News & Events

For media inquiries and other press-related questions, please contact the NAAG Press Center at (202) 326-6027.

Press Room

State News Headlines

August 15, 2007

The following headlines are compiled as an internal service for state Attorney General offices only. This list is not exhaustive and is a snapshot of news from around the country compiled through the use of various search engines.

Pa. Elderly Services Company Targeted

ALBANY, N.Y. - A Pennsylvania company that sold home service agreements to the elderly is accused in lawsuits of failing to deliver on its promises. Homeward Bound Services of North America and its owners are accused of deceptive and fraudulent practices in the sale of contracts to more than 600 New Yorkers seeking everyday services to help them stay out of nursing homes, according to the lawsuit announced Tuesday by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Full Article

Mattel Recalls 19 Million Toys Sent From China

Mattel, the world’s largest toy company, yesterday announced the biggest recall in its history. In a double-barreled announcement, the company said it was recalling 436,000 Chinese-made die-cast toy cars depicting the character Sarge from the animated film “Cars” because they are covered with lead paint. At the same time, the toy maker said it was recalling 18.2 million other toys because their small, powerful magnets could harm children if swallowed. The magnetized toys were also made in China, but they followed a Mattel design specification. About half of the toys in each recall were distributed in the United States. Full Article

Grants Given for Nonexistent Students

The D.C. school system received almost $4 million in federal funds for educating migrant children when it did not have any, city and federal officials said yesterday. The school system received $3.85 million between 1994 and 2004 for children whose families had seasonal employment in agriculture and fishing. The U.S. Department of Education awarded the grants on an annual basis based on information submitted by D.C. education officials. Full Article

Payday Loan Industry Launches Ad Blitz

The local payday loan industry has launched an aggressive advertising campaign to try to persuade the D.C. Council to reverse a vote that would limit the fees charged on short-term loans. Last month, the council voted 12 to 0 to give initial approval to a bill that would limit the rate charged for a $100 loan repaid within two weeks to 90 cents -- a rate more in line with those of banks and credit unions. Currently, customers pay an average of $15 to $16 per $100. The industry maintains that such a cap could force payday advance firms out of business. Full Article

Personal information stolen from Idaho Army National Guard

A small computer drive containing Social Security numbers and other personal information about every Army National Guard soldier in Idaho has been stolen, a National Guard spokeswoman said Tuesday. The device containing information on roughly 3,400 soldiers was stolen Monday night out of a soldier's car while she was traveling in the Treasure Valley on official duty, Lt. Col. Stephanie Dowling said. Officials hope the person who stole the drive - along with other computer equipment and personal items - doesn't know what he has. Full Article

Leslie R. Kershaw
Communications Assistant
Office: (202) 326-6027
Fax: (202) 408-8061
Email: lnelson@naag.org

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