag.ca.gov/ Office of the Attorney General - State of California - Department of Justice - News Feed en-us Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:11:45 PST Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:11:45 PST webmaster@ag.ca.gov http://ag.ca.gov/images/rss_icons/AGlogo_rss.gif http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2625 LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced an historic commitment to California of up to $18 billion that will benefit hundreds of thousands of homeowners in the state hardest hit by the mortgage crisis. "California families will finally see substantial relief after experiencing so much pain from the mortgage crisis," said Attorney General Harris. "Hundreds of thousands of homeowners will directly benefit from this California commitment." "This outcome is the result of an insistence that California receive a fair deal commensurate with the harm done here. Thu, 9 Feb 2012 6:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2625 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2623 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today applauded a decision by the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to affirm the reinstatement of the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. "Today's ruling is a victory for fairness, a victory for equality and a victory for justice," said Attorney General Harris. "Proposition 8 denied to gay and lesbian couples the equal protection to which all Americans are entitled. By striking this unconstitutional law from our books, the court has restored dignity, equality and respect to all Californians." The Ninth Circuit Court today upheld with Perry v. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2623 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2621 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris issued the following statement in honor of Black History Month: "This month, and throughout the year, we honor the contributions of African-American leaders to our great nation. From our schools and laboratories to our courtrooms and the Oval Office, African-Americans have overcome tremendous barriers to help America realize its promise of justice and opportunity for all. The proud and, at times, painful legacy of the African-American community is an essential part of our national story. Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2621 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2620 SACRAMENTO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the State Senate passed legislation to protect consumers from unfair debt collection practices. The Fair Debt Buyers Practices Act will require purchasers of consumer debt, or debt buyers, to provide documentary evidence to consumers in order to ensure that their collection efforts are directed at the proper individual. Debt buyers have flooded California's courts with lawsuits seeking judgments on debts without adequate documentation, often resulting in collections efforts against the wrong person. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2620 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2619 SACRAMENTO --- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has joined 11 other state attorneys general in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court urging the court in Magner v. Gallagher to rule that federal anti-discrimination law can be enforced in cases where a housing or mortgage policy appears neutral on its surface but has a discriminatory effect. "Segregation in housing and barriers to equal opportunity remain a great concern for communities throughout the country. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2619 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2618 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that Morgan Hicks was sentenced to 22 years in state prison for identity theft and breaking into more than 20 homes in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties, often using a shovel. Hicks pled guilty to 4 counts of residential burglary, 15 counts of receiving stolen property, 2 counts of identity theft and one count of grand theft auto on January 18th in the Monterey County Superior Court. He was sentenced on Friday. Using a shovel to pry open doors, Hicks broke into over 20 homes in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties between June and September 2007. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2618 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2617 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced a settlement with the manufacturer of Brazilian Blowout products that will require the company to warn consumers and hair stylists that two of its most popular hair smoothing products emit formaldehyde gas. The settlement requires GIB, LLC, which does business under the name Brazilian Blowout, to cease deceptive advertising that describes two of its popular products as formaldehyde-free and safe. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2617 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2616 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today led 10 states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court urging the high court not to invalidate the federal health care reform law in its entirety if that court decides the minimum coverage provision is unconstitutional. "States have begun to implement substantial portions of the Act, such as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage to children with preexisting conditions, allowing States to better regulate insurance rates, and helping States establish high risk pools for their citizens. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2616 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2615 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that the California Department of Justice has cleared a backlog that slowed the analysis of DNA crime scene evidence and will now be able to perform routine analysis within 30 days, down from an average of 90 to 120 days. "DNA testing is a powerful law enforcement resource - a smart on crime tool that we're using in cutting edge ways in California," Attorney General Harris said. "Public safety is too important not to embrace innovation and adopt technology where needed. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2615 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2614 SAN FRANCISCO --- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that she filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit seeking to require the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Regional Transportation Plan to take a harder look at the region's long-term transportation development options. The lawsuit contends that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the plan does not adequately address air pollution and climate concerns and prioritizes expanding freeways while delaying public transit projects. "The 3.2 million residents of the San Diego region already suffer from the seventh worst ozone pollution in the country," said Attorney General Harris. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2614 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2613 SAN FRANCISCO --- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that a lawsuit against a charity for allegedly misappropriating funds intended to benefit people affected by HIV/AIDS has been resolved with a settlement of $1 million and the naming of the Community Foundation for Monterey County as the successor trustee of those funds. In May 2010, the Attorney General's office filed a lawsuit to shut down the Monterey County AIDS Project after investigating allegations that former officers and directors of the charity had misappropriated money earmarked for HIV/AIDS patients from its coffers for their personal use and for-profit ventures. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2613 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2611 SACRAMENTO --- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of federal health care reform and urging the high court to uphold the landmark law. "Though state governments and private actors have taken important and innovative steps to expand access to health care and to restrain the growth of health care costs, no remedy can be fully effective without action on a national level. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2611 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2606 SAN FRANCISCO --- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today marked National Human Trafficking Awareness Day by issuing an alert with tips to help Californians identify and report human trafficking. Human trafficking is slavery, and unlike the slavery of the past, this modern form of slavery is a hidden crime. It is estimated to be a $9 billion worldwide industry, with more than 14,500 individuals trafficked each year into the United States. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2606 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2605 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, joined by 53 other attorneys general, signed a letter calling on the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and ensure the sustainability of vital programs designed to keep women and families safe from violence and abuse. "We've made tremendous strides in how we deal with violence against women - from prosecuting violent offenders to breaking the cycles of crime and supporting and empowering victims," said Attorney General Harris. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2605 http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2604 SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that her office secured more than $1 million from eight Northern and Southern California car washes that underpaid workers, denied rest and meal breaks, and created false records of time worked. "Workers at these car washes were taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers who illegally denied them the pay and benefits they earned," said Attorney General Harris. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=2604