As 2013 draws to a close and we embark on a New Year, let us
take this time to reflect on the events of the past 12 months and look forward
to what 2014 holds.
This last year, the Office of Attorney General accomplished
a great deal that strengthened the safety and economic security of our
communities, helped Rhode Islanders stay in their homes and educated consumers
on how to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
We took a major step forward in curbing the rapidly growing
use of highly dangerous and unregulated synthetic drugs when the General
Assembly passed my legislation making it illegal to manufacture, distribute or
possess synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones in Rhode Island. Often referred to or marketed as “synthetic
pot,” “herbal incense,” “spice” and “bath salts,” these drugs are far more
dangerous than their naturally-occurring counterparts. These drugs have been
known to cause violent or delirious behavior, high blood pressure, vomiting,
and also a number of deadly health complications.
Recognizing that dangerous drugs are no longer just found on
the street corner, but also in home medicine cabinets, I have continued to
bring awareness to the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse and helped
coordinate the statewide Prescription Drug Take Back events held in April and
October. By preventing drug abuse where
it often starts – in the home – we can make a real impact on this dangerous and
deadly addiction. The Prescription Drug Take Back program is an effective way
to protect yourself and your family from potential killers in your medicine
cabinet.
Many Rhode Island homeowners saw relief from programs under the National Mortgage Settlement signed in 2012. By August of this year, it was reported that more than 2,100 homeowners saw relief with their mortgages with principal reductions totaling $153.5 million, which, on average, represents about $72,310 per homeowner. In addition, more than 300 homeowners have seen their mortgages refinanced, with an average rate reduction of 2.2 percent, and an additional 616 homeowners were in the process of refinancing.
Just a few weeks ago, I signed a settlement agreement with
the nation’s fourth largest mortgage service provider, Ocwen, to bring an
additional $9.6 million in relief to Rhode Island homeowners. As noted when I signed the National Mortgage Settlement, the agreement
did not end my investigation into foreclosure and mortgage servicing abuses by
big banks set on making profits with little concern for homeowners. It represents my commitment to hold those
responsible for the collapse of the housing market and record number of
foreclosures accountable for their conduct.
Furthering my commitment to helping Rhode Islanders stay in
their homes, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed my legislation
requiring mortgage service providers to participate in good faith in a mediation
process administered by a Housing and Urban Development approved independent
agency. The goal of this process is to
facilitate an agreement between the lender and homeowner that will avoid a
foreclosure.
We have also stepped up our efforts to root out fraud and
abuse in our economic safety nets.
Through a partnership with the RI Department of Labor and Training, my
Office hired an attorney dedicated to prosecute unemployment insurance and
worker’s compensation fraud. We have had
great success with this partnership. And, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
continues their efforts to make it easier for individuals to report cases of
Medicaid fraud with an online, anonymous complaint form.
We continue to hold government accountable to its
citizens. In 2012, my office, together
with the House and the Senate, updated the state’s Access to Public Records Act
(“APRA”) making thousands and thousands of new records available. Each year, my office hosts an Open Government
Summit to educate elected leaders, public officials, and the public on the
state’s APRA and Open Meetings Act.
In 2013, our Open Government Unit filed multiple lawsuits on
behalf of citizens against public bodies who failed to maintain the highest
level of transparency. Just recently,
the Superior Court ordered the Manville Fire District to pay a $5,000 fine, the
largest fine in recent memory, for failure to comply with the Open Meetings
Act.
Our efforts were recognized when Rhode Island was awarded a
number one in the nation ranking from the Better Government Association, a
national watchdog group, based on categories including open meetings and
freedom of information.
On the consumer protection front, education remains the best
tool for consumers to guard against becoming a victim of fraud or identity
theft. Throughout the year, staff from
our Consumer Protection Unit conducts more than 150 community outreach
seminars, in addition to answering approximately 4,500 phone calls from
consumers with questions or those seeking to file a complaint. My commitment to
educating consumers is further highlighted by the “Shred-A-Thon events we hold
throughout the state as part of Consumer Protection Week.
In August, I was pleased to host more than 75 prosecutors from
across the globe here in Providence at the International Association of
Prosecutors North American Regional conference, where global criminal issues
such as human trafficking, drug and weapon trafficking and intellectual
property theft were discussed. This
conversation led me to sign a memorandum of understanding with the US
Department of State committing our prosecutors to train their counterparts in
countries around the world on the rule of law and prosecutorial best
practices. This formal relationship
building is necessary to combat e complex crimes. Further, this agreement is a
testament to the excellent work our prosecutors do each and every day to protect
the citizens of this great state.
This is just a brief summary of the many accomplishments and
initiatives that the Office of Attorney General in 2013. Each success I mentioned, and the countless
other accomplishments I did not, would not be possible without the very best
staff of attorneys, investigators and support staff. It is the dedication, time, and commitment
each employee puts into a criminal case, a consumer question, or a civil
lawsuit that makes the Office of Attorney General a state agency that the
citizens of this great state can and should be very proud of. I know I am.
The Office is extremely busy every day. The volume of cases handled by the
prosecutors is staggering. Our criminal
division handles more than 4,500 cases annually, prosecuting those who commit
crimes to the fullest extent of the law and ensuring justice for the victims is
achieved. It is an awesome
responsibility and we are fortunate to have such excellent and compassionate
individuals fighting on our behalf.
Moving forward, it remains my mission, my priority, and my
goal to provide each citizen of this great state with the opportunity to live
and work in a safe and secure community.
On behalf of the entire Office of Attorney General, I wish
each of you a happy, healthy and safe New Year.
