Following the two week campaign for donations, Berman DeValerio has been named the winner of the fourth annual Legal Food Frenzy Cup, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. In total, the annual competition raised the equivalent of more than 479,000 pounds of food, breaking last year’s record, which will provide more than 282,779 meals to people in need.
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office today awarded $500,000 in grants to help provide access to quality mental health services to Massachusetts veterans and their families.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. has agreed to pay $75 million to consumers nationwide to settle allegations of price-fixing and collusion in the electronic book (e-book) market, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Massachusetts consumers are expected to receive more than $2 million in restitution from the settlement agreement which requires court approval.
Massachusetts homeowners have received more than $637 million in total consumer relief during the first full year since the National Mortgage Settlement, according to numbers provided by the five major banks. The self-reported data includes raw numbers about completed relief and ongoing trial loan modifications that have not yet been audited by the National Monitor for compliance with the court ordered settlement.
A company that provides ATMs to numerous convenience stores, restaurants and other retail businesses in Massachusetts has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle allegations that it failed to post fee disclosure notices on certain machines, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Citing the huge impact of energy policy in creating a competitive business climate, Attorney General Martha Coakley kicked off the 2013 Energy Summit by stressing the importance of addressing historically high energy costs in Massachusetts while maintaining the state’s leadership in the development of clean technologies.
The former manager of the Milford Water Company (MWC) has been found guilty and sentenced for tampering with drinking water samples during a boil-water order and for making false statement about the samples, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
In a continuing effort to promote economic and technological development in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley has appointed Timothy Langella, an attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience in national and international business disputes as Division Chief of her Business, Technology and Economic Development Division (BTED).
A Medford woman and a Woburn man have been arraigned in connection with running an extensive criminal enterprise involving human trafficking, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Authorities allege that the extensive operation spanned multiple communities including Bedford, Billerica, Medford, Reading, Wilmington, and Woburn.
A Medford woman and a Woburn man have been arrested in connection with running an extensive criminal enterprise involving human trafficking, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Authorities allege that the extensive operation spanned multiple communities including Bedford, Billerica, Medford, Reading, Wilmington, and Woburn.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today issued the following statement in response to a study from The Warren Group reporting a significant decline in Massachusetts foreclosures during the month of March, and crediting the state’s new loan modification law as one of the major reasons for that reduction:
A generic drug manufacturer from India has agreed to pay more than $2.65 million to the state’s Medicaid program to resolve civil and criminal allegations that it knowingly manufactured and sold generic drugs that did not meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Medford woman has been indicted in connection with fraudulently collecting more than $161,000 in state and federal benefits, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. She allegedly fraudulently collected benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, MassHealth, and the Supplemental Security Income Disability program. Her husband was also indicted for his involvement with the scheme.
In an effort to help Massachusetts municipalities with high rates of distressed and vacant properties turn the corner on the foreclosure crisis, Attorney General Martha Coakley today opened the application period for a $1 million grant program designed to identify and return bank-owned properties to productive residential use.
A Bronx, NY, man, his mother, and his former co-worker have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced in connection with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Somerset man and his inspection company have been indicted for conducting improper safety and emission inspections of commercial vehicles, including school buses, tractor trailers and construction equipment, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. He then allegedly issued state inspection stickers on those untested vehicles.
A moving company from Billerica and its owners have agreed to pay up to $202,000 to settle allegations of inflating fees, demanding cash last minute, and holding consumers’ goods hostage in order to receive payment, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owners of an Internet café in Revere have been indicted, along with their corporation, on charges of operating an illegal slot parlor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The founder of a Cape Cod charity that was organized to provide financial assistance for families who had lost loved ones or were dealing with serious medical situations was sentenced to state prison for stealing tens of thousands of dollars for herself, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. In total, the defendant and her organization were found guilty on 52 counts last week, including fair labor violations and for operating an illegal lottery scheme.
Following several years of legal action against insurance companies that failed to cover required mental health services and other mandated benefits for consumers, Attorney General Martha Coakley is urging the industry to ensure compliance with state law.
A former employee of Hewlett-Packard (HP) has been indicted in connection with fraudulently obtaining computer parts and then reselling them for his own profit, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. He allegedly defrauded HP out of nearly $288,000.
The founder of a Cape Cod charity that was organized to provide financial assistance for families who had lost loved ones or were dealing with serious medical situations has been found guilty of stealing tens of thousands of dollars for herself, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. In total, the defendant and her organization were found guilty on 52 counts, including fair labor violations and for operating an illegal lottery scheme.
Two men have pleaded guilty to charges they fraudulently collected an insurance payment of more than $23,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts (IFB) following its investigation.
Attorney General Martha Coakley is pleased to announce new appointments to lead her Fair Labor Division, both of whom bring years of skill and experience in public service to their roles.
A Jamaica Plain man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with drug trafficking and possession of methamphetamine, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement praising President Obama for seeking to appoint Congressman Mel Watt as the new director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency:
“For too long, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been a roadblock to progress for millions of middle class families. Today, President Obama is seeking a much-needed new direction at Fannie and Freddie that will benefit our nation’s homeowners and speed our economic recovery. Congress should choose progress over obstruction and act immediately to approve the President’s nominee.”
An auto insurance company has agreed to pay more than $200,000 to settle allegations that it overcharged hundreds of consumers by failing to reduce premiums as drivers gained additional years of driving experience, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
With a focus on the impact of historically high energy costs on competitive business in Massachusetts, a one-day Energy Summit will be held next month bringing together stakeholders to discuss cost control, energy efficiency opportunities, and address policies and innovative solutions moving forward, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In an effort to raise awareness and fight hunger in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley announces the start of the 4thAnnual Legal Food Frenzy (LFF). Organized by the AG’s Office and numerous bar associations, the LFF is a benevolent competition within the legal community that benefits all four Massachusetts food banks. The competition is credited with providing more than 801,000 meals to those struggling with hunger in the Commonwealth.
Two motor vehicle emissions inspectors have agreed to pay up to $116,000 to settle allegations of issuing up to 67 fraudulent passing inspection stickers to cars with failed emissions control systems at a service station in Wrentham, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Thousands of Massachusetts residents at risk of foreclosure are receiving notices in the mail alerting them to their eligibility to request a loan modification, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Homeowners with questions can seek immediate assistance through the AG’s HomeCorps program, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary today.
Employers and consumers are increasingly enrolling in health insurance products that offer tiered or limited networks, showing that consumers are making decisions that engage them in efforts to reduce their health care costs, according to a report issued today by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today issued the following statement in response to State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s Medicaid Drug Screening audit, a report that supports the Commonwealth’s continued fight against fraud in the health care system.
Attorney General Martha Coakley today released the following statement in response to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) recent decision to delay the rule change to allow passengers to carry small pocket knives and other previously prohibited items onboard airplanes:
A chemist at the Massachusetts State Crime Laboratory in Amherst has been arraigned in connection with allegedly stealing controlled substances seized as evidence from the lab, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. She was also arraigned in connection with possession of cocaine.
In response to the Boston Marathon attack, Attorney General Martha Coakley and the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) are providing information about the resources, services and financial support available to victims of the marathon bombing.
After the attack on spectators and runners during the Boston Marathon, Attorney General Martha Coakley is encouraging people to give wisely to charities by gathering information about an organization before making contributions.
Statement of Attorney General Martha Coakley:
"This is an unconscionable tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to all victims and their families. Thank you to all first responders for their brave efforts to help the injured and secure the area. All local, state and federal law enforcement partners stand in solidarity in our resolve to find those responsible for this horrific attack and bring them to justice."
The former executive director of a veteran’s outreach center has been arraigned in connection with stealing more than $35,000 from the organization itself and from federal funds distributed through the City of Springfield as a community development grant, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In an effort to increase the rehabilitation of distressed and abandoned properties in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley today opened the application period for a $5 million grant program. Utilizing funds recovered through the nationwide state-federal settlement over unlawful foreclosures, the Abandoned Housing Initiative Receivership Fund (AHI Fund) will assist local communities in mitigating the impacts of the foreclosure crisis.
Former Laundromat Owner Indicted on Charges of Tampering with Gas Meters, Stealing more than $214,000 from Gas Companies
Aiming to increase awareness of the deceptive marketing practices that some for-profit schools use to aggressively pursue prospective students, Attorney General Martha Coakley has launched a consumer protection campaign that includes free educational trainings across the state and a new website offering resources for consumers related to for-profit schools.
A Southborough man has been indicted for allegedly possessing and disseminating child pornography, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A former employee of the Department of Correction has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to breaking and entering and larceny charges in connection with more than $8,000 he stole from vending machines in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. He is also a former employee of a vending machine company.
Attorney General Martha Coakley led a bipartisan group of 35 Attorneys General in sending a letter today to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Eric Holder and congressional leaders expressing the need for broad reform of the federal immigration system. The Attorneys General are urging reform that protects the country’s borders while providing a responsive and effective visa system to meet the demands of the nation’s growing economy.
A former employee of the New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) has pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with stealing $13,800 from the agency by submitting fraudulent expense reimbursements, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. The former employee also pleaded guilty in connection with making more than $30,000 in unauthorized credit card charges, stealing more than $50,000 from a longtime friend, and possessing cocaine.
A North Attleboro woman has been arraigned for fraudulently collecting several thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits and for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her employer, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Brockton man has pleaded guilty to charges he collected a combined total of more than $32,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The former director of a drug abuse clinic in Brighton has been arraigned in connection with illegally prescribing a drug used to treat opiate addiction and collecting illegal fees from patients, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The clinic’s former office manager was also arraigned today for conducting an elaborate Medicaid kickback scheme worth more than $590,000.
An Attleboro man has been indicted on charges he fraudulently collected more than $53,000 in workers’ compensation benefits while working, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Brockton-based for-profit school has been sued over allegations that it misrepresented job placement numbers and made other misleading statements about its training to students, leaving graduates with large amounts of debt and few opportunities, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Granby man has been arrested and arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court for allegedly possessing images of child pornography, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
The president of a private water testing company in Lee has been arraigned on additional charges in connection with falsifying drinking water reports, Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office announced today. A judge has also imposed strict conditions that prohibit him from being involved in the operation of the company in any way.
A Maryland based merchandising services company has agreed to pay the Commonwealth more than $117,000 to resolve allegations it failed to pay its full unemployment contributions into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A chemist at the Massachusetts State Crime Laboratory in Amherst has been indicted in connection with allegedly stealing controlled substances seized as evidence from the lab, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. She was also indicted in connection with possession of cocaine.
A Dorchester man and a Plymouth woman have been indicted in connection with running a human trafficking and prostitution operation in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Four auto insurance companies have settled allegations that they overcharged consumers relating to auto insurance surcharges that were overturned by the state’s Board of Appeal, or otherwise removed from state driving records, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“Mayor Menino has led Boston’s resurgence and will leave a lasting legacy as one of the greatest mayors in the city’s rich history. For twenty years, Mayor Menino has been a champion for the people he has met in the neighborhoods every day – especially those who otherwise would have no voice. He has been a leading advocate for affordable housing, public education, LGBT rights and the fight against gun violence. I am privileged to call him a friend. I know he’s going to keep working hard for the people of Boston for the rest of his term and beyond, and he has earned some much deserved time with his family and grandchildren.”
After witnessing arguments urging the U.S Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Attorney General Martha Coakley released the following statement:
The former executive director of a veteran’s outreach center has been indicted in connection with stealing more than $35,000 from the organization itself and from federal funds distributed through the City of Springfield as a community development grant, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Rockland woman has pleaded guilty to charges she fraudulently collected insurance payments of more than $27,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts (IFB) following its investigation.
A Dorchester man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to five years in state prison in connection with plotting to shoot a rival gang member and conspiring to traffic cocaine, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A North Andover man and top associate of alleged mob captain Mark Rossetti has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in state prison in connection with loan sharking and conspiracy to commit extortion, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON –As arguments against California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) proceed, Attorney General Martha Coakley released the following statement in advance of tomorrow’s hearing on DOMA:
“I believe in a country that allows all people to marry the person they love,” AG Coakley said. “As we’ve seen in Massachusetts, the institution of marriage has only been strengthened when we embraced marriage equality. I am hopeful that the Court’s decision will continue the great progress we’ve made toward fairness and equality, and our march on the right side of history.”
A Worcester housing complex and its property management company will pay $20,000 to resolve allegations of disability-based housing discrimination, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
As part of Women’s History Month, Attorney General Martha Coakley is highlighting the ways Massachusetts led the battle for gender equality throughout history.
A North Attleboro woman has been indicted for fraudulently collecting several thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits and for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her employer, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A West Bridgewater-based organization has agreed to make extensive policy changes related to its annual summer camp for teenage boys to address allegations of racially-motivated bullying by campers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The brother of the leader of an extensive criminal enterprise in Downtown Crossing was arrested late Tuesday night at Boston Logan Airport, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Calling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a “direct impediment to our economic recovery” by the continued refusal to give principal relief for struggling homeowners, Attorney General Martha Coakley and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman were joined by seven other attorneys general in a letter sent Friday calling for a new permanent leader to replace Edward DeMarco as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
Attorney General Martha Coakley announced her support of a bill that targets abusive spending of taxpayer dollars by for-profit colleges and heavily restricts institutions of higher learning from using federal financial aid for recruitment, advertising and marketing purposes.
BOSTON – The leader of an extensive criminal enterprise in Downtown Crossing has been arraigned in connection with identity theft and possession of counterfeit money, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The leader of a highly organized and violent criminal enterprise in Eastern Massachusetts has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 12 years in state prison in connection with loan sharking and extortion, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – An undercover sting operation has resulted in the arrest of a leader of an extensive criminal enterprise in Downtown Crossing, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The operation was a collaboration of the AG’s Office, the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and the United States Secret Service.
Five former personal care attendants (PCAs) and three PCA surrogates have been arraigned for allegedly defrauding the state’s Medicaid program of approximately $260,000 in total by falsely billing for services that were not provided in a number of separate schemes, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The cases include allegations of billing MassHealth for services while a PCA was incarcerated, and charging for the care of a deceased person, along with several other schemes.
A former Suffolk County corrections officer and another man, both from Athol, have been arraigned in connection with fraudulently collecting tens of thousands of dollars in workers’ compensation, disability, and retirement benefits while working, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Burlington area grocery store has agreed to pay more than $105,000 in restitution and penalties to resolve allegations it improperly deducted for meal breaks and unlawfully rounded working hours in its favor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
An insurance company has agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle allegations that it sold and marketed unauthorized health insurance products to Massachusetts consumers and failed to cover mandated benefits required by state law, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Towns are not permitted to enact a total ban on marijuana treatment centers, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office ruled today in a decision regarding a by-law passed by the Town of Wakefield. Towns, however, are able to adopt zoning by-laws to regulate such treatment centers and to enact temporary moratoriums on the development of the centers, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Martha Coakley today released the following statement in response to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) recent rule change to allow passengers to carry small pocket knives and other previously prohibited items onboard airplanes:
Internet giant Google Inc. has agreed to pay $7 million to settle claims of collecting data from unsecured wireless networks nationwide while taking photographs for its Street View service between 2008 and March 2010, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Massachusetts will receive more than $327,000 as part of the settlement.
A disbarred attorney has been sentenced to jail and ordered to pay restitution in connection with stealing a total of nearly $900,000 from an estate she represented, a beneficiary of that estate whose funds were in a trust she managed, and an elderly client, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Waltham man and his business have admitted to sufficient facts to charges they failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The case is the result of investigations referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA) in a collaborative effort to target employers that fail to pay their quarterly unemployment contributions.
In light of “Sunshine Week,” Attorney General Martha Coakley today provided an update on the work of her office’s Division of Open Government, which assumed responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the Open Meeting Law (“OML”) on July 1, 2010. The AG’s office has also created a series of checklists to assist public bodies in complying with the law and released an updated version of the Open Meeting Law Guide.
Generic versions of popular pain relievers must be made harder to abuse, Attorney General Martha Coakley and 47 other state and territorial attorneys general told federal officials in a letter sent today by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).
Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. and Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management, LLC (Oppenheimer) have agreed to pay $2.8 million, resolving allegations that Oppenheimer misled investors about the valuation policies and performance of a private equity fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The former director of a drug abuse clinic in Brighton has been indicted in connection with illegally prescribing a drug used to treat opiate addiction and collecting illegal fees from patients, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The clinic’s former office manager was also indicted for conducting an elaborate Medicaid kickback scheme worth more than $590,000.
Following separate actions brought by her office this week against two financial companies and a law partnership, Attorney General Martha Coakley is warning consumers about potential scams that attempt to take advantage of struggling homeowners.
A now-disbarred attorney has pleaded guilty in connection with stealing a total of nearly $900,000 dollars from an estate she represented, a beneficiary of that estate whose funds were in a trust she managed, and an elderly client, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
In an effort to better inform and protect consumers in today’s marketplace, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office is participating in the 15th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Staff members from the AG’s Office will be educating consumers on a number of financial literacy topics, with a focus on how they can best protect themselves and their wallets.
The former chief of staff of the Massachusetts State Lottery will pay $10,000 and serve a pre-trial probation period of 18 months to four years in connection with obstruction of justice charges, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office will hold four educational forums on the Open Meeting Law throughout the state during the months of March, April and May. On July 1, 2010, the Attorney General’s Office assumed responsibility for enforcement of the Open Meeting Law from the state’s District Attorneys, who previously enforced the law as it pertains to municipal and regional public bodies.
BOSTON – Former Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill will pay $100,000 and serve a pre-trial probation period of 18 months to four years after admitting to violating state ethics law, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON - Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement in response to the Department of Justice’s amicus brief filed today with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting equal marriage rights for same-sex couples:
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement applauding Congress for reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA):
A Boston area property owner has agreed to pay $75,000 and delead his rental units, resolving allegations that he engaged in a pattern of unlawful and retaliatory practices against tenants with young children in order to avoid his obligation to comply with state lead paint laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
An Ohio-based electric company has agreed to significantly reduce air pollution from its coal-fired power plants and pay $1 million in mitigation funds to Massachusetts as part of a proposed $8.5 million multi-state settlement, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Texas-based company will pay Massachusetts $996,000, as part of a $48 million settlement, to resolve allegations it charged MassHealth for an ineffective drug called Xenaderm, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former Suffolk County corrections officer and another man, both from Athol, have been indicted in connection with fraudulently collecting tens of thousands of dollars in workers’ compensation, disability, and retirement benefits while working, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of the Massachusetts human trafficking law going into effect:
A Nantucket business owner has pleaded guilty to charges he failed to accurately report his total payroll, number of employees, and misclassified his business to avoid paying thousands of dollars in insurance premiums, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Initiatives established as part of Attorney General Martha Coakley’s HomeCorps program have provided hundreds of struggling homeowners with a range of foreclosure-prevention efforts that include free legal services, financial counseling and eviction prevention across the state.
Five individuals have been charged in connection with collecting more than $55,000 in unemployment and workers’ compensation benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced. The cases are the result of investigations referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA) and the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts (IFB).
Attorney General Martha Coakley today joined Lowell Mayor Patrick Murphy, City Manager Bernard Lynch and local housing advocates for a roundtable discussion on foreclosure prevention efforts, including the AG’s first-in-the-nation HomeCorps program, which was established after the $25 billion national mortgage settlement was announced one year ago this week.
Five former personal care attendants (PCAs) and three PCA surrogates have been charged for allegedly defrauding the state’s Medicaid program of approximately $260,000 by falsely billing for services that were not provided in a number of different cases, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The cases include allegations of billing MassHealth for services while a PCA was incarcerated, and charging for the care of a deceased person, along with several other schemes.
Stating that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been an “obstacle to progress” for Massachusetts homeowners and our economic recovery, Attorney General Martha Coakley called today for a new, permanent director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to replace Acting Director Edward DeMarco. FHFA oversees government mortgage sponsored mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Thousands of Massachusetts homeowners on the brink of foreclosure have received assistance in the year since Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $25 billion national settlement with the five major lenders over their servicing and foreclosure practices. This success has been driven in large part by the AG’s first-in-the nation HomeCorps program which her office created and launched last April and has already directly assisted more than 4,600 borrowers in Massachusetts, more than a thousand of whom have now received permanent loan modifications.
Stressing the critical support for survivors of rape and domestic abuse that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides, Attorney General Martha Coakley urged Congress to reauthorize the bill in a letter sent to Capitol Hill today.
A Revere man associated with alleged mob captain Mark Rossetti has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to six to eight years in state prison in connection with heroin trafficking and other related drug charges, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A real estate developer has been sued for allegedly taking more than $200,000 in advance payments for new, single-family homes in Sharon that were never provided, and refusing to return the deposits, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Dorchester man has pleaded guilty to charges he fraudulently collected more than $28,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Lender Processing Services, Inc., (LPS) along with its subsidiaries, LPS Default Solutions and DocX, have agreed to pay a total of $120 million to settle allegations that the Jacksonville-based company “robo-signed” documents and engaged in other improper conduct related to mortgage loan default servicing, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The first set of reports by the Attorney General’s Office evaluating Steward Health Care System’s first year of operations has been released.
“Mo Cowan is an excellent choice to serve as Interim Senator. I’ve known Mo since he worked for me in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office on a rotation from his law firm. Mo is a person of great character and integrity, and he will represent Massachusetts well. I wish him nothing but the best in this important position for our Commonwealth and the country.”
The popular job search website Monster.com will be the first job search and recruitment website in the industry to provide job seekers who are blind with full and equal access to all of its products and services including mobile applications, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Monster Worldwide, Inc. and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) announced today.
Seeking to combat gang and gun violence, hold corporations responsible for actions that result in manslaughter, and ending fraud between drug testing labs and sober houses, Attorney General Martha Coakley today announced the filing of eight bills as a part of her 2013-2014 legislative priorities.
An investment broker has agreed to pay $250,000 to settle allegations that it engaged in an extensive pattern of bid-rigging with respect to presenting interest rates to municipal bond issuers in the state looking to reinvest bond proceeds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Colorado-based premium financing provider has agreed to pay $42,000 to resolve allegations that it illegally and prematurely cancelled certain financed auto insurance policies belonging to nearly 50 Massachusetts customers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley is pleased to announce several new appointments to lead divisions in the office, all of whom bring remarkable skill, management experience, and passion for public service to their new roles.
A Peabody man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to jail for possessing images of child pornography on his computer, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Seeking to combat street, gang and gun violence and modernize an outdated law to better address the public safety challenges of the 21st century, Attorney General Martha Coakley and a coalition of legislators, mayors, and law enforcement announced today legislation filed to update the state’s wire interception statute.
A former clerk for the Orleans Police Department has been arraigned in connection with stealing a combined total of approximately $92,000 from the local police relief fund and the Town of Orleans, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. She also formerly served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Orleans Police Relief Association.
A Holliston landscaping company will pay more than $169,000 in restitution and penalties to resolve allegations it failed to comply with the state’s overtime laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The director of a private water testing laboratory in Lee has been arraigned in connection with backdating drinking water sample analyses to cover-up misconduct and feign compliance with environmental laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office announced today.
The operators of two massage parlors, one in Wellesley and the other in Revere, have been indicted in connection with human trafficking and prostitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Stoughton-based company will pay up to $80,000 to settle allegations of failing to use structurally-sound containers for transporting petroleum-soaked solids to the Allston rail yard that leaked hazardous waste into the ground, and failing to properly transfer the containers to a rail transporter for out of state disposal, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A chemist at the Massachusetts State Crime Laboratory in Amherst has been arraigned in connection with allegedly tampering with drug evidence and possessing drugs, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
NORTHAMPTON – A chemist at the Massachusetts State Crime Laboratory in Amherst has been arrested and charged with allegedly tampering with drug evidence and possessing drugs, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The operators of a videography business called SureShot have been prohibited by a judge from accepting new business of any kind in Massachusetts, following allegations of failing to deliver prepaid wedding videos to dozens of newlyweds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A North Andover commercial wholesale bakery will pay more than $586,000 in restitution and penalties to settle claims that it failed to pay overtime to employees and violated anti-retaliation laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Lynn woman has been arraigned in connection with stealing more than $490,000 from MassHealth by fraudulently obtaining transportation reimbursements for family members, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The director of a private water testing laboratory in Lee has been indicted in connection with backdating drinking water sample analyses to cover-up misconduct and feign compliance with environmental laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office announced today.
The owner of an apartment building in Cambridge has agreed to pay $25,000 to settle allegations that a former trustee and property manager discriminated against a family with a young child to avoid an obligation to remove lead paint hazards and later retaliated against the family for filing a discrimination complaint, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In response to Governor Patrick’s gun safety legislation filed today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
More than $2.8 million in insurance refunds have gone back to Massachusetts motorcycle owners, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Since 2010, 17 insurance companies have settled with the AG’s Office resulting in more than $42.8 million in refunds to Massachusetts motorcycle owners.
Metropolitan Property & Casualty Insurance Company (Met P&C) has settled allegations that it failed to refund surcharge premiums to automobile insurance policyholders after those surcharges were eliminated by the Commonwealth’s Board of Appeal, or otherwise removed from consumers’ driving records, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The agreement will mandate an audit to determine the amount of restitution owed to consumers and will block these alleged overcharges from happening in the future.
Honeywell International, Inc. and Honeywell Building Solutions SES Corporation (Honeywell) have agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations that a Honeywell contract with the City of Quincy failed to comply with the statue governing energy savings contracts by including revenues derived from water meters, and failed to comply with other statutory and contractual obligations, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. As part of the agreement, Honeywell and the City of Quincy will terminate a multi-year maintenance contract.
Attorney General Martha Coakley today reminded qualified borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure that Friday, Jan. 18 is the deadline for filing claims for a one-time payment under the $25 billion national mortgage foreclosure settlement.
A Springfield man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to at least four years in prison for sending threatening letters containing white powder while incarcerated to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and a Massachusetts Superior Court Judge, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Dudley man and Holden doctor have been sentenced on charges they schemed to commit insurance fraud and submitted false health care claims while operating a medical facility, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day:
A Lynn woman has been indicted for stealing more than $490,000 from MassHealth by fraudulently obtaining transportation reimbursements for family members, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Her longtime partner was also indicted in connection with the scheme.
The operators of a videography business, known as SureShot, have been sued for allegedly failing to deliver wedding videos to dozens of newlyweds after receiving advance payments collectively worth more than $75,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In light of the recent closure of American Career Institute (ACI) facilities in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley is urging students who were affected to take appropriate steps to protect their assets and ongoing education.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement on the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit which upheld a lower court ruling affirming the constitutionality of the state’s buffer zone law as it applies to entrances to Planned Parenthood facilities in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.
BOSTON – The Mayor of Lawrence has been sued for failing to file a 2011 campaign finance report, required by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF), that discloses his political contributions and spending, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The lawsuit also requests that the court order him to pay a civil late-filing penalty.
Patrick Hanley, an Assistant Attorney General with a strong investigative and prosecutorial record, has been appointed Chief of the new Gaming Enforcement Division, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Hanley most recently served as senior counsel in the AG’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division.
Former owners of a Marblehead-based medical billing practice and four pathology groups have agreed to collectively pay $140,000, settling allegations that sensitive medical records and confidential billing information for tens of thousands of Massachusetts patients were improperly disposed of at a public dump, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – With hundreds of Massachusetts workers still unpaid after more than nine weeks, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office has fined National Grid $270,000 for various violations of the state’s wage and hour laws.
Recoveries by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division totaled more than $85.6 million during 2012, breaking the previous recovery record set in 2010 by more than $19 million, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement today in response to the decision by Congress to extend tax relief for consumers who have mortgage debt canceled or forgiven because of financial hardship or a decline in housing values:
“We applaud Congress for extending this tax relief which is absolutely critical to help struggling homeowners stay in their homes,” AG Coakley said. “We will continue our efforts to assist homeowners in obtaining a loan modification or other relief as we work to reduce the number of foreclosures, stabilize the housing market, and rebuild our economy.”
In 2012, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office successfully advocated to prevent two unprecedented rate increases sought by the insurance industry and saved Massachusetts homeowners and employers more than $187 million.
BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today issued the following statement regarding the decision by National Grid, NSTAR and the Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) to appeal the fines that were issued against them by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for their failed responses to the October 2011 snowstorm and Tropical Storm Irene.
Chevron USA, Inc. and Texaco Downstream Properties, Inc. will pay $1.7 million to resolve allegations they received reimbursement payments from a state fund for gas station cleanup projects even though Chevron and Texaco sought and received payments from their insurers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. These false claims allegedly involved service stations across the Commonwealth.
A New Hampshire man and Randolph woman have pleaded guilty to charges they fraudulently collected a combined total of more than $61,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The cases are the result of investigations referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).
A former clerk for the Orleans Police Department has been indicted in connection with stealing a combined total of approximately $92,000 from the local police relief fund and the Town of Orleans, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. She also formerly served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Orleans Police Relief Association.
A New Bedford physician has been indicted on charges he allegedly illegally prescribed drugs to 15 of his patients and defrauded the state’s Medicaid program, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Two women have been charged in connection with separate schemes to steal a total of more than $30,000 from a Springfield public school, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A federal appeals court today once again upheld EPA standards that regulate greenhouse gas emissions when it rejected a request to revisit this summer’s ruling, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Resolving allegations that it illegally marketed multiple prescription drugs and manipulated prices resulting in inflated payments by the state’s Medicaid program, Amgen will pay $690,000 in restitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Lowell area hospital will pay more than $283,000 in restitution and penalties to resolve allegations it failed to comply with the state’s meal break laws and made alterations to working hours, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Sandisfield nurse has been indicted in connection with stealing more than $25,000 from MassHealth after she allegedly fraudulently billed for the nursing care of children when she was actually at horse racing competitions, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Dorchester man has been arrested in connection with running a human trafficking and prostitution operation in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Georgetown man has been sentenced to four to nine years in state prison after pleading guilty to a 21-count indictment for possessing and distributing child pornography on his computer, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former chemist at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute was indicted today on 27 charges in connection with altering drug evidence during the testing process and obstructing justice, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Massachusetts electric generating company, along with its contractors and engineers, have agreed to pay a total of $3.25 million to settle allegations that they allegedly overfilled an ash landfill and three wastewater treatment basins in Agawam and West Springfield for extra profit, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
After closely monitoring the pay issues encountered by National Grid that has left nearly 2,000 Massachusetts workers unpaid, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office sent a letter today calling for the energy company to rectify all wage issues no later than December 21 or face penalties.
BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley today issued the following statement regarding the announced departure of Administrator Jane Lubchenco from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Continuing to provide locally-based assistance to communities impacted by the foreclosure crisis, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that a new HomeCorps satellite office has opened in Lowell, offering loan modification advocacy for struggling homeowners.
A Hanover construction company has agreed to pay $100,000 for allegedly submitting false invoices for road sand to a number of Massachusetts municipalities, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Jamaica Plain man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to one year in state prison for possessing child pornography and distributing the material over a file sharing network on the Internet, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) decision to issue record fines against National Grid, NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) for their failed storm response to the October 2011 snowstorm and Tropical Storm Irene.
Massachusetts charities that hire professional solicitors received an average of 49 percent of the proceeds collected during charitable campaigns in 2011, according to a report released today by Attorney General Martha Coakley. Professional solicitors are paid by organizations to solicit donations from the public and are required by statute to register with the AG’s Office.
“We believe that the First Circuit’s ruling striking down the Defense of Marriage Act was correct and we look forward to the time when that discriminatory law is conclusively invalidated. Though the Supreme Court has chosen to take up the issue of DOMA’s constitutionality in another case – Windsor v. United States – my office will continue to work hard to support the parties involved. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will decide, once and for all, that DOMA’s discrimination is unjustifiable and wrong. ”
A property owner from Newton has agreed to pay $15,000 and make extensive policy changes at his businesses, settling allegations that a manager at one of his apartment complexes discriminated against a disabled tenant with an assistance dog, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Revere man has been arraigned for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Somerville man and Everett woman have been sentenced in connection with a scheme to assist a prison inmate with fraudulently collecting nearly $50,000 in unemployment benefits, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. This case is the result of an investigation referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).
A Framingham man has been sued and ordered to stop any contracting services without a license after allegedly engaging in home improvement projects without proper registration, failing to complete the work, and misappropriating tens of thousands of dollars from a consumer, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Hopedale cement finishing company and its owner have agreed to pay more than $161,000 in fines and restitution for violations of the state’s prevailing wage laws and the independent contractor law, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Fall River man and his company have pleaded guilty in connection with failing to pay more than $333,000 into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The case is the result of an investigation referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA) in a collaborative effort to target employers that fail to pay their quarterly unemployment contributions.
Massachusetts motorcycle owners will receive more than $2.8 million in insurance refunds as a result of settlements with two insurance companies that allegedly overcharged thousands of policyholders, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Revere woman associated with alleged mob captain Mark Rossetti has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to three years in state prison in connection with drug charges, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Newton man was ordered to pay $700,000 and received a suspended sentence of two and a half years in the House of Correction for paying kickbacks to employees at a regional transit authority in order to divert transportation services paid for by the state’s Medicaid program to five of his companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A demolition company from Swampscott has been ordered to pay the Commonwealth $100,000 in civil penalties for the alleged improper removal and disposal of asbestos-containing waste at locations throughout eastern Massachusetts, including the Hook Lobster Company building on the Boston waterfront, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owner of an auto repair business in East Boston has been ordered to clean up petroleum contamination and solid waste impacting vital state-owned wetlands adjacent to his property and pay more than $170,000 to the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Woburn business owner has pleaded guilty in connection with failing to accurately report his total payroll or number of employees to his insurance provider to avoid paying the proper insurance premium, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former personal care assistant pleaded guilty and was sentenced for defrauding MassHealth of more than $33,600 for services she did not provide, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In a letter to Congress on Tuesday, Attorney General Martha Coakley expressed her strong support of legislation that will prevent nuclear facilities from filing applications for license renewal more than 10 years prior to the expiration of current licenses.
A Chinatown travel agency owner has been arraigned in connection with stealing more than $89,000 from multiple clients in schemes involving U.S. citizenship applications and airline tickets, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
NORTHAMPTON – A Northampton car dealership is being sued after its owner and manager allegedly failed to provide car titles to customers and did not pay off outstanding loans on trade-in vehicles, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley urged Congress today to extend tax relief for consumers who have mortgage debt canceled or forgiven because of financial hardship or a decline in housing values.
BOSTON – The Commonwealth has filed a lawsuit against a contractor from Hanover, alleging that he violated a prior court order by soliciting and entering into a home improvement contract with elderly consumers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Principal reductions and loan modifications for Massachusetts homeowners have jumped up significantly according to the second report on the national mortgage settlement, rising more than six times compared to the first report. The latest report shows that Massachusetts homeowners have received more than $266 million in total relief through the end of September according to numbers provided by the five major banks.
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office has joined 37 other states in a $90 million settlement with GlaxoSmithKline LLC, 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 $2.1 million to the Commonwealth.
Applying the same advocacy and oversight principles used in gas and electricity rate cases, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office has intervened for the first time in a water rate case as allowed by a new law passed this year.
Six individuals were indicted today in connection with an alleged conspiracy to corrupt witnesses, suborn and commit perjury, and obstruct justice in order to obtain the acquittals of two defendants at a March 2012 criminal trial in Suffolk Superior Court, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A West Springfield restaurant management company has been fined for violating Massachusetts child labor laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Responding to a pattern of consumer complaints about a moving company that allegedly inflated fees, demanded cash, and held goods hostage in order to receive payment, Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed suit against Father and Son Moving and Storage and obtained a preliminary injunction order in Suffolk Superior Court.
In two staffing changes at the Attorney General’s Office, Jennifer Stark has been appointed as Business and Labor Bureau Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff Britte McBride will oversee the Policy and Government Division, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
An Amesbury landscaping business has been arraigned in in connection with failing to pay a total of more than $445,000 into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Chinatown travel agency owner has been indicted in connection with stealing more than $89,000 from multiple clients in schemes involving U.S. citizenship applications and airline tickets, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Revere man has been arrested and arraigned in Chelsea District Court for allegedly possessing child pornography, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley joined Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and a coalition of other Attorneys General representing 46 states and territories in urging Congress to adequately fund programs to combat human trafficking. A lettersent today by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), encourages Congress to pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act by the end of the year.
A transportation company will pay $7.3 million to settle allegations that it backed out of a contract with the MBTA to run “The Ride,” Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The Ride is a paratransit service that provides door-to-door transportation to individuals who are unable to use the general public transportation systems because of disabilities.
Any penalties issued against National Grid, NStar, or the Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) for their failed responses to last year’s storms should be returned to directly to ratepayers, Attorney General Martha Coakley argued today.
A Worcester area property owner has pleaded guilty and been sentenced for fraudulently claiming that one of his properties had been de-leaded and endangering the children who lived in the property, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Weymouth man has been found guilty and sentenced to jail in connection with possessing and distributing child pornography over the Internet, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A pharmaceutical manufacturer has agreed to pay more than $730,000 to the Massachusetts Medicaid Program (MassHealth) as part of a 50-state settlement resolving allegations of improper off-label marketing of four of its drugs, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“One year after a major October storm hit our region leaving thousands without power for days, we face the potential for another damaging storm with widespread impact. Our investigations identified many problems with last year’s storm response, including major communications failures with customers and municipalities. As a result, our office has recommended that the Department of Public Utilities impose record fines. We expect the utilities to have fixed these problems as ratepayers deserve a better response this time. If similar problems do occur in this or future storms, we are prepared to investigate and ask for further accountability.”
The manager of a Waltham convenience store has been arraigned in connection with the fraudulent use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known commonly as “food stamps,” Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Four individuals have been arraigned in connection with collecting a combined total of more than $78,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Seeking to educate physicians about the importance of protecting consumer health information and the critical issues of data security, Attorney General Martha Coakley is partnering with industry groups to bring awareness to the legal requirements, enforcement efforts and best practices that can be used in light of recent data breaches.
An Acushnet man has been sued for allegedly failing to properly remove shingles containing asbestos from three New Bedford homes that he was renovating, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Holyoke man has been indicted in connection with the racial harassment of his tenant in violation of a civil rights injunction obtained by the Attorney General’s Office in 2009, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Three defendants have pleaded guilty to their involvement in an extensive Medicaid kickback scheme using "straw companies" and overcharging the state's Medicaid program for urine drug screens, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The operators of two massage parlors, one in Wellesley and the other in Revere, have been arraigned in connection with human trafficking and prostitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former Tewksbury attorney has been arraigned in connection with stealing more than $400,000 from multiple clients, one of whom is disabled, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The defendant allegedly stole money which had been entrusted to him by clients seeking help to pay off mortgages or as part of the probate of an estate.
Theowners of two massage parlors, one in Wellesley and the other in Revere, have been arrested in connection with human trafficking and prostitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The former controller of River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC) has been arraigned in connection with stealing more than $80,000 from the non-profit organization, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. She was also arraigned on charges in connection with altering the corporate books in an attempt to hide the theft.
A total of $4 million in HomeCorps grants have been awarded to 18 organizations across the Commonwealth to help address the foreclosure crisis, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The grant funding will assist homeowners and renters impacted by the foreclosure crisis, revitalize distressed and blighted neighborhoods, and guard against future financial harm. The funding is the result of a nationwide settlement involving the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers and their connection with unlawful foreclosures and loan servicing.
A Thailand-based seafood company has agreed to pay $10,000 resolving allegations that its use of unlicensed software provided an unfair competitive advantage over Massachusetts businesses, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Texas based waste disposal company has been cited more than $376,000 in restitution and penalties for violating the Commonwealth’s prevailing wage laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In recognition of her work on behalf of victims in the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley has been honored with the 2012 “Timothy White Take a Stand Award”, presented by RESPOND, Inc., a Somerville domestic violence agency.
An employee of the Department of Correction has been indicted on breaking and entering and larceny charges in connection with more than $8,000 he allegedly stole from vending machines in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. He is a former employee of a vending machine company.
Recognized as women who have made meaningful and inspiring contributions in the fields of social justice and advocacy, Maura Healey, Chief of Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau, and Hélène Kazanjian, Chief of the AG’s Trial Division, were honored today at Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Top Women of Law Event.
TD Bank has informed the Attorney General’s Office that it lost unencrypted back-up tapes containing personal information, including account information and Social Security numbers, for more than 73,000 Massachusetts customers. According to TD Bank, notices are being sent to more than 267,000 potentially affected consumers nationwide beginning this week after two data tapes were lost in March.
The manager of a Waltham convenience store has been indicted in connection with the fraudulent use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known commonly as “food stamps,” Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Emphasizing direct, community-based assistance to communities heavily impacted by the foreclosure crisis, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that a new HomeCorps satellite office has opened in Brockton, offering loan modification advocacy for struggling homeowners.
Attorney General Martha Coakley today joined 40 attorneys general to urge Congress to oppose a bill preempting states’ authority to crackdown on predatory high cost, short-term lending practices.
A Blackstone man has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in connection with stealing dozens of identities, which were used to pass forged doctors’ prescriptions at pharmacies and receive prescription drugs, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
After allegedly overcharging the Commonwealth and a number of cities and towns for prescription drugs through the workers’ compensation insurance system, StoneRiver Pharmacy Solutions, Inc. (StoneRiver) has agreed to pay approximately $1 million in restitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Ruby Tuesday will pay $158,000 to resolve allegations it failed to comply with the state’s child labor and meal break laws at multiple locations throughout Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former Tewksbury attorney has been indicted in connection with stealing more than $400,000 from multiple clients, one of whom is disabled, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The defendant allegedly stole money which had been entrusted to him by clients seeking help to pay off mortgages or as part of the probate of an estate.
A Southborough man has been arrested and arraigned in Westborough District Court for allegedly possessing images of child pornography, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A settlement has been reached and indictments returned against two businesses and their principals in connection with failing to pay a total of more than $553,000 into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Those businesses include International Protective Services of Danvers and Green Company Landscape & Irrigation Inc. of Amesbury.
A former chemist at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute was arrested and arraigned today on charges that she obstructed justice by lying about the integrity of evidence as well as about her educational qualifications, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A former chemist at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute has been arrested on charges she obstructed justice by lying about the integrity of evidence as well as about her educational qualifications, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Claim forms are being sent to Massachusetts residents who lost their homes to foreclosure and who may be eligible for payment under the $25 billion national mortgage settlement, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“Today marks a significant day in the fight against human trafficking. We applaud President Obama for highlighting the egregious crime of human trafficking, and for recognizing it as a major problem that affects not only the international community but also our own communities.”
The President, referring to human trafficking as a ‘debasement of our common humanity,’ announced several initiatives to address the issue, including strengthening the U.S. Government’s zero-tolerance policy on human trafficking in government contracting; providing training to prosecutors, law enforcement, judges, workforce agencies and other professionals in order to help them better detect human trafficking; and increasing services and legal assistance for survivors of human trafficking.
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Five individuals have been charged in connection with collecting a combined total of more than $107,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – An auto insurance company will pay close to $345,000 in restitution to consumers and $50,000 to the Commonwealth as the result of an investigation alleging that policyholders with clean driving records were subject to improper “non-renewal,” Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Plain was arraigned today in connection with the alleged assault of a 70-year-old disabled resident at the facility, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Rockland woman has been indicted in connection with a scheme to fraudulently collect insurance payments of more than $28,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Olga O’Connor Rich, 41, is charged with Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud (46 counts), Larceny Over $250 (4 counts) and Attempted Larceny (3 counts).
An associate of alleged mob captain Mark Rossetti has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to five years in state prison in connection with a drug robbery, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A local ambulance company has agreed to pay $350,000 in civil penalties and costs, settling allegations that it sought payments from the Commonwealth for services that were not staffed by properly-certified emergency medical technicians, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Liam Lowney, a career victim service provider and advocate for victim rights, has been appointed Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA). Lowney previously served as the Chief of Victim Witness Services at Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office.
BOSTON — Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office is opposing a proposed $29.2 million rate increase by Columbia Gas after an investigation revealed that the company is seeking to pass millions in unnecessary costs, including more than $100,000 in corporate jet travel, on to Massachusetts ratepayers.
An advisor and political supporter of Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette was sentenced today to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine in connection with falsifying signatures for a petition to extend the mayoral term from two to four years, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced.
As part of a continued focus on combating housing discrimination in the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that more than 125 housing discrimination matters handled by the AG’s Civil Rights Division since 2007 have resulted in more than $2.5 million in relief for Massachusetts residents. AG Coakley made the announcement during remarks at a luncheon today hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Suffolk University School of Law to celebrate the law school’s opening of a housing discrimination clinic and to discuss fair housing issues in the Commonwealth.
BOSTON – The former executive director of the Medford Housing Authority has been fined and barred from public employment in connection with his failure to follow proper state procurement practices, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Citing the need for strict, substantive oil spill prevention measures for Buzzards Bay,Attorney General Martha Coakley has submitted comments to the United States Coast Guard which detail serious deficiencies in its recent Draft Environmental Assessment of the potential risks of another oil spill.
A motor vehicle emissions inspector who issued dozens of fraudulent inspection stickers while working in Haverhill has had his license revoked and is barred from collecting income from his inspection station for one year, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Dedham construction company and its owner have pleaded guilty and were sentenced on charges they failed to pay the prevailing wage, misclassified workers as independent contractors, and failed to submit true and accurate payroll records, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Settlements have been reached with a temporary staffing firm and its client company to resolve allegations they failed to properly pay more than 1,200 workers at a Woburn facility, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The companies will together pay more than $649,000 in restitution as well as civil penalties to the Commonwealth.
Two individuals and their corporation have pleaded guilty to gaming charges in connection with operations out of “Leo’s Place” Internet cafés in Fall River and Fairhaven, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A prison inmate and two others have been charged in an alleged scheme to fraudulently collect nearly $50,000 in unemployment benefits during his incarceration, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. This case is the result of an investigation referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).
A Westborough trash hauling company has been cited for more than $200,000 in restitution and penalties for failing to properly calculate the prevailing wage rate, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – John Verner, a former assistant district attorney with extensive investigative and prosecution experience, has been appointed Chief of the Criminal Bureau, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Verner most recently served as Chief of the Public Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Corruption and Technology Unit (PACT) at the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.
The Town of Falmouth will pay $60,000 in civil penalties, and has taken steps to improve their water systems, settling claims that it inadequately responded to a public water emergency in June 2010 when elevated levels of coliform bacteria contaminated the town’s drinking water and E. coli fecal bacteria was detected in some water samples, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – An industry-planned rate hike for workers’ compensation that could have cost Massachusetts businesses $175 million was blocked today following opposition by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office.
In an effort to better inform consumers of possible scams, Attorney General Martha Coakley is alerting seniors to be wary of the “grandparent scam” in which imposters prey upon the elderly by posing as relatives in trouble, tricking them into sending money.
Three of the largest book publishers in the country have agreed to pay more than $69 million to consumers who were overcharged for electronic books (e-books), resolving allegations that they conspired to fix their prices, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Massachusetts consumers are expected to receive more than $2 million in restitution from the settlement agreement that requires court approval.
BOSTON — Massachusetts’ borrowers have already been provided $103 million in total relief under the national mortgage settlement according to the first report by the settlement’s monitor, a number higher than any other New England state. A total of 1,374 homeowners were reportedly provided relief for an average of $75,057 per homeowner. The banks also reported more than $10.5 billion in consumer relief nationwide between March and June of this year. The full report can be found here as well as at the Office of Mortgage Settlement Oversight.
The former owner of a Tewksbury health care agency has pleaded guilty to charges she failed to pay more than $474,000 to her employees and has been ordered to pay the money to those employees as part of restitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – On Monday, Attorney General Martha Coakley met with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti and other officials to tour an abandoned property in Brockton and address the steps being taken to combat the severe foreclosure crisis in the community and other municipalities across the Commonwealth.
A court ordered a veterans charity and its professional fundraisers to stop a number of alleged deceptive practices in their efforts to raise money, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
As part of a settlement with Sand Canyon (formerly Option One), a subsidiary of H&R Block, Inc., the Commonwealth has distributed payments totaling $1.75 million to minority borrowers affected by the company’s discriminatory lending practices, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be required to offer commercially reasonable loan modifications under Massachusetts’ recently passed loan modification statute, Attorney General Martha Coakley stated today in a letter sent to the government sponsored mortgage giants. In the letter, Coakley also continued to urge FHFA to reconsider its position and engage in principal reduction for struggling borrowers.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced the finalization of two new regulations under the Open Meeting Law. One clarifies the regulation that allows adopting authorities to set consistent restrictions, reflecting their unique priorities and concerns, on the use of remote participation by members of public bodies. The other regulation provides additional guidance on the types of conduct that may be considered evidence of an intentional violation of the Open Meeting Law.
The owner of the Pocasset Mobile Home Park in Bourne has been ordered to pay a $250,000 civil penalty and transfer more than $2.7 million to fund the construction of a new sewage collection system and wastewater treatment facility after failing to upgrade the deteriorating septic system, according to Attorney General Martha Coakley.
A Franklin man has pleaded guilty to defrauding the state’s Medicaid program of more than $10,000 by claiming that he provided personal care attendant services to a chronically ill woman for three weeks after she passed away, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
More than $19 million HomeCorps grant initiatives has been awarded to organizations and municipalities across the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The grant funding will assist communities and homeowners mitigate the impact of the foreclosure crisis and revitalize distressed neighborhoods. The funding is the result of a nationwide settlement involving the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers and their connection with unlawful foreclosures and loan servicing.
Responding to complaints received about scams selling travel packages and time share memberships, Attorney General Martha Coakley cautioned consumers to be wary of disreputable companies using illegal marketing and pressure sales techniques.
A veterans charity and its professional fundraisers have been sued for using deceptive fundraising tactics in violation of state charitable solicitation and consumer protection laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – A Winthrop man was arrested and arraigned in connection with an alleged conspiracy to obtain his own and another individual’s acquittal at a March 2012 trial in Suffolk Superior Court, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON — Supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) new and more stringent efficiency standard for residential gas furnaces that could save Massachusetts ratepayers more than $100 million, Attorney General Martha Coakley submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday. The new standard was passed in 2011 and raised the residential gas furnace efficiency requirement to 90 percent but was challenged by a trade association representing public gas companies. New requirements for other appliances were also passed in the same ruling.
In June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) approach to managing spent fuel waste did not meet federal environmental standards. After the NRC subsequently decided Tuesday to postpone the licensing of nuclear power plants until the agency further assesses the issue of long term storage for spent nuclear fuel, Attorney General Martha Coakley released this statement:
“This decision by the NRC reaffirms the concerns that our office has raised about the storage of spent fuel pools since 2006. We have said repeatedly that the risks regarding spent fuel were underestimated by the NRC in its relicensing of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth in June. We continue to appeal that decision through the courts.
BOSTON – A settlement has been reached with Salem Public Schools (SPS) to resolve allegations of public construction bid violations, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – After an investigation by her office determined that utility giant NSTAR failed to adequately prepare, respond, and communicate during Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office is seeking a $9.7 million fine against the company.
BOSTON – Polaris Project named Massachusetts the most improved state in their annual ratings on state human trafficking laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Six Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) provided more than $143 million in community benefits for Massachusetts residents in Fiscal Year 2011 according to reports published today by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office.
After Governor Deval Patrick signed the bill An Act Relative to Emergency Response of Public Utility Companies into law, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
A Boston-based real estate management company, its property manager, and an Arlington property owner have been sued for violating the state’s anti-discrimination law for allegedly refusing to rent to a recipient of a federal housing subsidy, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement commending the Massachusetts Legislature for supporting a resolution that calls on Congress to pass a federal Constitutional Amendment to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
“The passage of this resolution sends a clear message to Congress that corporate spending should not be considered free speech. This action by the Legislature gives voice to individual voters who have been drowned out by corporations allowed to spend billions to influence elections. We will continue to urge Congress to reverse this decision.”
The following is a statement from Attorney General Martha Coakley regarding today’s signing of An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity in the Commonwealth by Governor Deval Patrick:
“This law’s critical updates will allow the Commonwealth to maintain the benefits of the Green Communities Act while providing for increased competition, accountability, and transparency for ratepayers. Our office advocated for many reforms to benefit ratepayers including the reduction of sweetheart incentives for utilities and ensuring a competitive bidding process for renewable energy projects. We want to thank Governor Patrick as well as Senate President Murray, Speaker DeLeo, and Chairmen Downing and Keenan for their leadership on this issue.”
BOSTON - Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office will hold four educational forums on the Open Meeting Law throughout the state during the months of September and October. On July 1, 2010, the Attorney General’s Office assumed responsibility for enforcement of the Open Meeting Law from the state’s District Attorneys, who previously enforced the law as it pertains to municipal and regional public bodies.
In response to the decision by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to refuse to implement principal forgiveness for borrowers at risk of foreclosure, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
“I applaud the legislature, particularly the leadership of Chairmen Walsh and Moore, as well as Senate President Murray and Speaker DeLeo, for this landmark health care bill. I also thank Governor Patrick for his leadership on this issue.
Responding to the House and Senate passage of the bill, An Act Relative to Emergency Response of Public Utility Companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
“The passage of this storm response bill by the House and Senate is a major victory for utility consumers in Massachusetts. This bill will ensure that direct rate relief is provided to customers who have been harmed by inadequate emergency storm response and greatly assist our efforts to protect ratepayers by holding utilities accountable for safety and reliability at reasonable costs. I applaud the Legislature for passing this important bill and greatly appreciate the work of the Energy Committee to draft this legislation under the leadership of Chairmen Downing and Keenan.”
In January, AG Coakley sent a letter to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy urging that the bill include language that would direct all penalties paid by utilities back to impacted customers through rate credits.
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Responding to the House and Senate passage of the bill, An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity in the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
“Today’s comprehensive energy bill implements a number of important updates that will allow Massachusetts to maintain the benefits of the Green Communities Act while providing for increased competition, accountability, and transparency for ratepayers. Our office advocated for a number of reforms to benefit ratepayers, including the reduction of sweetheart incentives for utilities and ensuring a competitive bidding process for renewable energy projects going forward. This bill also provides our office with new oversight over private water companies. We want to thank Senate President Murray, Speaker DeLeo, and Chairmen Downing and Keenan for their leadership on this issue.”
BOSTON – The owners of two Watertown apartments have settled allegations that they discriminated against families with children in order to avoid their obligation to remove lead paint hazards, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – The leader of a highly organized and violent criminal enterprisein Eastern Massachusetts and one of his associates have been sentenced to state prison in connection with ordering a breaking and entering into a Roslindale home to steal heroin and money, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – After an investigation by her office determined that utility giant National Grid failed to adequately prepare, respond, and communicate during Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office is seeking a $16 million fine against the company – the largest penalty ever recommended against a utility in Massachusetts.
An Osterville company will pay up to $150,000 to settle allegations that it failed to complete the assessment and cleanup of a contaminated property in Osterville, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Following an extensive investigation into the procurement practices of the Nantucket Memorial Airport Commission (Airport Commission), the Attorney General’s Office has issued a report detailing numerous deficiencies in the commission’s construction bidding practices, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – A Woburn business owner has been arraigned on charges he failed to accurately report his total payroll or number of employees to his insurance provider to avoid paying the proper insurance premium, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – After allegedly facilitating illegal gambling at locations throughout Massachusetts, two so-called Internet cafés have agreed to pay a total of $750,000 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“The Defense of Marriage Act is a discriminatory and unconstitutional law that harms thousands of families in Massachusetts and takes away our state’s right to extend marriage equality to all couples. It is our firm conviction that in order to truly achieve marriage equality all couples must enjoy the same rights and protections under both state and federal law. If the Supreme Court chooses to examine this case, we will look forward to once again making clear that DOMA and its pervasive discrimination is unconstitutional and should be ended.”
SALEM — The owners of a Lynnfield asbestos removal company have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with the improper removal and disposal of asbestos for work performed on numerous public and private buildings in the communities of Lynn, Beverly, and Marblehead, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former personal care assistant has been arraigned for allegedly defrauding MassHealth of more than $32,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The leader of a highly organized and violent criminal enterprise in Eastern Massachusetts and one of his associates have been found guilty in connection with ordering a breaking and entering into a Roslindale home to steal heroin and money, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Five individuals were arraigned today in connection with an alleged conspiracy to corrupt a witness, suborn and commit perjury, and obstruct justice in order to obtain the acquittal of two defendants at a March 2012 trial in Suffolk Superior Court.
A Woburn general contractor will pay more than $31,000 to workers formerly employed by a subcontractor who were paid less than the state’s minimum wage, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
FALL RIVER — Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley and Fall River Mayor William Flanagan met with local officials and toured a property in Fall River that was rehabilitated under the Attorney General’s Abandoned Housing Initiative. The two-family property previously posed a significant threat to public health and safety.
After the Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) failed to adequately communicate with residents and municipal officials or secure proper staffing levels during the October 2011 snow storm that caused massive power outages for thousands of Massachusetts residents, Attorney General Martha Coakley has recommended to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) that the company be penalized $4 million.
BOSTON – A Brockton man and a Randolph woman have been arraigned in connection with collecting a combined total of more than $53,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – In light of the recent massive power outages that left thousands without electricity across the state, Attorney General Martha Coakley has begun a review of standards used to measure the overall service quality of utility companies to determine if they are adequate or effective.
AG Coakley Statement on New Legislation Closing Drunk Driving Loophole:
"This law is an important public safety measure. Drunk drivers are a danger to the public, and this new law closes a loophole by ensuring that repeat drunk drivers are taken off the roads for appropriate periods of time. I applaud Senator Katherine Clark and House Judiciary Chairman Eugene O'Flaherty for their leadership in sponsoring this legislation, and thank Governor Patrick and the Legislature for ensuring that it was passed into law."
BOSTON — Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. (Suffolk) and Emerson College will each pay $250,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the Commonwealth’s air pollution prevention statute and asbestos regulations that occurred during the 2007-08 renovation of Emerson’s Colonial Building, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Multiple landlords have settled allegations that they refused to rent to families with children in order to avoid obligations to remove lead paint hazards, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today
BOSTON – After allegedly overcharging public agencies for prescription drugs through the workers’ compensation insurance system, Walmart and Target Corporation have agreed to pay $232,000 to cities and towns across the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. To date, the AG’s Office has recovered more than $8 million for the Commonwealth through similar investigations of pharmacy chains and lower-volume alternative retailers of pharmaceuticals.
QUINCY – A Quincy store owner has been indicted in connection with the fraudulent use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known commonly as “food stamps,” Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
BOSTON – After allegedly marketing its cancer and surgical insurance through a variety of improper tactics to more than 1,000 Massachusetts veterans, including specifically targeting World War II veterans, Life Insurance of North America (LINA)will pay more than $1.7 million to consumers and the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Major pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline will pay more than $35 million to the Massachusetts Medicaid Program as part of the nation’s largest ever healthcare fraud settlement, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
DEDHAM – Two men have been indicted in connection with a scheme to fraudulently collect an insurance payment of more than $23,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
WOBURN – A Weston couple has pleaded guilty and have been sentenced in connection with fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in Section 8 public housing subsidies and defrauding mortgage lenders, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – On Sunday, An Act Relative to Gender Identity, also known as the Transgender Equal Rights Bill, goes into effect. The bill was signed into law by Governor Patrick on November 23, 2011 and adds gender identity as a protected category to existing Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws covering employment, housing, public education, and credit and lending. The new law also adds gender identity as a protected category under the state hate crimes law.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley commended the Legislature for strengthening drunk driving laws by closing a dangerous loophole that allowed for less serious license revocation penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders. The loophole was revealed in the recent Supreme Judicial Court decision of Souza v. Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The Legislature closed this loophole in Outside Sections 98-100 in the FY’13 Budget that was released by the Conference Committee yesterday and is scheduled to be voted on by the House and Senate today. If approved, it will go to the Governor’s desk for final passage.
Four community health centers have been awarded a total of $600,000 to support Community Health Workers (“CHWs”) effort to reach underserved populations throughout Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The funding will help specific efforts to address asthma, diabetes, and cancer, as well as helping to reduce emergency room visits.
BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA):
“We applaud the Court’s decision today. Massachusetts served as a model for national health care reform and we have already experienced the many benefits of increasing access to quality, affordable health care. Today’s decision is a victory for millions of Americans who will see increased access to care, coverage that cannot be denied based on pre-existing medical conditions, and the ability to keep their children covered until they turn 26.
“Massachusetts has already begun tackling the next great health care challenge – controlling costs for our families and businesses. With today’s decision, I hope our nation will continue to move forward and do the same.”
After allegedly failing to cover certain medical services as required by state law and deceptively marketing its coverage to Massachusetts college students, Aetna Life Insurance Company (Aetna Life) will pay more than $1 million in civil penalties and restitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – The owner and operator of GIBill.com has agreed to turn over the student recruiting site’s operations to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and pay $2.5 million to settle national consumer protection claims, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – A federal appeals court today upheld EPA standards that regulate greenhouse gas emissions, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The AG’s office strongly defended the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) determination that motor vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases contribute to climate change that endangers public health and welfare and led a coalition of states and environmental organizations in arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in February 2012.
BOSTON – The owner of a Chicopee Internet café being sued by the Attorney General’s Office for allegedly offering illegal casino-style computer games called “Wheel Deal,” “Lucky’s Loot,” and “Snake Eyes” has been ordered to preserve all assets and documents, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“The voices of individual voters will continue to be drowned out if corporations are allowed to spend billions in unreported and unaccounted funds to influence elections. This decision is further proof that we cannot rely on the courts to reverse this unrestricted flow of money and that the only solution is to pass a constitutional amendment to make clear that corporate spending is not considered free speech.” - Attorney General Martha Coakley
In recognition of his strong leadership and continued work to control tobacco in the Commonwealth, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Berge was awarded the 2012 Laurie Loveland Award, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former bathroom remodeling salesman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in state prison in connection with defrauding multiple homeowners of thousands of dollars, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Almost $1.5 million has been awarded to local consumer and mediation programs through grants provided by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office. Funding was made available through the Local Consumer Aid Fund Grants (LCAF) for new or existing grantees throughout the Commonwealth.
A Newton man pleaded guilty today to charges of paying kickbacks to employees at a regional transit authority in order to divert transportation services paid by the state’s Medicaid program to one of his companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former Greenfield attorney has been convicted in connection with stealing more than $186,000 from an elderly couple he represented in a personal injury settlement case, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Saying that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) acted “arbitrarily” and “abused its discretion” when it relicensed the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth for 20 years, Attorney General Martha Coakley appealed the decision today.
A Beverly man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to a year and a half in jail for his role in selling and distributing millions of dollars worth of illegal MBTA monthly passes directly to riders, Attorney General Martha Coakley and the MBTA announced today.
Under a settlement filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must finalize new soot air pollution standards by December 14, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In recognition of her efforts to combat human trafficking and her advocacy on behalf of exploited girls in the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley has been honored with the 2012 Beacon of Light Award.
A former employee of an MBTA subcontractor and two others have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with their roles in selling and distributing millions of dollars worth of illegal MBTA monthly passes directly to riders, Attorney General Martha Coakley and the MBTA announced today.
Massachusetts hospitals provided over $622 million in community benefits for residents of Massachusetts in Fiscal Year 2011 according to reports published today by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office.
“It is highly discouraging to learn that the Romney administration appears to have blocked publication of a state anti-bullying guide due to references to transgender and bisexual students. Through our bullying prevention commission, formed following passage of the new anti-bullying statute, we learned that LGBT students are some of the most frequently targeted students of bullying and harassment. We also heard testimony from numerous LGBT students who have been harassed and bullied due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. For the Romney administration to block a discussion on the impact of bullying on LGBT students was to fail to protect some of our most vulnerable children.
A New Bedford liquor store and its owner have agreed to settle allegations they violated the State’s minimum wage, overtime, and anti-retaliation laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Five individuals have been charged in connection with collecting a combined total of more than $117,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The cases are the result of investigations referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).
A Revere physician who improperly charged a $185 administrative fee in addition to MassHealth reimbursements for opioid addiction treatment will pay more than $53,000 in restitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In a settlement resolving allegations that it strong-armed residents into paying $16,000 for memberships of questionable value, Peters Pond RV Resort in Sandwich will refund residents, pay an additional $200,000 in civil penalties and costs, and refrain from future unfair and deceptive practices, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“The federal district court in New York has now joined a series of court rulings, including those in Massachusetts, that have found DOMA to be unconstitutional and a violation of basic principles of equality and fair treatment under the law. We are pleased that the court referred to our own case in its decision and we will continue to work to see the very real and very unjust effects of this law undone.”
In recognition of her office’s exceptional efforts to combat fraud and recover money for taxpayers, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Medicaid Fraud Division has been awarded the 2011 State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Award by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In Fiscal Year 2011, AG Coakley’s office recovered a record $69 million in Medicaid fraud.
“Today’s landmark ruling makes clear once again that DOMA is a discriminatory law for which there is no justification. It is unconstitutional for the federal government to create a system of first- and second-class marriages, and it does harm to families in Massachusetts every day. All Massachusetts couples should be afforded the same rights and protections under the law, and we hope that this decision will be the final step toward ensuring that equality for all.”
At a Boston City Council hearing today, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley expressed her concerns regarding the recruiting tactics of for-profit colleges, which frequently target veterans and young people.
In a letter to Congress sent today, Attorney General Martha Coakley and 21 attorneys general urged congressional leaders to close a loophole in the Higher Education Act that harms American veterans and their families. The letter encourages Congress to subject the GI Bill and Veterans’ Assistance educational programs to the 90/10 rule that prohibits for-profit colleges from deriving more than 90 percent of their revenue from the Department of Education (Title IV) funding sources.
Four individuals, including a husband and wife, have been indicted in connection with allegedly running a human trafficking operation in and around the Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. These indictments are a result of the first arrests made by AG Coakley’s Office under the new human trafficking law in Massachusetts, which went into effect on February 19, 2012.
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office issued an emergency regulation that clarifies the Opening Meeting Law regulations that explain how adopting authorities can restrict the use of remote participation by members of public bodies.
A Chelsea man has been convicted and sentenced to 15 years in state prison for cocaine trafficking in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Responding to an increase in the number of calls from veterans having problems with their mortgages, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today an initiative designed to help military families prevent foreclosure through the Attorney General’s HomeCorps program.
“This law is a vital update to our current laws and will help combat the trafficking of this highly addictive and dangerous drug that is becoming increasingly more prevalent in our communities. We applaud the Senate for establishing the trafficking of methamphetamines as a crime, which we believe will help keep traffickers off the streets and deter others from participating in this criminal activity. We look forward to working with Chairmen Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton) and Eugene O’Flaherty (D-Chelsea) on the passage of a similar bill in the House.”
Responding to a Supreme Judicial Court decision issued last Thursday, Attorney General Martha Coakley and House Judiciary Chairman Eugene L. O’Flaherty (D-Charlestown) announced today that they filed a bill last night to close a dangerous loophole in an effort to toughen the laws against repeat drunk drivers.
A Salem man has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in connection with collecting more than $45,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
South Shore Hospital has agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to protect the personal and confidential health information of more than 800,000 consumers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The investigation and settlement resulted from a data breach reported to the AG’s Office in July 2010 that included individual’s names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and medical diagnoses.
An auto repair business is being sued for allegedly failing to clean up underground gasoline contamination and not removing construction and demolition debris that was illegally dumped in the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Two Verizon subsidiaries have agreed to pay the Commonwealth more than $317,000 to resolve allegations they failed to pay their full unemployment contributions into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Resolving allegations that it unlawfully removed naturally occurring cobble on Nantasket Beach, the Town of Hull has agreed to a settlement that will protect this natural resource in the future, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Responding to a Supreme Judicial Court decision issued on Thursday, Attorney General Martha Coakley, State Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose), and House Judiciary Chairman Eugene L. O’Flaherty (D-Charlestown) announced today that that they are taking action to close an important loophole in an effort to toughen the laws against repeat drunk drivers.
The owner of two companies who allegedly engaged in a scheme to sell essentially worthless vacation club memberships was found in contempt of court and ordered to pay $310,000 in civil penalties, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Settling allegations that it made unsubstantiated health-related claims in the marketing of its line of rocker-bottom shoe products, Skechers USA, Inc., entered into a consent judgment today with Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General from 44 other states. Skechers will pay $40 million for consumer refunds and an additional $5 million to the states, with Massachusetts receiving $106,000.
A former Associate Vice President for Beverly Hospital pleaded guilty and was sentenced in connection with using contractors involved in the hospital’s renovation to pay his personal bills and to perform repairs at his home, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. He was also pleaded guilty in connection with stealing several valuable antique items from the hospital.
A Weymouth driving school has had its financial assets frozen and is facing civil penalties and approximately $100,000 in restitution after it allegedly abandoned its students by abruptly closing, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley has appointed a new Chief to lead her office’s Civil Rights Division. Jonathan Miller, who has served as Assistant Attorney General since joining the AG’s office in 2008, has been appointed Chief of the Civil Rights Division.
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office is proposing a regulation that, if adopted, would amend the definition of “Intentional Violation” under 940 CMR 29.02 of the Open Meeting Law. The amendment would clarify the standard for a finding by the AG of an intentional violation of the Open Meeting Law. The proposed regulation was filed Friday afternoon and will be published in the State Register on May 25, 2012.
A Boston man pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to jail on charges his organization violated Massachusetts child labor laws by hiring children to solicit funds unattended, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Alleging that two of the nation’s largest book publishers and Apple Inc. colluded to raise the prices of electronic books and undermine free market competition, Attorney General Martha Coakley joined 33 Attorneys General today seeking to file a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York claiming violations of state law and the federal Sherman Antitrust Act.
Having successfully argued that a proposed home insurance rate increase for more than 150,000 Massachusetts families was excessive, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that the Division of Insurance (DOI) rejected the FAIR Plan’s rate request in a decision issued today.
A family of car dealerships with locations in Hanover and Raynham has agreed to pay $225,000 in restitution, civil penalties and attorney fees to resolve allegations that it used deceptive marketing tactics, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Six additional individuals have now been arrested or arraigned in connection with the fraudulent use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known commonly as “food stamps,” Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
After continually failing to restore damaged wetlands on his property as ordered by the court in February 2010, a Lexington man was held in contempt and sent to jail before finally agreeing to allow the work to proceed, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
An asbestos removal company, and its president, will pay $150,000 in civil penalties for improperly removing asbestos during the renovation of a Gardner senior center in June 2009, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A bill to prevent unnecessary foreclosures by requiring loan modifications when it is in the financial interest of the borrower and the lender was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Financial Services today.
A North Grafton property owner has been arraigned in connection with paying two of her tenants to improperly remove asbestos from her Springfield rental property, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The property owner allegedly failed to warn the tenants of the dangers associated with asbestos and did not ensure that they had proper protective equipment or training of removal procedures.
A Dartmouth woman has been arraigned in connection with stealing approximately $1.2 million from an elderly doctor who she was paid to care for, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley urged Congress to increase the cap on the Crime Victims Fund to at least $1 billion so that victims are able to better gain access to the services they need. In a letter to Congress, AG Coakley and Washington Attorney General Robert McKenna, also the President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), led the call for an increase in funding for victims. The letter was sent today by NAAG and signed by AG Coakley, AG McKenna, and 49 other state and territorial Attorneys General.
Resolving allegations of illegal off-label marketing of the drug Depakote, Abbott Laboratories reached two separate multi-state settlements with Massachusetts and other states worth nearly $900 million, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Under these settlements the Commonwealth will receive $19.8 million from Abbott.
Honored for her leadership and continued work to protect the civil rights of all citizens of the Commonwealth, Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau (PPAB) Chief Maura Healey will be presented tonight with the Kevin Larkin Memorial Award at the 27th Annual Dinner for the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association.
A Chicopee Internet café offering casino-style computer games called “Wheel Deal,” “Lucky’s Loot,” and “Snake Eyes” has been sued for running an illegal gambling operation in violation of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The complaint seeks to shut down the café and to recover penalties, fees, and unlawful profits from the defendants.
A Methuen contracting company has agreed to pay the Commonwealth more than $327,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to pay into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A settlement approved Tuesday by a federal court establishes $875,000 as the allowed claim of the Commonwealth to resolve allegations that the former General Motors plant in Framingham caused damage to natural resources, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In light of the second anniversary of the passage of anti-bullying legislation in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley, legislators, and other stakeholders are vowing to continue to support bullying prevention efforts and to advocate for ongoing efforts to address the challenges bullying presents. Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the passage of An Act Relative to Bullying in Public Schools, comprehensive anti-bullying legislation signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick on May 3, 2010.
In an effort to educate young adult drivers about the dangers of texting while driving, Attorney General Martha Coakley joined officials nationwide to commemorate the inaugural Stop the Texts Day, and the start of National Youth Traffic Safety Month.
In an effort to assist Massachusetts communities in mitigating the impact of the foreclosure crisis, promote home ownership and affordable housing, and revitalize distressed neighborhoods, the Attorney General’s Office has created two new HomeCorps Grants totaling approximately $10 million. This funding is the result of a nationwide settlement involving the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers and their connection with unlawful foreclosures and loan servicing.
Three Brockton residents have been arraigned in connection with making claims of payments for personal care services that were not actually provided, causing an estimated overpayment of about $107,000 in MassHealth funds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.