News Releases

(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.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency praised the contempt order signed recently against Joseph G. Scugoza, Crossridge Landfill, and C&D Disposal Technologies immediately granting the State a $19 million judgment for stipulated penalties regarding ongoing violations at the Crossridge Landfill in Jefferson County.
 
After an Oct. 4 hearing in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court, the companies and Scugoza, who controls the companies, were found in contempt of a 2003 judicial order that the Crossridge Solid Waste Landfill was to be capped and closed and, among other provisions, a ground water monitoring plan be implemented.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Attorney General Mike DeWine joins the Better Business Bureau in recognizing National Protect Your Identity Week by urging Ohioans to guard their personal information. DeWine also reminded those who may be victims of identity theft that he has started an Identity Theft Unit located within the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section to offer assistance to victims.

"There are many threats to keeping our personal information safe," said Attorney General DeWine. "But there are steps we can take to help protect ourselves."

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine along with Prevent Blindness Ohio and the Ohio Optical Dispensers Board are warning consumers about the dangers of over-the-counter sales of decorative contact lenses during this Halloween season. According to the Optical Dispensers Board, the number of consumer complaints filed regarding the illegal sale of cosmetic contact lenses and the number of resulting cease and desist orders issued to violating businesses have shown a steady increase after a period of decline, not only during the Halloween season, but all year long.
 
In fiscal year 2009, the Optical Dispensers Board issued 13 cease and desist orders based on consumer complaints. In fiscal years 2010 and 2011, 12 and 16, respectively, such orders were issued. In the fiscal year 2012 (starting July 1, 2011), 15 cease and desist orders were issued.