News Releases

(DAYTON, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Dayton City Manager Tim Riordan today announced that they have filed a lawsuit against a property owner whose property was damaged by fire in March of 2010 and subsequently demolished by the city of Dayton. The lawsuit seeks to reimburse the city for costs associated with the property on 1509-1511 Viola Avenue.

"The Ohio Attorney General's Office has designated significant resources from the National Mortgage Settlement to combat the blight of abandoned houses across Ohio," said Attorney General DeWine. "However, not all abandoned properties are the result of the housing crisis or banking practices. There are occasionally egregious cases where negligent property owners have contributed to this problem and should be held liable for the demolition costs, instead of their neighbors and fellow taxpayers.  We want to help cities recoup these costs and will help them go after these negligent owners in any way we can."

(CLEVELAND) - Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit today against Weather Guard Exteriors, a roof installation and home repair company, and owner/operator Justin R. Ward, of Canton. The complaint alleges that Ward accepted payment from consumers but failed to deliver any materials or services and did not provide refunds.

"It's vital that consumers get what they pay for," said Attorney General DeWine. "This is especially important when it is a matter of families trying to care for their homes and giving their loved ones a safe place to live."

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Newark Mayor Jeff Hall, and Newark Law Director Douglas Sassen today announced that lawsuits have been filed against two property owners whose homes fell into disrepair and were subsequently demolished by the City of Newark. The lawsuit seeks to reimburse the City for costs associated with three properties on Elmwood Street which were recently demolished.

(CLEVELAND) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against Phillip J. Pierce, a Cleveland man who ran a website called Automeds.com. The lawsuit accuses Pierce of taking money for auto parts he never delivered.

"Dozens of consumers nationwide have reported problems with this business," DeWine said. "We are taking action to seek justice for the consumers who have been harmed and to prevent others from being harmed in the future."

This morning, Jackson County Common Pleas Judge Leonard Holzapfel sentenced Christopher Haines, 31, to nearly five years in prison for the death of 10-year-old Angel McGinnis.

Jennifer Burgette and Curtis Francis were murdered nearly six years ago on December 9, 2006.

The restitution order came today after a judge granted Martha Springer, 64, intervention in lieu of conviction on a fourth degree felony charge of embezzlement. 

The cameras activate when motion is detected near the vehicle.  The equipment then sends a live feed of the crime-in-progress to law enforcement.

Nathaniel Thornton, 31, is a sexually oriented offender who was convicted of the rape of a juvenile male in 2001. 

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warns consumers to be wary of last-minute ticket sales to big games or events.

“Ohioans have been continually scammed by online ticket sellers,” said Attorney General DeWine. “We want to remind Ohioans to be careful when purchasing tickets online from third party vendors or online market places.”