News Releases

(CINCINNATI) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against Ryan Zimmerman, Consumer Advocates Group Experts, LLC, and Advocates for Consumer Affairs Experts, LLC for violations of Ohio's consumer laws, including failure to deliver and failure to provide refunds for home loan modification assistance. DeWine seeks consumer restitution, injunctive relief, and civil penalties.
 
"In these difficult economic times, it is reprehensible for a company to target struggling consumers, take their money, and provide no assistance," DeWine said. "My office won't stand by and allow companies like these to prey on vulnerable Ohioans by promising help and delivering nothing."

Larry Carlton, 29, was convicted of Gross Sexual Imposition in 2002.  The offense happened in Toledo where his victim was a juvenile female.  Carlton is required to register his address with authorities once a year for at least twenty years.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Senior Solutions of Ohio, of  Centerburg, and owner/operator Willis Smith, of Howard. The business claimed to help families with Medicaid eligibility but failed to provide any services after accepting payment, according to the lawsuit.

"Not providing services paid for and not responding to subsequent consumers' inquiries is simply not acceptable," said Attorney General DeWine. "We will continue to go after businesses that operate this way."

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - As the massive storm hitting the eastern U.S. continues, Attorney General Mike DeWine urges Ohioans to be cautious when responding to requests for donations to help those in harm's way.

"We naturally want to reach out and help those who face such powerful and deadly storms, and I encourage those who can to do so," said Attorney General DeWine. "But please be careful. Unfortunately, there are some who might use our generous nature to take the donations for themselves, not for those in need."

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the recovery of $2.14 million for the faulty metal roofing used in the construction of the Ohio Department of Transportation's District Headquarters in Tuscarawas County. The jury verdict on Oct. 23 is against Butler Manufacturing, of Kansas City, Mo., the supplier of the roofing materials.

"This is a substantial recovery for the state," said Attorney General DeWine. "Just as we work to protect consumers from harm, we are also working hard to make sure state agencies and taxpayers are treated fairly and responsibly."

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today honored more than 100 law enforcement officers, dispatchers, prosecutors, and clerks for their outstanding efforts to protect Ohioans and save lives.

The awards were presented during the second and final day of the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Conference in Columbus. 

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that Ohio has joined with other states and the federal government to settle allegations that Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI) paid kickbacks and engaged in off-label marketing campaigns that improperly promoted four drugs: Atrovent, Combivent, Micardis and Aggrenox. 

BIPI, a Connecticut based company, will pay the states and the federal government $95 million, of which $34,468,649.22 will go to the Medicaid programs to resolve civil allegations that the company unlawfully marketed Aggrenox, Combivent, Atrovent and Micardis and thereby caused false claims to be submitted to the government health care programs.

Peace officers will now have access to state-of-the-art training through the new "Mobile Academy" program offered by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).  The academy features tactical firearm and driving simulators to help officers prepare for high risk situations.

(CLEVELAND, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today filed a lawsuit against American Hearing Centers Network LLC, Southland Hearing Center, and owners Joseph Boles and Jeffrey Jones. The lawsuit charges the Parma Heights hearing aid operations with multiple violations of Ohio consumer law, including misrepresenting products and services to older Ohioans.

"We are committed to protecting Ohio's families from unfair business practices, especially those that target older Ohioans," Attorney General DeWine said. "These businesses routinely misled consumers, offering 'free' hearing aids then charging consumers thousands of dollars. They even sent a letter announcing a 'three-million dollar stimulus package' for Ohio, giving consumers the false impression that it was associated with the government."

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today joined Newark Mayor Jeff Hall and other Licking County Officials at the demolition of an abandoned house made possible by a grant from his Demolition Grant Program. The property at 101 Chestnut Street in Newark is one of many properties in Ohio which have been demolished through efforts by local communities and the Attorney General's Demolition Grant Program.