WA Attorney General News Releases

Live Nation Found Liable for Illegal Monopolization, All Counts

A Washington jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on all counts for illegal monopolization of the live entertainment and ticketing markets. The jury found the company unlawfully maintained monopoly power through exclusionary conduct and illegally tied venues to concert promotion services. The case will proceed to a remedies phase where the court will determine what relief to impose on the defendants.

AG Brown Joins Coalition Urging FTC Rulemaking on Rental Housing Fees

Washington AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan coalition of 27 state attorneys general filing a comment letter with the FTC supporting proposed rulemaking on hidden and deceptive rental housing fee practices. The coalition recommends that any federal rule require clear disclosure of total housing costs including mandatory fees, prohibit deceptive rental fee practices, and establish minimum federal transparency standards while preserving state authority to regulate landlord-tenant relationships.

Renton Collections to Provide $1.5M Medical Debt Relief Under Consent Decree

The Washington Attorney General's Office obtained a consent decree against debt collection agency Renton Collections Inc. requiring $1.5 million in medical debt relief for approximately 400,000 Washingtonians. The settlement resolves allegations that RCI violated the Collection Agency Act and Consumer Protection Act by failing to disclose consumers' rights regarding medical debt. The consent decree bars RCI from collecting fees, costs, or interest on the disputed medical debt and requires inclusion of required disclosure language in future collection notices.

AG Brown Opposes NW Natural 19% Rate Hike

The Washington State Attorney General's Public Counsel Unit filed expert testimony with the Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) opposing Northwest Natural Gas Company's proposed $36.5 million rate increase, which would raise rates by 19% for 90,000 households in the Vancouver area starting August 2026. The AG argues the 9.5% return on equity is unjustifiably high and calculated using an outdated methodology, urging the UTC to reject the settlement agreement.

Consumer Alert: Investment Scams Proliferate on Meta Platforms

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown issued a consumer alert warning Washingtonians about fraudulent investment schemes on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). The alert describes pump-and-dump scams, confidence scams, and cryptocurrency fraud using deepfake technology and unauthorized celebrity endorsements. AG Brown was one of 42 state AGs who previously urged Meta to address scam advertisements.

Washington sues EPA over mercury emissions rollback

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown joined a multistate coalition filing federal lawsuit against the EPA challenging the repeal of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The coalition argues the EPA violated the Administrative Procedure Act by reverting to 2012 emission standards without providing a reasoned basis or adequately considering technological developments. The lawsuit seeks reversal of the rollback affecting emissions of mercury, arsenic, lead, and other toxic pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

Washington Sues Kalshi for Illegal Online Betting

The Washington Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Kalshi, an online platform accused of facilitating illegal gambling by allowing users to bet on sports, elections, and other events. The suit seeks to halt these operations, recover funds lost by Washington residents, and impose civil penalties.

Washington Sues USDA Over Unconstitutional Funding Conditions

Washington State, joined by 20 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The suit challenges new, allegedly unconstitutional funding conditions imposed by the USDA on billions of dollars in critical program funding, including SNAP and WIC. The states argue these conditions related to immigration, DEI, and gender identity are vague, coercive, and exceed the agency's statutory authority.

Washington AG Wins Summary Judgment Protecting Transgender Youth Healthcare

Washington State and 20 other states, along with the District of Columbia, won a summary judgment against a Trump administration attempt to pressure healthcare providers into ending transgender youth healthcare. A federal court ruled that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. exceeded his statutory authority and failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures.

Washington AG Joins Lawsuit Challenging EPA's Rescission of Endangerment Finding

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown joined a coalition of 24 states, DC, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 12 cities and counties in challenging the EPA's rescission of its 2009 Endangerment Finding. This finding determined that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles contribute to climate change and endanger public health. The lawsuit opposes the EPA's rollback of vehicle greenhouse gas standards.