Consumers across southern and central Maine are reporting that they are receiving phone messages, purportedly from Visa, that indicate the consumer has reached the limit on their credit card and they must call an eight hundred (800) number to avoid paying an overcharge penalty.
Attorney General Steve Rowe announced that the Maine Superior Court has ordered five defendants (David Townsend, Nicholas James, Adam Casey, Sean McArthur and a juvenile) to stay away from five Native American residents of Indian Township, and to refrain from future violations of the Maine Civil Rights Act.
Today, the Penobscot County Superior Court sentenced Peter Tuller, 37, to life in prison for the murder of Michael Demmons. On June 25, 2006 Tuller beat Demmons to death in a Bangor apartment. The State was asking for a life sentence.
Attorney General Steve Rowe announced today that the hours of operation for the Attorney General?s Consumer Mediation and Information phone line (Consumer Line) have been expanded. The toll free line, (800) 436-2131, will now be open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On seven consecutive Thursday evenings during the fall of 2007, the Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care worked in partnership with Maine?s Office of the Attorney General to host a series of Town Hall Meetings across the state. At each of these public meetings, Attorney General Steve Rowe moderated lively and informative discussions about end-of-life care in Maine. Local panelists and community members in each region were encouraged to engage in dialogue with each other and offer testimony about their respective experiences as healthcare consumers.
Today, Attorney General Steve Rowe announced two recent convictions involving persons who were defrauding the State?s Tax and Rent Refund program, commonly known as the Circuit Breaker Program. The program is administered by Maine Revenue Services and provides tax relief to eligible Maine residents by granting a partial refund for real estate taxes or rent paid during the tax year.
Attorney General Steve Rowe will kick off Family Crisis Service?s fundraising event on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 9:00AM. The event will take place at Shawnee Peak Ski Area in Bridgton, ME. Rowe will give opening remarks at Ski to End DV day. The non-profit agency?s mission is to end domestic violence in Cumberland and Sagadahoc Counties in Maine, and it will receive 10% of Shawnee Peak?s daytime lift revenues as part of that business?s ?Non-profit Thursdays? program.
Today, Attorney General Steve Rowe urged the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to take immediate action to investigate allegations that Sparks and Sparks Plus alcoholic energy drinks contain unsafe levels of caffeine. The letter also requests TTB to determine if the alcohol content in Sparks alcoholic energy drink is higher than the 6.0% alcohol by volume disclosed on the label. Attorney General Rowe is joined by 15 attorneys general in calling for this action.
Today, Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe called upon Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins to reject any amendment to the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that would hamper the Maine Public Utility Commission?s (PUC) ability to protect the privacy rights of telephone subscribers in Maine. This week, the United States Senate is expected to take up amendments to FISA, including provisions that would give amnesty to telephone companies that may have illegally turned over their customers? records to the National Security Agency (NSA).
Today Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe announced that he is joining a lawsuit against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to uphold the right of states to regulate greenhouse gas pollution from automobiles. Maine is part of a 15-state coalition appealing the EPA?s December 19, 2007 denial of California?s request for a waiver. The denial prevents Maine from implementing greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars.