News Releases

(LEBANON, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine and Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said that Rebecca L. Green (formerly Butcher), 51, a former Warren County Department of Human Services supervisor, pled guilty today to three counts of Theft in Office and two counts of Tampering with Records.

"We are focused on protecting Ohioans from corruption," said Attorney General DeWine. "By rallying the resources of my office and working with local and federal law enforcement, we will continue to work hard to see that those eligible for care receive it and taxpayer money is not stolen."

Attorney General Mike DeWine and Greene County Prosecutor Stephen K. Haller said Jason Johnson, the third of three individuals charged in a tree-trimming scam that targeted the elderly in Greene, Franklin, Butler, and Montgomery counties, was sentenced today to eight years in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $31,307. The case represents a collaboration of the Attorney General's Office Economic Crimes Division, the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney, and other law enforcement agencies.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Miami County Prosecutor Gary Nasal today announced felony charges against 18 suspects accused of running a telemarketing fraud ring from Ohio and Florida that has stolen millions of dollars from thousands of victims in 41 states since 2007. Thirteen of the suspects have been taken into custody in Ohio, Florida, Indiana, and New York. Those from out of state will be extradited to Ohio.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen K. Haller announced today the indictment of three individuals for engaging in a tree-trimming theft operation that targeted elderly victims in Greene, Butler, Franklin, and Montgomery Counties. The indictments were the result of a collaborative effort of the Attorney General, the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney, and other law enforcement agencies.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro announced today that four legal templates for contracts have been developed for use by Ohio's colleges and universities when partnering with private industry on research and commercial projects.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and 11 other state attorneys general today announced an agreement with US Fidelis, a vehicle service contract dealer that routinely misled consumers before shutting down and filing for bankruptcy in 2010. The agreement, which has been approved by the bankruptcy court, provides $13 million in consumer restitution as well as injunctive relief. This settlement, along with a prior settlement with the service contract obligor Warrantech, creates a $14.1 million Consumer Restitution Fund.

"This was a complex case. We knew that if it continued to drag on among all the intertwined parties, there would be no money left for consumers. We worked hard to negotiate this settlement, which wraps up the case and provides relief for consumers. It also serves as a warning that businesses cannot hide in bankruptcy court. If they fail to fulfill their obligations to consumers, we will go after them," said Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated the murder conviction for Archie Dixon, a Toledo-area killer.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit had set aside conviction, ruling that police had violated Miranda v. Arizona when they obtained a murder confession from Dixon.

A hearing examiner today issued a recommendation that the medical license of Dr. James E. Lundeen Sr. be permanently revoked. The hearing examiner found that Lundeen was overprescribing medication to patients at his offices in Portsmouth and Plymouth. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's Office has been involved in the investigation and represented the Ohio State Medical Board at the license hearing.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned users of Sony's PlayStation Network and Qriocity to monitor their bank accounts and to watch for email scams in the wake of the announcement from Sony Computer Entertainment of America that user account information was compromised.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) –   During Older Americans Month in May, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning Ohio senior citizens to be cautious of job opportunity scams that could cost them thousands of dollars.