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Dear Friends,
I'm proud of the work of my legal team this past month. We logged multiple legal victories that will improve the lives of Washingtonians, including a victory that will improve children's safety nationwide.
Additionally, my Artificial Intelligence Task Force met for the first time, we filed more criminal cases for alleged organized retail crime, continued our work to keep dangerous sex offenders behind bars and my legal team continued fighting for justice on behalf of survivors of clergy abuse.
Here are just some highlights of the incredible legal work my team engages in every day to stand up for Washingtonians:
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Allure Esthetic and plastic surgeon Dr. Javad Sajan must pay $5 million to resolve my lawsuit asserting that he and his clinic forced patients to sign illegal non-disclosure agreements and falsified online reviews to inflate his reputation. Allure will pay nearly $1.5 million in restitution to approximately 21,000 Washingtonians. Eligible patients should soon receive a letter from my office with a check, for either $50 or $120 depending on the individual's circumstances. Allure is also required to remove any misleading or false information about the plastic surgery practice from its website. You can learn more about Allure's illegal conduct in this coverage: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/seattle-plastic-surgeon-must-pay-5m-after-allegedly-faking-reviews/
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Dollar Tree must more thoroughly test children's products nationwide and pay $190,000 after my office's investigation determined school supplies it sold contained illegal levels of the toxic heavy metals lead and cadmium. In some cases, the products contained more than four times the state and federal limit for lead or four times the state limit for cadmium. Dollar Tree must now ensure the laboratories it uses outside the U.S. follow testing methods that are audited and verified through independent experts. Read more about the resolution here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/dollar-tree-reform-children-s-products-testing-nationwide-pay-nearly-200k-after
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My office's Artificial Intelligence Task Force met for the first time in late July. The task force - created by legislation I requested - will assess the technology's benefits and challenges, issue findings and reports, and make policy recommendations to the Legislature. If you would like to sign up to receive regular updates from the task force or provide written comments at any time, please contact [email protected]. You can watch the inaugural meeting here: https://tvw.org/video/artificial-intelligence-task-force-2024071136/?eventID=2024071136
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My office filed two new felony criminal cases for organized retail theft, which brought the total to five cases since my office's Organized Retail Crime Unit started one year ago. In one case, we allege two individuals stole liquor products from stores in western Washington and, on at least one occasion, sold the products from the trunk of their car in a Safeway parking lot. In the other case, my office alleges a man faked state government documents - on several occasions forging the state treasurer's signature - to steal boat motors in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties. If convicted, the defendants in both cases face a prison sentence of a maximum of 10 years and a $20,000 penalty for each count. The Attorney General's Office will seek full restitution for the thefts in both cases. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the individual is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Read more about those cases here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-organized-retail-crime-unit-files-two-new-criminal-prosecutions
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My office's Sexually Violent Predator Unit continued its work to prevent the release of dangerous sex offenders. A Pierce County Superior Court judge found probable cause to transfer a sex offender to McNeil Island after my office filed a petition to prevent his release into the community. The civil commitment petition consists of allegations that have not yet been proven in a court of law. My prosecutors still must prove the allegations in court beyond a reasonable doubt. The offender will remain at McNeil Island until a trial in May 2025. Read more about that case here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/attorney-general-s-sex-predator-unit-prevents-release-pierce-county-sex-offender
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Finally, I vowed to appeal after a King County Superior Court judge denied my request to enforce a subpoena against the Seattle Archdiocese in my investigation of sexual assaults inside the Catholic Church. As a Catholic, I believe in justice for survivors and I am disappointed by the Church's lack of transparency. We will do everything we can to uncover the truth and bring a voice to survivors. Two state newspaper editorial boards support my effort to uncover the truth:
I am tremendously grateful for the hard work of all the attorneys and professional staff in the Office of the Attorney General. Thanks for following the work of my office.
Sincerely,
Bob Ferguson
Washington State Attorney General
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Washington State Office of Attorney General