http://www.oag.state.md.us RSS feed for Maryland Office of the Attorney General Press Headlines en-us Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:00 EST Thu, 23 May 2013 10:15:00 EST webmaster@oag.state.md.us(Fritz Schantz) http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/052313.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/052313.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, joined by attorneys general from 32 other states and territories, announced today the resolution of a multistate antitrust investigation of a major U.S. book publisher for price-fixing and collusion in the electronic book (E-book) market. The agreement with Penguin Group (USA) Inc., settles allegations that Penguin colluded with other major publishers and Apple Inc., to manipulate prices in the E-book market. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/052113.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/052113.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that 16,627 Maryland families have received more than $1.3 billion in relief from the National Mortgage Settlement during the period of March 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013. This represents approximately $400 million more in relief and assistance for distressed homeowners than was originally estimated. This latest report does not include the one-time, no-strings-attached cash payments to eligible borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure. Eligible Marylanders should begin receiving checks next month; they are expected to exceed the $840 minimum, although an exact amount is not yet known. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/051413a.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/051413a.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Maryland has joined with 49 other states and the federal government in a $500 million settlement to resolve civil and criminal allegations that Ranbaxy, a generic pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Gurgaon, India, introduced adulterated drugs into interstate commerce. As a result, false or fraudulent claims were submitted to Maryland's Medicaid program. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/051413.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/051413.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, joined by 42 other attorneys general, sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to place a black box warning on opioid analgesics to indicate the risk of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is caused when infants who have been exposed to opioids through their mother's pre-natal use suddenly lose their opioid drug supply at birth. The withdrawal of the opioids can cause a variety of symptoms in the newborns including tremors, vomiting, high-pitch crying, hyperactivity, weight loss and failure to gain weight. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/051013.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/051013.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler urged Marylanders to be wary and exercise caution if they receive an unsolicited phone call from a company seeking approval to deliver or install a medical alert or medical alarm device that the caller claims is already ordered and paid for, "free" or offered at no cost by an unspecified government-type program. In this scam, the unsolicited caller may attempt to get personal financial information and your home address over the phone. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/050913.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/050913.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Nnamdi Adiegwu, 37, of Baltimore, has been charged by way of a criminal information in the Baltimore County Circuit Court with one count each of Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/050813.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/050813.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is urging several major advertisers to cease advertising on Ask.fm, an ad-supported website that has become a forum for anonymous attacks on children and teens. It has also been linked to multiple teen suicides. The letter sent to advertisers says the Latvia-based website not only allows "anonymous publication of malicious personal attacks on teenagers and children as young as 8 years old," but also appears to collect personal information about children in ways that violate the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/050613.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/050613.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is partnering with the Maryland State Police and local law enforcement in this inaugural statewide gun turn-in day to provide residents an opportunity to voluntarily and safely dispose of their unwanted firearms. State and local enforcement agencies will be on hand at multiple gun turn-in locations this Saturday, May 11 to accept handguns, rifles and shotguns for safe disposal. No personal identification is required and no advance appointment is necessary. "Any Marylander who has a gun that is no longer wanted will be able get rid of it safely, no questions asked," said Attorney General Gansler. "Our goal is to provide a simple means for families to make their homes and communities safer. I want to thank the Maryland State Police and the many county and local law enforcement agencies for their hard work building safer communities throughout Maryland and making this statewide public safety event possible." http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/043013a.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/043013a.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that pharmaceutical giant Amgen, Inc., has resolved allegations that it reported inflated pricing data for its prescription drugs Aranesp, Enbrel, Epogen, Neulasta, Neupogen, and Sensipar. The inflated pricing caused Maryland and the other settling states' Medicaid programs to overpay for those drugs. As a result of the agreement, Amgen will pay $10,945,425.00 of which Maryland will recover $295,630. A portion of that amount will be forwarded to the federal government, which funds a percentage of the Maryland Medicaid program. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/043013.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/043013.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Maureen Nkolika Hatchett, 53, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty in Baltimore City Circuit Court to one count of misdemeanor Medicaid fraud for falsely billing the Medicaid program for home health services she never provided. Retired Circuit Court Judge David Ross ordered Hatchett to pay $2,858.10 in restitution to the Maryland Medicaid program and perform 100 hours community service. Hatchett was sentenced to two years incarceration, all of which was suspended, given two years supervised probation and ordered not to work for a Medicaid provider for five years. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042913.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042913.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today announced that his Environmental Crimes Unit obtained a felony conviction against Richard Kevin Fox, Jr., of Baltimore, for improper disposal and abandonment of a controlled hazardous substance. After Fox, 40, pleaded guilty, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Emmanuel Brown issued a sentence of five years incarceration, suspending all but 18 months, and two years supervised probation. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042613.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042613.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today presented a ceremonial check for $342,750 to Mid-Shore Pro Bono Inc., that will enable will enable the legal assistance nonprofit to expand its aid and assistance to distressed homeowners in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties. The award is part of $6.2 million allocated from Attorney General Gansler's Mortgage Settlement funds, plus $2.6 million from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to expand legal services for Maryland families who face serious housing and mortgage issues. The funds will provide help to an estimated 650 Eastern Shore families. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042213b.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042213b.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that drug manufacturer Amgen Inc., has resolved allegations that it violated federal and state law by illegally compensating certain pharmacies for recommending its nephrology drug Aranesp and "switching" patients to Aranesp from a competing drug. Amgen will pay $24.9 million under this national settlement, with Maryland receiving $138,980.99 for the Maryland Medicaid Assistance Program. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042213a.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042213a.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement with Washington Home Remodelers, a College Park-based home improvement contractor, and the company's owner, Daniel Bronstein. The Division alleged that Washington Home Remodelers accessed consumers' credit records without their permission and before it established a business relationship with the consumer, in order to determine whether it would keep scheduled sales appointments. The company was also accused of failing to use licensed salespersons; under Maryland law, a person who sells home improvement services must be licensed by the Division of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The company and its owner denied they committed the alleged violations. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042213.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/042213.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is marking Earth Day 2013 with the release of his 2012 Chesapeake Bay and Maryland Watersheds Environmental Audit. The Attorney General's fifth annual report details the 2012 audits of the Youghiogheny River and Deep Creek Lake; Maryland's Coastal Bays; Wye River; and Potomac River North Branch and Savage River. For each audit, the Attorney General traveled into communities within each watershed to learn first-hand from those who know, use and cherish our State's diverse water resources. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041913.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041913.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Wilfred Azemngei Taku, 43, of Lanham, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor Medicaid Fraud for billing the Medicaid Program for services that he did not provide. Retired Court of Special Appeals Judge Andrew Sonner, sitting on the Montgomery County Circuit Court as a recalled jurist, sentenced Taku to three years incarceration, all of which was suspended. Taku was also placed on three years supervised probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,771.82, required to pay a penalty of $500, ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and refrained from working as a provider under Medicaid for a period of five years. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041813b.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041813b.html Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that A-1 Septic Services, Inc., a Pasadena septic waste and wastewater hauler, pleaded guilty to illegal water pollution discharges in the District Court for Baltimore County. The incident involved the spillage of industrial wastewater on the Frances Scott Key Memorial Bridge in January 2012. Judge Lawrence Daniels ordered the company to pay a $5,000 fine, suspending all but $2,500, to the Maryland Clean Water Fund. A-1 Septic Services was placed on three years unsupervised probation. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041813a.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041813a.html In the wake of horrific bombings this week during the Boston Marathon that has spurred an outpouring of charitable giving and generosity, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is encouraging Marylanders to research an organization's history before making contributions. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041813.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041813.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that former Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency employee Mark Barron Hantske, 59, of Lothian, has been indicted by the Grand Jury for Anne Arundel County on three counts of theft over $10,000 but less than $100,000, five counts of theft over $1,000 but less than $10,000, two counts of theft under $1,000 and one count of theft scheme over $10,000 but less than $100,000. An arraignment date has been set for May 6. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041613.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041613.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today the conclusion of a mother-daughter Medicaid fraud case that put the wellbeing of 16-month old child at risk. Gladys Muthoni Ngatia, 26, of Germantown, pleaded guilty to felony theft for submitting a series of false claims to Medicaid for services that were supposed to be provided by her mother. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Reed sentenced the defendant to 364 days incarceration, suspending all but 216 days, representing time served. Judge Reed placed Ngatia on 5 years supervised probation, ordered that she refrain from providing services under the Medicaid Program for five years, and ordered her to perform 100 hours community service. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041513.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041513.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), today announced a public education campaign created and executed by NAAG and Facebook to help teens, parents and all digital consumers manage their online privacy and personal safety. The announcement was made as Attorney General Gansler convened the second day of the NAAG Presidential Initiative Summit, a gathering of attorneys general from across the nation to examine multiple issues that fall within the 2013 NAAG Presidential Initiative, Privacy in the Digital Age. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041013.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/041013.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Securities Division has issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and an Order to Show Cause against Scott R. Steele, of Catonsville, and the companies he owns and controls. The order alleges that Steele and his firms, SteeleSoft, Inc., SteeleSoft Management, Inc., RealEasi Direct, LLC, and OfferRings Direct, LLC, are violating Maryland securities laws by offering and selling unregistered securities, acting as and employing unregistered issuer agents and engaging in fraud in the offer and sale of securities. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040913b.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040913b.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that the owner of Paddy Stump Grinding, Dennis Russell Paddy, Sr., 44, of Edgewater, was convicted on three counts of critical area violations for removing and improperly cutting dozens of trees in the expanded buffer area of residences along Bellehahn Ct. in Severna Park. Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch sentenced Paddy to perform 80 hours of community service along with 12 months probation after granting the defendant probation before judgment. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040913a.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040913a.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, joined by a bipartisan group of 34 other state and territorial attorneys general, today wrote to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and congressional leaders to convey support for federal immigration reform that improves pathways to citizenship, supports families and businesses, keeps our communities safe and protects our borders. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040913.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040913.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that former Department of Juvenile Services employee Douglas Allen Fairfax, 42, of Hagerstown, has been charged in Frederick County Circuit Court with one count of Felony Theft. An arraignment date has been set for May 3. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040513.html http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2013/040513.html Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Gloria Addison-Scott, 38, of Baltimore, has been indicted by the Grand Jury for Baltimore City and charged with one count each of Felony Medicaid Fraud and Felony Theft of over $10,000. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/index.htm http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/index.htm