News Releases

(CLEVELAND) – On the first annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Ohio, Attorney General Mike DeWine joined Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) to officially announce a bill that could significantly help victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation.

If passed, the Ohio Elder Justice Act, sponsored by Dovilla, will update current law to improve the response to elder abuse victims by strengthening Adult Protective Services in Ohio.  Dovilla worked closely with Attorney General DeWine's Elder Abuse Commission to draft the proposed legislation.

The bill, which would increase penalties for perpetrators of human trafficking and increase help available for victims, is now on its way to Governor John Kasich for his signature.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine reminded Ohioans today that they may be able to obtain partial refunds if they purchased Skechers-brand rocker-bottom shoes. Last month, Attorney General DeWine announced that Ohio was part of a federal and 44-state settlement with Skechers to resolve claims that it overstated weight-loss benefits in advertisements for its Shape-ups, Tone-ups, and Skechers Resistance Runner shoes.

“Skechers told consumers about certain supposed health benefits of these shoes but an investigation by Ohio and other states found these claims to be lacking,” said Attorney General DeWine. “This settlement is a chance for consumers to get back some of their money.”

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has joined attorneys general from 40 states and the District of Columbia in filing a brief with the District of Columbia Court of Appeals defending the constitutionality of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine said today that new state legislation now effective bans any new openings of electronic sweepstakes establishments, commonly called Internet cafes. It also places filing requirements on any Internet cafes operating as of today.

“These places have popped up across Ohio and they have been unregulated,” said Attorney General DeWine. “This is a step in the right direction toward protecting Ohioans who play these games.”

Agents in the Health Care Fraud Division of the Ohio Attorney General's Office said Rose Radovanic, who pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft by deception, hired the home health aides, despite their criminal convictions, because they signed up elderly family members or friends to become clients of the company

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that his office is hosting regional community fraud forums this summer to discuss how Ohioans can work together to fight fraud. The announcement comes on the same day that Ohio's new cyber fraud law takes effect. The law gives the Attorney General new tools to help local prosecutors fight economic crimes.
 
"We are committed to working collaboratively with local communities to protect Ohio families," DeWine said. "The forums are an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about how best to work together. We appreciate the new tools the legislature has given us to better help local prosecutors, and now we have to determine how to put those and other tools to good use."

(AKRON, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against Regency Windows Corporation for violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act by failing to deliver promised services. The Twinsburg-based window seller abruptly closed its doors in January, leaving many consumers with unfulfilled contracts.
 
“Our primary goal is to help consumers get their money back,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Regency Windows knew it was in trouble financially, but it continued to enter into contracts just weeks and even days before it closed. Consumers lost a lot of money and are upset for good reason.”

The law creating an Ohio Blue Alert system officially went into effect today. Similar to an AMBER Alert, a Blue Alert will rapidly broadcast information to the public advising them of an at-large suspect who has killed, seriously injured, or kidnapped an Ohio peace officer.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today a lawsuit against Platinum Protection, a home-security company. The lawsuit follows dozens of consumer complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office against the company for alleged misrepresentation of the cost of system installation, the cost of monthly monitoring, and the duration of the monitoring contract, among other complaints. Consumer losses range from $40 to $2,200.