AUGUSTA ? With federal officials expecting record breaking oil prices this year, Attorney General William J. Schneider urges consumers to educate and protect themselves.

Starting every October, the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides pricing information through the State Heating Oil and Propane Program, a weekly joint data collection effort between EIA and states in the Northeast and Midwest for the winter season.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Alan Harding, 58, of Presque Isle was convicted following his no contest plea on all counts in a 12 count complaint charging Failure to Make and File Maine Income Tax Returns and Failure to Pay Maine Income Tax for tax years 2004 through 2009.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William Schneider announced that Tammy Barker, age 43, of Holden, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for misappropriating funds from the sales of 17 mobile homes entrusted to her on consignment from 2005 through 2006. Barker, who was formerly known as Tammy Sproul, took the money in connection with her operation of Sproul?s Home Center in Holden. The State alleged that she stole over $400,000 over an 18 month period and that she used the proceeds to gamble at Hollywood Slots.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that Maine reached an agreement with Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. (Maxim) to resolve allegations that it defrauded the Medicaid and Veterans Affairs health care benefits programs. The settlement will return $71,994 state only funds to the MaineCare program.

Maxim, one of the nation?s largest health care staffing agencies, has over 300 offices in more than 40 states, including Maine. The company provides in-home nursing and health aide services to patients with disabilities.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that a sales agent of hunting and fishing licenses for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will serve 30 days in jail for misappropriating license fees that were supposed to be turned over to IF&W.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that the Superior Court in Kennebec County upheld Maine?s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) in the face of constitutional challenges.

In a 70-page decision, the Superior Court rejected claims that SORNA is an unconstitutional ex post facto law; is void for vagueness; violates procedural and substantive due process; or is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. The court went on to reject Plaintiffs? argument that SORNA violated the Declaration of Rights in Maine?s Constitution.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that Maine reached an agreement with Texas debt settlement company Credit Solutions of America, Inc. (CSA) and its owner Douglas Van Arsdale to settle allegations of unfair trade practices. (View Consent Judgment)

After two days of trial that began July 18th, CSA agreed to enter into a consent judgment to resolve claims that they violated the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act with an advance fee debt settlement scheme.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that Brian Bartley, 59, of Kennebunkport, was convicted on all counts in a 20 count indictment that included charges of theft of sales tax, income tax evasion, theft by deception and unemployment fraud.

AUGUSTA ? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products announced an agreement with the state of Maine to assure compliance with federal laws surrounding the sale and distribution of tobacco to minors.

AUGUSTA ?Maine Attorney General William Schneider, along with 37 other attorneys general, reached a $40.75 million settlement with drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, LLC (GSK) and SB Pharmco Puerto Rico, Inc. (SB) arising from allegations that the companies used substandard manufacturing processes at their plant in Cidra, Puerto Rico. The settlement includes $585,127 for Maine.