Announcements, information and updates from CWAG Members and Associates
The CWAG 2018 Chair's Initiative is scheduled for May 3-4, 2018  in Scottsdale, Arizona. Registration is now open.  If you have not received an email link inviting you to register via our new meeting portal, please contact meeting manager  Alejandra Stephens. 

For a list of our upcoming events please visit our  CWAG Events Calendar
SYMPOSIUM HONORING SLADE GORTON
In honor of Senator Slade Gorton's lifetime of service to the people of Washington State and to celebrate Senator Gorton's 90th birthday, the Washington State Attorney General's Office and the University of Washington School of Law are hosting a symposium to highlight the Senator's three terms as Washington State Attorney General. John Hughes, Senator Gorton's biographer, will interview the Senator, covering his long career in politics. Legal scholars will discuss Senator Gorton's tenure as Washington State Attorney General, during which time he argued fourteen cases in front of the US Supreme Court. Attorney General Bob Ferguson and former Attorney General Rob McKenna will join Senator Gorton for a panel discussion on their experiences serving as Washington State Attorney General. The Symposium will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018, 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm, at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle. Details and registration at: http://events.uw.edu/gortonsymp
FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
CWAG Attorney General Tim Fox of Montana , in partnership with Georgia non-profit organization Street Grace and the Montana Broadcasters Association, announced his agency's participation in the child sex trafficking awareness public service announcement campaign, "Demand an End." Statistics released earlier this year by the Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation show the number of juvenile human trafficking victims rescued here between 2015 and 2016 increased by 400%. "The demand for child sex trafficking is ever-present across our country, including during the holiday season.  Montana is no different," said Attorney General Fox. "While our ongoing outreach efforts regarding human trafficking have resulted in greater public awareness, this time, we want to direct our message toward the purchasers of sexually exploited children and demand an end to their victimization of our young people."  
FIGHTING OPIOID ABUSE
CWAG Attorney General Bob Ferguson of Washington released a report recommending specific policies to reduce the supply of opioids in Washington state. The report recommends a comprehensive approach to the problem, addressing prevention, treatment and enforcement. Ferguson is also unveiling three opioid-related bills he will take to the Legislature in January. The Attorney General's Office, Washington State Patrol and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys developed the report based on information shared at the Summit on Reducing the Supply of Opioids in Washington State in June 2017. "The opioid epidemic is devastating Washington families," Attorney General Ferguson said. "This report makes it clear we have a crisis, and provides concrete, evidence-based solutions. I am proposing some of these common-sense changes as legislation in the upcoming session, including limiting new opioid prescriptions and using the existing Prescription Monitoring Program to empower providers with a more complete picture of their patients' history before writing new prescriptions. It is time for the Legislature to take action."
 
CWAG Associate Attorney General Brad Schimel of Wisconsin announced the official collection numbers for October's Drug Take Back events reached 63,941 lbs. of unused medications, the largest fall drug take back collection to date. Once again, Wisconsin had more law enforcement agencies participate in the biannual event than any other state in the country. The Wisconsin Department of Justice was also recognized by Madison Media Professionals with three WAVE awards for "Drugged Driving: One and the Same," a drugged driving prevention ad DOJ produced jointly with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as part of the ongoing Dose of Reality campaign to end prescription painkiller abuse in Wisconsin. "The message that prescription painkillers can be deadly has spread throughout our state and folks have been taking action to remove these drugs from their medicine cabinets in order to safely dispose of them," said Attorney General Schimel. "The recognition we recently received from Madison Media Professionals for the Dose of Reality campaign reinforces the fact that our message is educational and causing folks to take action."
FIGHTING PUBLIC CORRUPTION
CWAG Attorney General Hector Balderas of New Mexico announced that a Santa Fe jury found former Senator Phil Griego guilty on five counts in the corruption trial prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General. After a two and half week trial, the jury found Griego guilty of Violation of Ethical Principles of Public Service, Violation of Ethical Principles of Public Service (Requesting or Receiving Thing of Value), Bribery, Fraud (Over $20,000), and Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract (Over $50). The case involves the 2014 sale of a state-owned building in downtown Santa Fe wherein Griego received a $50,000.00 commission. "Holding the powerful accountable is how we ensure our government truly serves the citizens of New Mexico and that no one is above the law, regardless of their political status," said Attorney General Balderas. "Public officials are elected to do the work of the people, not to enrich themselves from their official duties while New Mexicans struggle just to get by. New Mexico families deserve the highest level of ethics and service from their elected officials." 
NET NEUTRALITY
Federal regulators are expected to unveil their plans for reversing rules that require internet-service providers to treat all web traffic equally, a move that could fundamentally reshape the internet economy and consumers' online experience. The changes, expected to be adopted at the Federal Communications Commission meeting in mid-December, would open the door to a wide range of new opportunities for internet providers, such as forming alliances with content firms to serve up their webpages or video at higher speeds and quality than those without such deals. Such "paid prioritization" was explicitly blocked under the 2015 rules, which required internet service providers to keep all corners of the internet equally accessible to consumers, and limited the providers' ability to favor content, including their own.
PRIVACY
CWAG Associate Attorney General George Jepsen of Connecticut announced that he has named Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Pearlman as head of his office's Privacy and Data Security Department. As department head, Pearlman will oversee all investigations, multistate work and litigation within the office involving data privacy and security matters, including new and pending data breach investigations. Attorney General Jepsen said, "Jeremy Pearlman has distinguished himself with his thoughtfulness, his excellent judgment and his superb ability to manage complex legal matters. Connecticut is a national leader in investigating data breaches and other privacy issues, and I have every confidence that Jeremy's extensive experience will serve our office and the state well as the leader of our privacy enforcement efforts."
 
CWAG Associate Attorney General Tom Miller of Iowa applauded the Federal Communications Commission's move that clears the way for phone companies to block certain types of calls that are likely fraudulent, which is the top consumer complaint in Iowa and nationwide. The FCC approved new rules that allow telecommunications providers to block robocalls that appear to be from telephone numbers that do not or cannot make outgoing calls, without running afoul of the FCC's call completion rules. "This is something that I, along with my colleagues in other states, loudly and clearly asked the FCC to do, and I'm really pleased the Commission listened," Attorney General Miller said. "Iowans call our office every single day to complain about these fraudulent calls they get every day," Miller added. "Thousands and thousands of Iowans have been scammed out of money because their caller ID display backed up what the caller told them-for example, that the IRS was on the line and they owed money."
CONSUMER PROTECTION 
CWAG Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota has issued a Cease & Desist order against an out of state moving company operating under several business names, for violations of the state's consumer fraud laws. All in the Family Moving & Storage NE, Inc., also does business as Able Moving & Storage, Inc., and Majestic Movers, Inc., and lists business addresses in Illinois and New York. The consumer protection division initiated an investigation after a consumer complained that the company refused to deliver her household goods to her new address in North Dakota unless she paid an additional amount that was significantly more than the contract.  The Cease & Desist order prohibits the company, and all its known business names, from providing moving services in North Dakota, including intrastate moving services to or from other states. "When hiring someone to move your household belongings, carefully research companies and ask for references to avoid any surcharges, storage fees, or undisclosed charges," Attorney General Stenehjem said. "Before you trust your prized or expensive belongings to a mover, you should have as much information as possible in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises."
MARIJUANA
Former Ohio Attorney General and Auditor Betty Montgomery has been appointed by Gov. John Kasich to the State Medical Board at a time when the panel is wading into new territory with doctors recommending medical marijuana. The former Wood County senator, now living in Columbus, will serve through July 31, 2022. The 12-member board of physicians and non-physicians regulates medical professionals and next year will begin licensing physicians who will recommend the use of medical marijuana for their patients.
 
CWAG Attorney General Marty Jackley of South Dakota announced that Jonathan Hunt of Colorado has been sentenced for his role in the Flandreau marijuana grow case. He received a suspended imposition of sentence on one count of conspiracy to possess more than one-half pound but less than one pound of marijuana. Hunt was ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs. "Jonathan Hunt has been sentenced for his role in the Flandreau marijuana grow case. A marijuana resort is a violation of both state and federal law that would create public health and safety issues across South Dakota," said Attorney General Jackley.
 
CWAG Associate Attorney General Curtis Hill of Indiana issued a statement regarding marijuana in Indiana. His statement read, in part: "Over recent weeks, I've worked with my staff to develop an advisory opinion regarding the status under Indiana law of the chemical compound cannabidiol - better known as 'CBD.' Cannabidiol is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, otherwise known as marijuana. This issue has drawn public attention this year following law-enforcement actions against Indiana stores marketing and selling 'CBD oil,' a substance delivered to consumers in dropper bottles, sprays or mists - all generally to be taken orally. My task at this juncture is not to express my personal view of what I believe the law ought to stipulate. My task, rather, is to help provide clarity regarding what the law already says as written. There is no doubt, as a matter of legal interpretation, that products or substances marketed generally for human consumption or ingestion, and containing cannabidiol, remain unlawful in Indiana as well as under federal law."
Chris Coppin | Legal Director
Conference of Western Attorneys General