Healthy and Safe Communities

The Sexually Violent Predator Unit (SVPU) protects the public by ensuring that the most dangerous and violent sexual predators in the state are detained, evaluated, and treated until they no longer meet Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) criteria. When a sexual offender is about to be released from confinement and appears to meet SVP criteria, the SVPU acts as the prosecuting agency to classify them as a SVP resulting in Civil commitment. Once committed, the SVPU oversees the extensive post-commitment responsibilities to ensure that SVPs are not being released before being rehabilitated. These responsibilities include appeals, annual reviews, less restrictive alternative placements, and re-commitment hearings and trials.

Administrative functions of the AGO includes the Attorney General’s Core Leadership Team, the Solicitor General, executive support, financial services, human resources, IT services, and facilities staff. An administrative function of the AGO is the Solicitor General’s issuance of Attorney General Opinions, which answer questions from members of the state Legislature, state elected officials, appointed heads of state agencies, boards and commissions, and county prosecuting attorneys. AGO opinions clarify the interpretation of statutes and regulations when the meaning is in doubt.

The Criminal Litigation Unit (CLU) investigates and prosecutes all levels of criminal cases when requested by the Governor or county prosecuting attorneys. The types of cases commonly handled by the CLU include homicide, sexual assault, multi-jurisdictional crime, white-collar crime, governmental corruption cases, environmental crimes, tax fraud cases on behalf of the Department of Revenue, licensing fraud on behalf of the Department of Licensing, insurance fraud on behalf of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and fraudulent workers’ compensation claims and wage and hour violations on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries. The CLU assists local prosecutors when they have a conflict of interest or need additional resources for major prosecutions. The CLU occasionally assumes responsibility for the appellate review of a criminal case that were originally brought by a county prosecutor if the case involves fundamental issues affecting the public interest and the administration of justice.

The AGO’s Antitrust Division (ANT) division protects the residents of Washington State from price-fixing, illegal mergers, monopolization, and other illegal, anticompetitive activities. ANT holds entities accountable when they break the law and engage in unfair competition, and ensures that consumers benefit from a competitive marketplace. By enforcing antitrust laws, ANT ensures that businesses compete fairly with each other. ANT files enforcement actions, responds to consumer complaints, provides advice to state agencies, and provides consumer education and outreach. Through these efforts, ANT ensures that consumers’ problems are addressed, money overpaid due to illegal activity is recovered, illegal activity is prevented, and businesses are educated about their responsibilities under the antitrust laws.

The AGO’s Consumer Protection Division (CPR) protects Washington consumers from deception, scams, and abusive practices. CPR provides a fair marketplace through vigorous civil law enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) including education and outreach to consumers. CPR’s Consumer Resource Center fields calls and complaints from consumers around the state, informally resolving complaints and recovering millions of dollars for consumers. CPR attorneys promote compliance with the CPA by obtaining injunctions and monetary judgments against violators including direct consumer restitution. CPR’s Foreclosure Compliance Program enforces the Foreclosure Fairness Act to help homeowners. CPR also houses the Lemon Law program which promotes timely and effective new motor vehicle warranty service through mandatory arbitration. CPR’s Manufactured House Dispute Resolution Unit fosters compliance with the Manufactured Housing Landlord Tennant Act.

The Homicide Investigation Tracking System (HITS) system provides assistance to law enforcement by providing them with greater access to information, advice, and assistance resulting in enhanced and speedier investigation of violent crimes. As a result, suspects are pursued more quickly leading to better public protections.

The Executive Ethics Board (EEB) is an independent board with five members appointed by the Governor. The EEB promotes integrity, confidence, and public trust in state government through education, interpretation, and enforcement of the Ethics in compliance with the Public Service Act (Act). The AGO provides staff and administrative support for the EEB. EEB members meet on a regular basis to interpret the Act for all state agencies, provide advice to agencies regarding ethical issues, promulgate rules to implement the Act, and take enforcement action against state employees who violate the Act. EEB staff investigate complaints filed by public employees and citizens, provide ethics training to state agencies, and provide advice regarding ethics in the workplace. Ethics training enables state officers and employees to perform their public responsibilities and conduct the business of the state appropriately.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) is federally mandated and 75% federally funded for this investigative and prosecutorial unit staffed by Attorneys, Auditors, Investigators, Paralegals and support personnel. MFCU’s mission is to protect patients and taxpayers through civil (including qui tam action) and criminal law enforcement. MFCU investigates and prosecutes fraud by health care providers that illegally divert Medicaid funds. These enforcement efforts curtail and deter similar criminal activity and lead to recoveries for the state and federal government. MFCU also prosecutes the abuse and neglect of residents in Medicaid-funded facilities. MFCU provides valuable assistance to local law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting crimes committed against vulnerable adults. MFCU helps coordinate the efforts of local vulnerable adult task forces, enforces the law, holds criminals accountable, increases public safety, deters fraud, and recovers money for the state. The addition of the Medicaid False Claims Act (FCA) in 2012 allows whistleblower qui tam actions. This increases MFCU’s capacity to aggressively combat fraud through civil and criminal means, benefits our state by expanding the AGO’s capacity to address fraud, neglect and abuse. This is essential as more Washingtonians become eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and as more people are entering the long-term care system.

By providing high quality legal assistance and representation to Washington’s state agencies, boards, and commissions, the AGO improves government services, increases government efficiency, and prevents costly lawsuits. The legal services provided by the AGO saves taxpayer dollars, promotes the public interest, and ensures agencies are able to fulfill their essential missions. The AGO offers excellent, option-based legal advice to help the state promote the public good. In the litigation context, the AGO initiates, defends, and resolves cases effectively and efficiently for the benefit of the state, its agencies, and its citizens.

The AGO’s Public Counsel Unit (PCU) represents residential and small business customers (ratepayers) of electric, natural gas, and telecommunications utilities regulated by the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC). PCU advocates on behalf of customers in UTC cases involving utility rates, mergers, energy efficiency programs, service quality, and other policy matters. PCU investigates company requests and retains experts to analyze areas such as accounting, economics, finance, engineering, rate spread/rate design, and service quality. In a rate case or merger evidentiary hearings, PCU will cross-examine other parties’ expert witnesses, present its own witnesses, and file legal briefs. In addition to participating as a statutory party in major rate and merger cases, PCU may also present policy recommendations in UTC rulemakings or at bi-weekly UTC business meetings. PCU participates in technical policy and advisory groups, and may provide information to the Legislature and other policymakers.

The AGO is committed to making our communities safer, and to support those who provide direct services to victims of crime, increase quality services for victims of crime in Washington State, protect victims' rights, and enhance public awareness. All Washingtonians have the right to fairness, dignity and respect.