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.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley offered welcoming remarks to commence the 2012 National Cyber Crime Conference, the first multi-day conference of its kind aimed at training law enforcement about the latest tools available to seize digital evidence.
Yesterday, Attorney General Coakley and an interagency coalition of law enforcement officials, state and community representatives, advocates, and survivors appointed to the Human Trafficking Task Force convened for the second meeting of the task force since the new human trafficking law went into effect.
Allegations that former Plymouth County Commissioner Timothy McMullen participated in a bid-rigging scheme by providing inside information to the owner of a pest control company have been settled, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Following the two week campaign for donations, the Hampshire County Bar Association has been named the winner of the third annual Legal Food Frenzy Cup, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. In total, the annual competition raised the equivalent of 430,000 pounds of food, breaking last year’s record, which will provide more than 331,000 meals to people in need.
A Texas-based company will pay $200,000 in restitution, penalties and costs for the alleged unfair and deceptive sale of discount health plans, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The consent judgment orders restitution directed to consumers and preventive measures to ensure future compliance with the law.
A Falmouth-based fuel company and its manager pleaded guilty and were sentenced for failing to report an oil spill in Oak Bluffs in June 2009, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The former owners of Riverside Mitsubishi in Auburn were ordered by a judge to pay $100,000 in restitution and $200,000 in penalties, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Last November, the AG’s Office filed a contempt proceeding against Darryl and Brenda Rivernider, of Oxford, for allegedly selling cars in Massachusetts in violation of a court order and for allegedly failing to make the final $100,000 payment owed to the Commonwealth as required under a consent judgment in 2005.
Attorney General Martha Coakley today launched a groundbreaking new initiative to prevent unnecessary foreclosures by increasing the number of loan modification specialists available to help distressed borrowers and providing a wide range of grant opportunities aimed at easing the foreclosure crisis in Massachusetts. Joined by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino in front of a Dorchester home saved through a successful loan modification, AG Coakley unveiled details of her new HomeCorps program, funded by the Massachusetts’ share of a nationwide settlement involving the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers and their connection with unlawful foreclosures and loan servicing.
A Scituate man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with forging documents on letterhead from the Attorney General’s Office and a credit reporting agency to fraudulently obtain a car loan, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Winthrop man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to seven years in State Prison in connection with attempted extortion, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Two business owners have been arraigned in connection with failing to pay more than $443,000 into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, 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) in a collaborative effort to target employers that fail to pay their quarterly unemployment contributions.
A permanent injunction and civil penalty have been ordered against a Rutland company for permitting large amounts of sediment to discharge from its construction site into Moulton Pond and adjacent wetlands, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Moulton Pond, a tributary to the Quabbin Reservoir, and the wetlands are part of the primary public drinking water supply for metropolitan Boston.
The owner and program director of a Fall River based adult foster care business were arraigned Monday in Bristol Superior Court for allegedly paying, and offering to pay, illegal kickbacks in exchange for the referral of new clients enrolled in the Medicaid-funded program, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced.
A former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) instructor has pleaded guilty in connection with submitting training records that falsely showed dozens of emergency personnel attended courses they were required to complete in order to maintain their certification, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Los Angeles based movie director has pleaded guilty in connection with fraudulently submitting film tax credit applications claiming inflated expenses for two films made in Massachusetts that resulted in an overpayment of more than $4.7 million in taxpayer funds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Quincy store owner and 21 individuals have been charged 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.
Today,Attorney General Martha Coakley and Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein met with local officials and toured a property in New Bedford 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. Undersecretary Gornstein then announced funding to assist in the redevelopment of another abandoned multifamily property in the South Central neighborhood which will also be renovated in conjunction with the AG’s Initiative.
Alleging that millions of dollars was illegally obtained from a state fund for environmental cleanup projects at dozens of gasoline service stations throughout Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley today announced that it has filed a lawsuit against the Hess Corporation (Hess).
A North Grafton property owner has been indicted 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 Berlin man has pled guilty and been sentenced to one year in jail for possessing images of child pornography on his computer, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A serial con man has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to five years in State Prison in connection with stealing thousands of dollars and merchandise from a Massachusetts woman through an elaborate scam, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Three community health and education centers have been awarded a total of $100,000 to provide training to Community Health Workers (CHWs) around the state, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The training, funded by a recent consumer protection settlement, will support the Attorney General’s Community Health Worker Grant Program which is part of a series of health-related grant opportunities offered by the Attorney General’s Office aimed at improving health in communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Arguing that the failure to implement principal loan forgiveness in its loan modification programs harms struggling homeowners and investors, Attorney General Martha Coakley led a coalition of states in urging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reverse its position. AG Coakley made her case in a letter sent yesterday to Edward DeMarco, Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and was joined by 10 other states including California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.
In an effort to reach distressed borrowers and prevent unnecessary foreclosures, the Attorney General’s Office today opened the application period for two separate grant programs of approximately $3.5 million each. 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. The programs are designed to mitigate foreclosures and prevent homelessness through access to legal and nonprofit services for Massachusetts borrowers.
A new Assistant Attorney General has been appointed to pursue human trafficking cases as a part of the Human Trafficking Prosecution Strike Force, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Deborah Bercovitch, an attorney with extensive prosecution experience, most recently worked in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit as an Assistant District Attorney (ADA).
Sunoco, Inc. will pay $2.2 million to resolve allegations that it sought payment from a state fund for hazardous waste cleanup at the same time it sought reimbursement from its insurers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. These false claims allegedly involved service stations across the Commonwealth.
A Braintree woman has been ordered to stay away from a woman that she allegedly verbally assaulted and threatened based on her perceived national origin and religion, under an injunction obtained by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office. Norfolk Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Connors ordered the injunction this week, against Nichola Prince-Alves who is accused of a bias-motivated assault against a passenger on a Red Line MBTA train in January 2012.
A Worcester based real estate developer and contractor has been arrested and arraigned on larceny and securities fraud charges in connection with $195,000 he accepted from investors for the agreed upon purpose of developing commercial real estate in Leicester, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. He was also arraigned in connection with several tax charges.
Citing an expert report concluding the risks of severe accidents are greater at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant than previously determined, Attorney General Martha Coakley filed an appeal today challenging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) decision to proceed with hearings to grant a new 20-year license extension for the nuclear plant.
The former treasurer of the Lynn VFW has been arraigned in connection with stealing more than $300,000 from the non-profit organization, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Concerned about unlimited contributions by corporations for political advertising, Attorney General Martha Coakley has submitted a formal letter to Congress urging an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The letter sent Wednesday to Congressional leadership was signed by AG Coakley and 10 other state Attorneys General.
A Fall River based adult foster care business was indicted Friday for allegedly paying, and offering to pay, illegal kickbacks in exchange for the referral of new clients enrolled in the Medicaid-funded program, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced.
Former State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill has been indicted on public corruption charges for his alleged role in orchestrating an advertising campaign for the State Lottery, funded with taxpayer dollars, that was intended to assist his 2010 campaign for Governor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former Plainfield, Connecticut police officer has pled guilty and was sentenced in connection with possessing methamphetamine, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A settlement has been reached with a Middleborough property owner to ensure that oil and hazardous material released on site has been properly cleaned up and does not present a risk to human health and the environment, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The settlement is part of an ongoing effort by the Attorney General’s Office and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to force the cleanup of hazardous sites in accordance with the Commonwealth’s environmental laws.
As part of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s ongoing effort to ensure equality for married couples in Massachusetts, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, lawyers from her Office will present arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in the Commonwealth’s constitutional challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
A Dartmouth woman has been indicted 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.
A medical testing company will pay $20 million in restitution to resolve allegations of an elaborate kickback scheme that cost the Massachusetts Medicaid program (MassHealth) millions of dollars for unnecessary urine drug screens, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Stoughton woman was indicted today in connection with prostitution charges at three spas she owned and operated in Brockton, Norwood and Canton, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owner of “Cafeno’s” Internet café in Chicopee and the corporation have been indicted on additional charges in connection with operating an illegal slot parlor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The new indictments are related to allegations of falsifying state tax returns and illegal lottery advertising.
Attorney General Martha Coakley announced $600,000 in grant opportunities to fund Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of health care teams serving underserved communities at four local health centers.
Four companies have been ordered to pay the Commonwealth up to $80,000 in civil penalties for the improper removal and disposal of asbestos-containing pipe insulation and ceiling tiles at the former Lowell Sun newspaper building in Kearney Square, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Two businesses and their owners have been indicted in connection with failing to pay more than $443,000 into the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, 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) in a collaborative effort to target employers that fail to pay their quarterly unemployment contributions.
A bill that would combat the growing problem of trafficking of methamphetamine was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Four individuals, including a husband and wife, have been arraigned in connection with allegedly running a sophisticated human trafficking operation in and around the Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. Today’s arraignments came after the four individuals were arrested on Friday. These are 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.
An agreement has been reached with a healthcare services company and its affiliates to settle allegations that they failed to pay more than $800,000 in vacation wages to employees who separated or were terminated from employment, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The companies will also pay $100,000 in penalties to the Commonwealth and $100,000 to create a trust to fund education and enforcement initiatives on wage and hour laws.
Four individuals, including a husband and wife, have been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly running a sophisticated human trafficking operation in and around the Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. These arrests are the first made by her office under the new human trafficking law in Massachusetts, which went into effect on February 19, 2012.
Funding is now available for local consumer and mediation programs through grants available from Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office. The application period for Local Consumer Aid Fund Grants (LCAF) is now open for new or existing grantees throughout the Commonwealth.
A former employee of the New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) has been indicted 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 has also been indicted in connection with stealing more than $79,000 from a friend and charged with a drug-related offense.
A former State Representative and his campaign treasurer were ordered to pay fines and restitution today in connection with failing to report thousands of dollars worth of campaign contributions and failing to preserve receipts for thousands of dollars in purported campaign expenditures, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A bill adopting key recommendations by Attorney General Martha Coakley to help provide enhanced transparency, competition, and accountability in utility rates and make improvements in key components of the Green Communities Act was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy today.
Arguing that mercury emissions by electric power plants are highly toxic and a threat to public health, Attorney General Martha Coakley is defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (“MATS”) rule against an appeal in federal court. Eleven other states, along with the District of Columbia and New York City, joined in AG Coakley’s motion today to intervene including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
In an effort to raise awareness and fight hunger in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley kicked off the 3rd Annual “Legal Food Frenzy” at The Greater Boston Food Bank today. The “Legal Food Frenzy” is a benevolent competition within the legal community organized by the Attorney General’s Office, in partnership with numerous bar associations, which will benefit all four Massachusetts Food Banks. The competition is credited with providing more than 470,000 meals to those struggling with hunger in the Commonwealth.
An Oxford oil company that allegedly left families in the cold through the holiday season, including a disabled widow on Christmas Day, was ordered to refund consumers who prepaid for service at the start of the winter season, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Before the Chelsea Collaborative, Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, and local officials at City Hall this morning, Attorney General Martha Coakley advocated for legislation her office filed that would prevent unnecessary foreclosures.
Settlements have been obtained against a real estate business in Cambridge and a housing management company in Haverhill for allegedly violating state anti-discrimination and fair housing laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The settlements include a broad range of relief and preventive measures to ensure future compliance of state and federal fair housing laws and anti-discrimination regulations.
A property owner from Weston and a Plainville-based heating contractor have been arraigned in connection with the alleged improper removal of asbestos in a single-family rental property in Medway, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Boston area landlord has been ordered to cease violating state housing laws after allegedly threatening tenants who complained about unsanitary and unsafe conditions, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Keith L. Miller of Newton allegedly threatened one tenant over their immigration status and others after they complained about property conditions.
“Many borrowers in Massachusetts are now one step closer to receiving the substantial relief negotiated as part of this settlement. This includes millions of dollars in relief for struggling homeowners and stronger protections for consumers in the future.
As part of “Sunshine Week,” Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that a new Open Meeting Law (OML) web training video has been posted online to serve as a resource to members of the public and public bodies seeking to understand the requirements of the OML.
An Ashland man has been arraigned in Framingham District Court for allegedly possessing images of child pornography, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Leading into “Sunshine Week” next week, Attorney General Martha Coakley today provided an update on the work of her office’s Division of Open Government (the Division) since it assumed responsibility for the implementation of revisions to the Open Meeting Law (OML) on July 1, 2010.
The former treasurer of the Lynn VFW has been indicted in connection with stealing more than $300,000 from the non-profit organization, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A settlement has been reached and citations issued against three companies for violations of the state’s wage and hour laws resulting in more than $2.8 million in restitution, fines and penalties, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former business manager of a Worcester long term care nursing facility pled guilty this week to stealing almost $15,000 in patient funds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In an effort to better inform and protect consumers, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office will participate in National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4-10, 2012. During the 14th annual NCPW, consumer protection agencies nationwide will share tips and information on financial literacy topics including managing money, avoiding fraud and scams and safeguarding against identity theft.
A Newton man has pled guilty in connection with improperly disposing of solid waste from the City of Lowell at an illegal dumping site, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) determination that motor vehicle emissions are contributing to climate change, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office took the lead on behalf of a coalition of states and environmental organizations in arguments this week before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The proceedings will determine the lawfulness of the EPA’s current greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations that are being challenged by groups representing the coal and petroleum industry.
An Oxford oil company that allegedly left families in the cold through the holiday season, including a disabled widow on Christmas Day, has had its financial assets frozen through a temporary restraining order, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Today, Attorney General Coakley and an interagency coalition of law enforcement officials, state and community representatives, advocates, and survivors appointed to the Human Trafficking Task Force convened for the first meeting of the task force after the new human trafficking law went into effect.
Citing her extensive leadership experience in law enforcement, including heading investigations into the gaming industry in New Jersey, Attorney General Martha Coakley today appointed retired New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Colonel Gayle Cameron to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
A Weston couple has been arraigned in connection with fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in Section 8 public housing subsidies, and defrauding mortgage lenders of more than $250,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Today a federal judge upheld the constitutionality of the Commonwealth’s buffer zone law as it applies to reproductive health care facilities in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. That law creates a 35-foot buffer zone around entrances and driveways of reproductive health care facilities that provide abortion-related services. The law allows persons to enter the buffer zone only to enter or leave the clinic, to reach a destination other than the clinic, or if they work for the clinic or municipality and are acting within the scope of their employment. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office defended the constitutionality of the statute in the federal court proceedings.
Concerned that recent changes to Google’s privacy policy increase the risk of identity theft and fraud, Attorney General Martha Coakley joined other Attorneys General today in sending a letter to Google Chief Executive Larry Page outlining several issues with the new guidelines. The letter was signed by a total 36 Attorneys General from across the country.
Attorney General Coakley joins 11 other Attorneys General and the Governor of Washington in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and urging the high court to uphold the landmark law.
Responding to the Senate’s passage of the bill, An Act Relative to Emergency Response of Public Utility Companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
Attorney General Martha Coakley is pleased to announce several new appointments to her leadership team, all of whom bring extensive litigation and management experience to their new roles and a passion for public service.
Ratepayers across the Commonwealth will receive approximately $217 million in savings through a settlement agreement negotiated by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office with NSTAR and Northeast Utilities, AG Coakley’s Office announced today.
Calling the constitutionality of the national health care law “not a close call” and arguing that Massachusetts’ own experience firmly supports Congress’ constitutional basis for passing it, Attorney General Martha Coakley today defended the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in remarks before the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
BOSTON - A $25 billion nationwide state-federal settlement over unlawful foreclosures, including robo-signing of documents, will bring an estimated $318 million dollars in assistance to Massachusetts borrowers, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Attorneys General from 49 states have agreed to join the settlement announced today in Washington, D.C.
BOSTON - Responding to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision striking down California’s Proposition 8 and extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement:
“The Ninth Circuit’s decision recognizes what we have long found to be true in Massachusetts, that the security and stability of our families is only strengthened when all people have the right to marry the person they love. Proposition 8, like the Defense of Marriage Act we have challenged, is a discriminatory law that should be relegated to its place in history with other laws of intolerance.”
Nearly $5 million in restitution and penalties were recovered for wage and labor violations in the Commonwealth in 2011, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The restitution and penalty payments are the result of cases handled by the Fair Labor Division of the Attorney General’s Office.
BOSTON – Concerned that the refusal by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to engage in principal forgiveness and loan modifications for struggling homeowners is slowing the nation’s economic recovery, Attorney General Martha Coakley has sent a letter urging Fannie and Freddie to reverse this stance.
A Weston couple has been indicted in connection with fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in Section 8 public housing subsidies, and defrauding mortgage lenders of more than $250,000, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
An insurance company has been sued for failing to compensate the Commonwealth more than $3 million after a bridge in Grafton collapsed due to shoddy construction work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
With nearly one of every two Americans using smart phones as powerful as desktop computers, and security threats to mobile devices reportedly expected to increase significantly this year, in recognition of National Data Privacy Day on Saturday, Attorney General Martha Coakley is urging consumers to protect their personal information by securing their phones.
A former Fall River dentist pleaded guilty in Bristol Superior Court on Medicaid fraud charges for inserting pieces of paper clips into patients’ mouths as a post in root canals instead of using standard posts made of stainless steel. Michael Clair, 53, will be sentenced at 9:00 a.m. on January 30 in Bristol Superior Court.
A property owner from Weston and a Plainville-based heating contractor have been indicted in connection with the alleged improper removal of asbestos in a single-family rental property in Medway, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Dorchester man has been convicted and sentenced to 12 to 15 years in state prison for conspiring to sell cocaine in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owner of a Lowell staffing company has pleaded guilty to charges he underreported the size and scope of his business operations in order to avoid paying approximately $110,000 in workers’ compensation premiums, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Saying a proposed home insurance rate request for more than 150,000 consumers is illegally excessive, Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office strongly opposed that increase during testimony before the Commissioner of Insurance today.
A California-based construction company has paid an additional $2.3 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false and inflated invoices to the Massachusetts Port Authority (“Massport”) during the renovation of Logan International Airport, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. This amount is in addition to the $1 million paid by URS Corporation (“URS”) to Massport prior to this litigation.
In an effort to encourage people to report instances of abuse, neglect, and fraud related to the Medicaid system in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley has launched an online form to make it even easier to send complaints.
A Northborough man has been arraigned in connection with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty for the alleged operation of an illegal dumping site, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A former bathroom remodeling salesman was arraigned in connection with allegedly defrauding multiple homeowners of thousands of dollars, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Subcontractors working at Pulte Homes sites in eastern Massachusetts have been ordered to pay more than $400,000 in unpaid wages and penalties, and more than $141,000 has been recovered in previously outstanding revenue for Massachusetts’ unemployment system.
Arguing that Massachusetts’ own experience supports the federal government’s basis for passing national health care reform, Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a brief today in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
In the wake of major storms last year that left thousands of Massachusetts customers without power for days, Attorney General Martha Coakley is working with the legislature to implement changes to the law that would direct all penalties paid by utilities directly back to impacted customers through rate credits.
A Hull man has pleaded guilty in connection with possessing and distributing child pornography over the Internet, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Two men have been arraigned in connection with collecting more than $67,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“Human trafficking is one of the most egregious human rights violations we see. It is a heinous crime of exploitation that involves forcing people to work for others for profit, whether through traditional types of labor or sexual exploitation. Victims are men, women, and children from our state, our country, and across the globe.
A former bathroom remodeling salesman was arraigned in connection with allegedly defrauding multiple homeowners of thousands of dollars, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Watertown roofing company and its owners have pleaded guilty and were sentenced on charges they failed to disclose millions of dollars in misclassified subcontractor payroll and failed to pay the prevailing wage, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office is proposing a regulation that, if adopted, would clarify the standard for a finding by the AG’s Office of an intentional violation of the Open Meeting Law. The regulation would define the term “Knowing or Knowingly” used in the Open Meeting Law. A public body that “knowingly” violates the Open Meeting Law is subject to a $1,000 fine per violation. The proposed regulation was posted on the AG’s website on December 12, 2011 and published in the State Register on December 23, 2011.
A Beverly man and an Attleboro woman have been arraigned for their alleged roles in selling and distributing millions of dollars worth of illegal MBTA monthly passes directly to riders, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – An Ashburnham man pleaded guilty and was sentenced in connection with collecting nearly $28,000, on two separate claims, in unemployment benefits while working for a construction company, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office unveiled amendments to regulations governing the registration and filing requirements for certain religious organizations that are also public charities. The regulations will simplify which religious organizations are required to register and submit annual filings with the Attorney General’s Office.
BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office released its report on Professional Solicitations for Charity in 2010. Professional solicitors, who are paid by charitable organizations to solicit donations from the public, are required by statute to register with the Attorney General’s Office. The report outlines the financial results of those individual charitable campaigns conducted in Massachusetts during calendar year 2010. The report is published annually and is designed to assist residents in making informed decisions regarding their charitable giving by providing the public with information on how much, on average, of every dollar raised by a campaign ends up with a given charity.
SALEM – A Peabody business owner pleaded guilty and was sentenced in connection with collecting over $28,000 in fraudulent insurance claims for work performed at his automotive and glass companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A $34.25 million national settlement has been reached with a financial services company as part of a nationwide investigation of alleged anticompetitive and fraudulent conduct in the municipal bond derivatives industry, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. The settlement with GE Funding Capital Market Services, Inc. (“GE Funding”), will provide a total of $30 million in restitution to affected state agencies and not-for-profits eligible in Massachusetts and the 24 participating states.
A Watertown roofing company and its owners have been arraigned on charges they allegedly failed to disclose millions of dollars in misclassified subcontractor payroll and failed to pay the prevailing wage, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Premium finance company IPFS Corporation (“IPFS”) has agreed to pay $82,000 to resolve allegations that it illegally and prematurely canceled financed auto insurance policies belonging to Massachusetts consumers and small businesses, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha (“CSI-Omaha”) has agreed to reduce and maintain rates through 2016 for Massachusetts policyholders in an agreement announced today with Attorney General Martha Coakley. Today’s action resolves allegations that the company charged excessive credit insurance rates.
A new affordable housing complex and long-term care facility in Great Barrington took a major step towards development after the signing of an environmental agreement that will ensure the cleanup and revitalization of the property, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A California based healthcare provider and its affiliates will pay more than $60,000 in restitution and penalties to settle allegations that they failed to pay vacation wages to employees who separated or were terminated from employment, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The agreement will provide more than $40,000 in restitution for the unpaid vacation time and also provides the payment of a civil penalty of $20,000 to the Commonwealth.
A lawsuit has been filed against a driving school in Waltham that shuttered its doors earlier this year after collecting thousands of dollars in fees from students, despite allegedly knowing it was in dire financial circumstances and was about to close, Attorney General Coakley announced today.
A lawsuit against thirteen drug manufacturers over inflated prices has ended with more than $47 million recovered for the Medicaid Program, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck), the nation’s second largest drug manufacturer, has agreed to pay $24 million, making this the largest single payment to Massachusetts for one Medicaid fraud case in state history.
A former office manager for a Hopkinton medical practice has pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her former employer, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Northborough man has been indicted in connection with multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty for the alleged operation of an illegal dumping site, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The former director of a Boston non-profit organization has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in connection with stealing more than $123,000 from the organization for her own benefit, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Three employees, including the Director of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Worcester Office, have been arraigned in connection with conspiring to illegally award lucrative state snow and ice removal contracts to a family friend in order to hide the financial interest of two of those state employees, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
The owner of two Internet cafés and his corporation have been arraigned on charges of operating an illegal slot parlor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Three other individuals have also been arraigned on gaming charges in connection with operations out of “Leo’s Place” Internet cafés in Fall River and Fairhaven.
A Los Angeles based movie director has been indicted in connection with fraudulently submitting film tax credit applications claiming inflated expenses for two films made in Massachusetts that resulted in an overpayment of more than $4.7 million in taxpayer funds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In an effort to support returning Massachusetts veterans with finding employment following their military service, Attorney General Martha Coakley has partnered with several Massachusetts’ community colleges to create a computer forensics career program for veterans.
A Los Angeles based movie director has been arraigned in connection with fraudulently submitting film tax credit applications claiming inflated expenses for two films made in Massachusetts that resulted in an overpayment of more than $4.7 million in taxpayer funds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley has appealed to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for review of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board’s (ASLB) refusal to consider the implications of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in connection with relicensing proceedings for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
Four individuals have been indicted in connection with collecting more than $99,000 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 Division of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).
Stating that individual voters are being increasingly disenfranchised by the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars of undisclosed contributions by corporations, Attorney General Martha Coakley today voiced her support for a federal constitutional amendment to make clear that corporate spending is not free speech.
Massachusetts non-profits and state agencies are eligible to receive approximately $925,000 in restitution as part of a multi-state settlement with Wachovia Bank resolving allegations of bid rigging investment contracts, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Wachovia will pay $58.75 million as a result of a national settlement with 24 states and the District of Columbia.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley urged Congress to reject legislation that would allow unsolicited calls and texts to cell phones. A letter sent this morning by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to Congress and signed by AG Coakley and 53 other state and territorial Attorneys General, recommends that Congress reject the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011 [H.R. 3035].
Leominster developers have been ordered to pay $200,000 for illegally hiring timber harvesters to clear cut 100 acres of the Crown Point residential subdivision, causing the illegal alteration of bordering vegetated wetlands, protected stream banks and 15 acres of the buffer zone to those protected resources, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
BOSTON – Five national banks have been sued in connection with their roles in allegedly pursuing illegal foreclosures on properties in Massachusetts as well as deceptive loan servicing, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The lawsuit was filed today in Suffolk Superior Court against Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and GMAC. It also names Mortgage Electronic Registration System, Inc. (“MERS”) and its parent, MERSCORP Inc., as defendants.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that the application process for her individual appointment to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has begun.
Four organizations were awarded a total of $155,000 in grants aimed at promoting asset building in low-income communities across the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
More than $5.6 Million in additional insurance refunds are headed back to Massachusetts motorcycle owners, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
RBS Financial Products Inc. (“RBS”) will pay $52 Million to settle allegations that it financed, purchased, and securitized residential loans that were presumptively unfair under Massachusetts law, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The company, formerly known as Greenwich Capital Financial Products, Inc., is a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (Merck) has agreed to pay nearly $10 million to the Massachusetts Medicaid program as part of a nationwide settlement over allegations of off-label marketing and failure to disclose potential adverse health effects, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Dorchester man has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in state prison for trafficking and conspiring to sell cocaine in the Greater Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A Marlborough man has been indicted in connection with improperly disposing of solid waste from the City of Lowell at an illegal dumping site, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that her Office had settled with two premium finance companies that allegedly facilitated a scheme orchestrated by the Peabody-based Kilgore Insurance Agency (Kilgore) to overcharge businesses and consumers by padding insurance premiums by millions of dollars.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced new regulations under the Open Meeting Law that authorize remote participation in meetings by members of public bodies under certain circumstances.
Following up on two landmark reports issued by her office on the major cost drivers of health care in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley today outlined solutions to help cure a “dysfunctional market” and control health care costs moving forward.
Three employees, including the Director of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Worcester Office, have been indicted in connection with conspiring to illegally award lucrative state snow and ice removal contracts to a family friend in order to hide the financial interest of two of those state employees, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
Urging closer scrutiny on homeowners’ insurance rates, Attorney General Martha Coakley urged the State Rating Board to trigger a hearing to more closely review the data insurers use to set those rates. In a letter to the State Rating Board, the AG’s Office claims that insurers use untested or discredited hurricane models, potentially driving up costs for all homeowners.
A former employee of an MBTA subcontractor and three others have been indicted for their alleged roles in selling and distributing millions of dollars worth of illegal MBTA monthly passes directly to riders, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Emphasizing the important contribution by Massachusetts’ veterans and their families, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and Department of Veteran Services Secretary Coleman Nee presided over a special forum Tuesday morning at the State House focused on improving veterans’ services. The forum, which included leaders in the veterans’ community, examined how the Commonwealth can ensure that veterans have access to the full range of benefits and services offered to them.
Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement following the passage of An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate.
Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that creates the crime of human trafficking in the Commonwealth. On January 20, 2011, AG Coakley, lead sponsors Senator Mark Montigny and House Judiciary Chairman Eugene O’Flaherty, and a coalition of law enforcement and victim advocates, filed comprehensive human trafficking legislation.
Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement urging the passage of An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights by the Massachusetts House of Representatives today.
Yesterday, school personnel from across the state, including principals, teachers, and school safety officials, spoke to the Commission on Bullying Prevention (“The Commission”) about their experiences in implementing the state’s new anti-bullying law on a daily basis.
Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed new legislation to address abandoned housing and secondary metals dealing. In January, Attorney General Martha Coakley filed An Act Regulating Secondary Metals Dealing, co-sponsored by Senator James E. Timilty.
The former owners of Riverside Mitsubishi in Auburn face a contempt proceeding for allegedly selling cars in Massachusetts in violation of a court order, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The AG’s Office also alleges that the former owners failed to make the final $100,000 payment owed to the Commonwealth under the judgment.
A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to four years in jail for leading a mortgage scheme that defrauded more than a dozen financial lending institutions and several homebuyers of more than $2 million in connection with the purchase of 26 multi-family properties in the Boston area, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owner of “Cafeno’s” Internet café in Chicopee, his business partner, and their corporation have been indicted on charges of operating an illegal slot parlor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. These indictments follow similar charges against the owners of two internet cafés in Fall River and Fairhaven.
The former owner of a Woburn restaurant has been arraigned for allegedly violating the Commonwealth’s wage and hour laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Lynne A. Howell, 50, of Woburn, former owner of La Stanza Diva Ristorante, was arraigned on charges of Failure to Pay Wages (3 counts), and Failure to Provide Suitable Pay Stub Record (3 counts).
The developers of the former Atlantic Lobster Company site in Saugus must pay a $100,000 civil penalty for violations of public tidelands and wetlands laws under a court order announced by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office today.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley testified on the impact on consumers of the Green Communities Act (GCA), arguing that the benefits of the GCA should be maintained while also working to reduce the costs of the programs. Coakley called for measures to increase competition and transparency, provide clearer, robust definitions of cost‑effectiveness, and offer fewer sweetheart incentives for utility companies.
A Westborough company that supplies manufacturers with high fructose corn syrup was ordered to restore wetlands and pay a penalty to the state for allegedly discharging industrial rinse water into wetlands surrounding its distribution plant, according to a settlement announced by Attorney General Martha Coakley.
An agreement has been reached with two companies to settle allegations that they failed to pay more than $225,000 in vacation wages to employees who separated or were terminated from employment, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The companies will also pay a civil penalty of $71,300 to the Commonwealth.
A New York trucking company that had been transporting hazardous waste on the Commonwealth’s roads is being sued for failing to pay nearly $330,000 in hazardous waste transport fees, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A preliminary injunction has been obtained to protect $285,000 in remaining assets of a bankrupt religious charity until further investigation into alleged misuse of charitable funds by the charity’s former board members, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (“Avalon”), one of the state’s largest residential landlords, has agreed to implement new policies affecting all of its Massachusetts properties to resolve allegations that the company discriminated against a tenant with disabilities, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Managers at the Avalon at Bedford Center property had allegedly failed to install requested grab bars in the tenant’s bathroom in a timely manner, causing the tenant to injure herself.
“We have had a number of recent storms that have caused widespread outages and problems for customers. It is essential that utilities are properly prepared for these storms and are able to quickly respond to outages, all while maintaining strong lines of communication with local officials and customers.
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley met with local officials and toured a property in Holyoke 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.
A contempt proceeding has been sought against the alleged mastermind of a bait and switch scheme designed to dupe consumers out of money for fake vacation club memberships, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. The AG’s Office alleges the company’s owner withdrew $480,000 from bank accounts just one day after a court injunction had frozen those assets.
A Marblehead real estate attorney has been found liable for his involvement in a foreclosure rescue scheme that victimized distressed homeowners facing foreclosure and is now banned from acting as a closing attorney or title agent in any real estate transaction in Massachusetts, announced Attorney General Martha Coakley today.
Three Massachusetts masonry companies and their owners have been ordered to pay more than $68,000 for failing to pay the prevailing wage, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owner and operator of a Milford gas station has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that he and his companies failed to notify the proper authorities of the release of 15,000-gallons of diesel fuel from an underground tank at the station, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
The owner of two Internet cafés and his corporation have been indicted on charges of operating an illegal slot parlor, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Three other individuals have also been indicted on gaming charges in connection with operations out of “Leo’s Place” Internet cafés in Fall River and Fairhaven.
In her ongoing effort to ensure equality for married couples in Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley today filed a brief with the United States First Circuit Court of Appeals in the Commonwealth’s constitutional challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
Annual reporting data should be compiled and submitted by schools in order to improve bullying prevention efforts in the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley told members of the Joint Committee on Education today.
A Stoughton woman was arrested and arraigned this morning in connection with allegations of prostitution at three spas she owned and operated in Brockton, Norwood and Canton.
After nearly a year of litigation and settlement discussions, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP) has agreed to reduce the company’s proposed rate increase by $193 million, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Helping ensure that Massachusetts veterans and their families have access to the full range of benefits and services offered to them, Attorney General Martha Coakley has created an office-wide task force focused on this effort.
Attorney General Martha Coakley today alerted former customers of Borders bookstores that they now have more time to stop the transfer of their personal information to Barnes & Nobles. The bookstore is also making it easier for consumers to opt-out through their website.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has submitted a formal letter of support for the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The letter sent yesterday by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to the U.S. Senate was signed by AG Coakley and 36 other state and territorial Attorneys General.
Addressing a group of 40 fraud directors from around the country, Attorney General Martha Coakley today highlighted the importance of collaboration among law enforcement, employers, employees and local fraud bureaus to prevent and prosecute cases of fraud across a variety of industries.
A decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today in Bevilacqua v. Rodriguez, reaffirmed that a mortgage holder must have both “jurisdiction and authority” –a valid assignment of mortgage - in order to foreclose on a property.
A Northborough man has been ordered to stop accepting solid waste and compostable material on his property, providing relief to neighbors who have had to live with the odors and noise emanating from the property, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Serve New England, Inc., a food co-op formerly located in Avon that had for many years provided individuals, families and institutions with discounted food packages, has been ordered to dissolve after an investigation found that the organization’s management and board failed to properly respond to declining financial conditions that contributed to the closure of the non-profit, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Milford general contractor has pleaded guilty to charges he conducted more than 30 phony septic system inspections on properties throughout the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
A new computing center planned for Holyoke took a major step towards development after the signing of an environmental agreement that will ensure the cleanup and revitalization of the property, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
With federal officials expecting exceedingly high oil prices this year, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office issued the following information to help people be educated consumers and protect themselves.
The owner of a South Hadley roofing company pleaded guilty to charges he defrauded his insurance company of workers’ compensation premiums by misclassifying his workers on insurance policies, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
In an effort to provide greater transparency and access to the office’s decisions, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that all of the Division of Open Government’s Open Meeting Law (OML) determinations will now be available through an interactive online database.
The owners of two Chinese food restaurants with locations in Raynham and Somerset have been ordered to pay more than $52,000 in restitution and more than $129,000 in penalties for intentional violations of the Massachusetts Minimum Wage, Child Labor and Anti-Retaliation Laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A former case manager for a state welfare program commonly known as the “food stamp” program has been sentenced after pleading guilty to soliciting and receiving bribes in return for approving expedited benefits, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Swampscott woman and East Boston man pleaded guilty to charges they separately collected more than $37,000 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 Division of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).
Richard Vitale and WN Advisors LLC, an entity owned and controlled by Vitale, pleaded guilty in Suffolk Superior Court in connection with violations of state lobbying and campaign finance laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. Vitale was placed on probation for 2 years, is barred from acting as a legislative agent or lobbyist entity for three legislative sessions, and was ordered to pay the maximum fines allowed under the laws in force at the time - $32,000. Vitale will also be required to disgorge to the Commonwealth $60,000 in fees he was paid by the Ticket Brokers.
A Dorchester woman has been indicted in connection with fraudulently receiving more than $31,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
“I have lost confidence that the banks will bring to the table an agreement that properly holds them accountable for wrongful foreclosures. Because our office for some time has anticipated that result, we have begun preparing for litigation. Our office is aggressively proceeding with efforts to file lawsuits regarding creditor misconduct in connection with unlawful foreclosures, including the failure to establish the right to start a foreclosure as well as filing false or misleading documents with registries in the Commonwealth. We will, as we have in the past, use our resources to hold the big banks accountable to fully protect homeowners and restore a healthy economy.”
Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a partnership with the Cambridge Police Department and the North American Family Institute (NAFI) to sponsor a youth and police initiative aimed at building trust in the law and law enforcement, while reducing delinquency and violence among at-risk teens. The goal of this program, the Youth & Police Initiative (YPI), is to positively impact relationships and interactions between local patrol officers and adolescents in higher risk communities, while also strengthening community relations. The Cambridge pilot program is a part of the Attorney General’s Project YES Partnerships and will focus on teen girls in North Cambridge.
A Dorchester man has been indicted in connection with allegedly engaging two underage girls into prostitution at hotels and residences in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex Counties, in order to derive a profit. The indictments were announced today by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office and Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley’s Office in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police.
Attorney General Coakley today warned former customers of Borders bookstores, that their customer information will be sold to Barnes and Noble bookstores as part of its bankruptcy proceeding unless they opt-out in advance. The book seller, which recently filed for bankruptcy, has been allowed by the Bankruptcy Court to sell its customer information to Barnes & Noble bookstores.
Each year, the Attorney General’s Office responds to hundreds of housing discrimination complaints and brings enforcement actions against persons or companies that violate fair housing laws. For that reason, the Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) recently teamed up to host an educational webinar for Massachusetts realtors around housing discrimination law.
More than $5.6 million in additional insurance refunds are headed back to Massachusetts motorcycle owners as a result of the latest settlements with insurers for allegedly overcharging policyholders, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. In total, 15 insurance companies have settled with the Attorney General and have agreed to return nearly $40 million to Massachusetts consumers.
Stating that Massachusetts consumers’ energy costs should be cut by nearly $113 million based on the excessive rates charged by electric transmission companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley today filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking to lower the rates that transmission companies charge New England ratepayers.
Ten people and three companies have been indicted in connection with their involvement in four individual Medicaid Fraud investigations, for allegedly defrauding taxpayers and MassHealth of approximately $10 million, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Ten men and one woman have been indicted in connection with allegedly trafficking, possessing, and distributing narcotics in the Commonwealth, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today.
A Methuen-based developer has been ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and serve probation after pleading guilty for the improper removal and disposal of asbestos for work performed on a multi-family residence in Lawrence, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.
Attorney General Martha Coakley has recommended that the approval of the proposed merger between NSTAR and Northeast Utilities be subject to certain conditions to ensure that electric and gas customers receive the benefits of the merger.