Office of the Attorney General - State of California - Department of Justice - News Feed

Brown Wins $19.5 Million Judgment Against Shell Oil Co. for Environmental Violations at its Gas Stations

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Oakland - After finding "hundreds of environmental violations" at Shell gasoline stations statewide, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that his office has secured a $19.5 million judgment against the oil company and its affiliates, which will ensure compliance with the state's hazardous waste and underground fuel storage laws. "Shell Oil Company disregarded the state's underground fuel storage and hazardous waste laws, committing hundreds of environmental violations at its gasoline stations across California," Brown said.

Brown's Statement on Judge Ordering Anna Nicole Smith's Boyfriend and Physicians to Stand Trial

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:00:00 UTC

Statement from Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry's order for Howard K. Stern, Khristine Eroshevich and Sandeep Kapoor to stand trial on charges of conspiring to illegally furnish prescription medications causing the death of Anna Nicole Smith. "These are very serious violations that will deservedly be heard by a jury," said Attorney General Brown. "This will send a message that the laws regarding prescription drug safety will be vigorously enforced in California."

Brown Calls on Banks and Loan Servicers to Detail Plans to Stem New Wave of Foreclosures

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Los Angeles - Concerned about a "new wave" of foreclosures, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today called on ten major banks and loan servicers to detail their plans to assist homeowners facing dramatic monthly payment increases on Pay Option Adjustable Rate Mortgages. "Homeowners with Pay Option ARMs are sitting on ticking time bombs that the lending industry has the power to defuse," Brown said.

Brown Obtains Guilty Plea from Individual who Sold Phony Trips to Cuba

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Santa Ana - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that Ralph Adam Rendon, 33, of Orange County, was sentenced to five years in state prison yesterday for selling $154,000 in "phony travel packages" to senior citizens seeking to visit Cuba for religious and cultural purposes. Rendon pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Theft. As part of the plea agreement, Rendon was ordered to pay $154,000 in restitution. "This individual sold $154,000 of phony travel packages, ripping off senior citizens who wanted to go to Cuba for religious and cultural purposes," Brown said.

Brown and 11 States Force Loan Provider to Forgive $112.7 million in Debts of Helicopter Flight School Students

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

El Cajon-Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and 11 other state Attorneys General today forced Student Loan Xpress, Inc. to provide $112.7 million in debt relief to students facing a "mountain of debt" for helicopter flight instruction they never received. Of the $112.7 million, approximately $25.5 million in debt relief will go to California residents who did not receive the training they paid for. "These students did not obtain the helicopter instruction they were promised, yet Student Loan Xpress insisted that they pay off the full cost of their tuition," Brown said.

In case you missed it: Brown's Huffington Post Column on State Street Lawsuit

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

CNBC: Pimping for State Street Bank? By Attorney General Jerry Brown October 21, 2009 If street thugs were to hold up a convenience store and drive off with $1 million, it would be national news. But when a venerable Boston bank rips off California's two largest pension funds for $56 million, it's business-as-usual - at least to the anchors of CNBC. State Street Bank - the world's largest servicer of pensions - systematically ripped off CalPERS and CalSTRS over a period of eight years. It did this by adding a tiny surcharge on foreign currency trades.

Brown Sues State Street Bank for Massive Fraud Against CalPERS and CalSTRS

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

SACRAMENTO - Seeking to recover more than $200 million in illegal overcharges and penalties, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr.

Brown and California Arts Council Announce $549,000 for Musical Performances Up and Down the State

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Sacramento - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and the California Arts Council today announced that 42 local arts organizations will be awarded $549,000 to present free or inexpensive public concerts throughout California with funds obtained from a 2003 anti-trust settlement. "Music has a universal appeal, bringing people together and creating a community spirit," Brown said.

Brown Alerts Homeowners that New Law Prohibits Up-front Fees for Foreclosure Relief Services

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Sacramento - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a consumer alert warning California homeowners to avoid individuals and businesses that charge up up-front fees for foreclosure relief services in light of a just-enacted state law that makes this "abusive practice" subject to prosecution. "Over the past two years, unscrupulous attorneys and real estate brokers have abused their trusted roles and exploited desperate homeowners seeking to avoid foreclosure," Brown said.

Brown Arrests Former Healthcare Clinic Manager for $2.2 Million Medi-Cal Rip-off

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Siskiyou County - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has filed criminal charges against the former manager of a Mount Shasta-based medical clinic who filed "bogus claims" under Medi-Cal for medical services that were never performed. Denise Fairhurst, 57, of Redding, was arrested Wednesday on five criminal counts of grand theft, insurance fraud and submitting false claims to the government. She is being held in Siskiyou County Jail on $1 million dollar bail. Arraignment is set for today in Siskiyou Superior Court at 3:00 p.m.

Brown Sues 8 Individuals and 6 Businesses Operating Scams Targeting California Small Businesses

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 0:00:00 UTC

San Diego - Continuing his fight against "rip-off artists" operating in California, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. filed suit today against eight individuals and six businesses that operated scams targeting small business owners. The lawsuits, filed today in San Diego Superior Court, seek to recover more than $3 million. Schedule note: Brown is in San Diego this morning and is available to speak about these cases at approximately 10:30 -- at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel - downtown (Indigo A Room, 1 Park Blvd in San Diego 92101. "These cases will send a powerful signal that small business owners must be on the alert," Brown said.

Brown Sues Executive Financial Credit Services for Operating Illegally

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 0:00:00 UTC

LOS ANGELES -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued Todd Swick and Michael Sardo, owners of Los Angeles based Executive Financial Credit Services, for ignoring "repeated warnings" to register with his office and post a $100,000 bond with the Secretary of State. "Swick and Sardo violated California law by refusing to register their credit repair business with the Attorney General's office and post a $100,000 bond, even after repeated warnings," Brown said.

Brown Arrests Individual Who Operated Nationwide Credit Card Scheme While Out on Bail

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 0:00:00 UTC

Santa Ana - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that agents from his office and the Santa Ana Police Department have arrested a "serial con artist" who defrauded hundreds of people by charging them $500 to apply for credit cards that did not exist. Ralph Adam Rendon, 33, of Orange County, was arrested late last week on suspicion of grand theft and forgery. While no new charges have been filed at this point, his bail has been increased to $1 million and a search warrant was executed at his Santa Ana business. He is currently being held in custody at the Santa Ana Jail.

Brown Sues Beverly Hills Investment Adviser Stanley Chais for Misleading Investors and Concealing Ties to Bernard Madoff

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:00:00 UTC

Los Angeles - Continuing his fight against financial fraud, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today filed suit against "Madoff middleman" Stanley Chais, who directed hundreds of millions of dollars of his clients' investments to Bernard Madoff, while actively concealing the link between the two. This suit seeks at least $25 million in civil penalties, restitution for victims, disgorgement of profits and compensation and an injunction prohibiting future violations of California law.

Statement on Second Circuit's Long-Awaited Ruling on Power Plant Nuisance Case

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:00:00 UTC

"This case is a critical milestone, allowing global warming cases to be decided by the courts, just as they decide complex water pollution, air pollution, and toxic dumping cases," Attorney General Jerry Brown said. "It's highly significant that the federal court has affirmed the right of states to challenge the greenhouse gas emissions generated by coal-fired power plants. The time has now come for Congress to enact long overdue climate protection legislation."