Massachusetts

January 04, 2008 -- BOSTON – The Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley obtained default judgments against two Internet retailers in connection with the alleged sale of “look-alike” BB guns and air rifles to minors yesterday afternoon. Suffolk Superior Court Judge John C. Cratsley ordered two out-of-state companies, Jungle Toy, LLC, of Chino, California, and Tactical Innovations, LLC, of Milford Ohio, to pay fines and penalties totaling $78,500. Judge Cratsley also granted a permanent injunction prohibiting the two companies from such sales in the future.    » read more »

December 20, 2007 -- BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office has filed a complaint and a Consent Judgment against Boston-based insurance broker William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“WGA”) for billing customers for unauthorized and undisclosed compensation and misleading customers about the brokerage firm’s contingent commission practices and involvement in reinsurance.    » read more »

Boston has faced deep cuts in counter terrorism dollars under the Bush Administration's funding scheme

12/19/2007 -- Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry today announced that legislation he introduced over the summer requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on state homeland security funding was approved as part of the overall omnibus spending bill. This legislation was co-sponsored by Senator Kennedy.    » read more »

December 19, 2007 -- BOSTON – The Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has assessed penalties of more than $190,000 against FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. for intentionally misclassifying 13 drivers as independent contractors rather than as employees. The Attorney General’s Office cited FedEx Ground for violating the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law by misclassifying the drivers, failing to provide a proper paystub, failing to provide workers’ compensation, not paying overtime to certain drivers, and neglecting to deduct and withhold state income taxes.    » read more »

Issues Guidance To Industry

December 18, 2007 -- BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed final, revised mortgage broker and mortgage lender regulations with the Secretary of State and has issued official guidance to the broker and lender community to help them understand and implement the new consumer protection regulations governing mortgage brokers and lenders.    » read more »

December 17, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today announced that Massachusetts low-income households will receive $82 million in fuel aid as part of the Omnibus Appropriations bill currently before Congress. The amount is enough to assist 95,000 families throughout the Commonwealth who are feeling the economic effects of increased oil prices.    » read more »

Asks Commissioner to Revisit Regulations on Socio-Economic Rating Factors

December 17, 2007 -- BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office filed paperwork with the Division of Insurance to trigger auto insurance rate cases against two additional insurance companies: Arbella Insurance Company and the Hanover Group.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- BOSTON– Facing possible action from Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office, Pan-American Life Insurance Company has voluntarily agreed to stop an advertising blitz in local newspapers seeking to enroll Massachusetts residents in unapproved health insurance products in advance of the December 31, 2007, deadline for Massachusetts residents to obtain health insurance under the new health reform law.

In a letter to the Attorney General’s Office dated yesterday, Pan-American agreed to:    » read more »

December 12, 2007 -- BOSTON - Today, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office issued its fourth bulletin on managed competition, the new auto insurance rate setting system which was implemented this year and allows insurance companies to set their own rates. Under the new system, companies must file individual rates and should compete with other insurers for customers.    » read more »

Reaches Agreement To Prohibit Unlawful Debt Collection

December 10, 2007 -- BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office reached a preliminary agreement with The Cadle Company (TCC), The Cadle Company II, Inc. (TCC II), and Daniel C. Cadle (Cadle), all of Ohio, prohibiting them from engaging in unfair and unlawful debt collection as outlined in a complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court on Friday, December 7, 2007. The defendants do not have the necessary licenses to collect debt in the Commonwealth.    » read more »

Wilmington, DE (December 6, 2007) – The Biden for President Campaign announced today the endorsements of two Massachusetts State Legislators. Rep. Charles Murphy (D-Burlington) and Rep. Robert Rice (D-Gardner) have pledged their support and backing to Sen. Joe Biden.

“Joe is the only candidate in this race with the experience and know-how to get this country back on track.” Murphy says. “I support Joe, because he is right on the major issues our country is facing today and has the ability to get things done.”    » read more »

Corporation Also Enters Into Settlement Agreement and Will Pay $400,000 to the Commonwealth

December 05, 2007 -- BOSTON – Yesterday, a local dental corporation pled guilty to charges that it fraudulently billed MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, for dental services that were never rendered. Joseph Y. Ng, D.M.D., P.C., a dental office in Chinatown, pled guilty to a charge of Medicaid False Claims. Boston Municipal Court Judge Michael Coyne sentenced the corporation of Joseph Y. Ng, D.M.D., P.C. to a term of probation for five years.    » read more »

November 30, 2007 -- SALEM – Today, a Beverly, Massachusetts man was ordered to pay over half a million dollars to investors who had hired him to invest their savings in stocks. Michael Abbot, age 52, was sentenced by Essex Superior Court Judge Howard J. Whitehead to seven years of probation.    » read more »

November 30, 2007 -- WORCESTER – Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office reached a settlement with a Worcester biotechnology company, the company’s President and its Treasurer, for violating the Commonwealth’s wage laws. Steven Arikian, M.D., President, age 50, of Queens, New York, James A. McNulty, Treasurer, age 57, of Tampa, Florida, and their company Biovest International, Inc., of Worcester, agreed to pay a total of $302,824.24, including interest, to more than thirty employees who were affected and a penalty of $20,000 to the Commonwealth.    » read more »

November 26, 2007 -- BOSTON – In an effort to better inform the residents of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office has made available a series of consumer guides designed to educate the public of their rights under the Consumer Protection Act.    » read more »