Tag: West Virginia Attorney General’s Office

Sponaugle Announces Run For West Virginia Attorney General

Democratic Del. Isaac Sponaugle announced he is running for West Virginia’s attorney general in 2020. 

He made the announcement Monday at the state Capitol.

“I’ve worked hard during my legislative career fighting for all West Virginians,” Sponaugle said in a news release. “I’ve sponsored and supported bills that have become law, which benefit the working people of this state. Likewise, I have fought vigorously against bills by the corrupt special interests that attack West Virginians’ healthcare, wages, property and legal rights. I look forward to fighting on behalf of all the working people of this state every day in the courtroom.”

Sponaugle also took aim at Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for his ties to the pharmaceutical industry. 

 

“Morrisey and his family have made a fortune off Big Pharma at the expense of West Virginia,” Sponaugle said. “He banked money from Big Pharma in return for settling lawsuits for pennies on the dollar.

Morrisey was first elected in 2012 and won again in 2016.

Sponaugle, an attorney from Pendleton County, was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2012. He currently serves as one of the minority party’s deputy whips.

He’ll face Beckley-based attorney Sam Petsonk in a May primary. Petsonk filed pre-candidacy paperwork in June.

 

W.Va. Unit Cites $1.3M of Improper Disability Claims

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office says its unit targeting Social Security disability fraud helped save nearly $1.3 million in improper claims during the second quarter of this year.

Two investigators and an analyst have been working with the Social Security Administration to review suspicious or questionable disability claims.

The unit reported $2.5 million of improper claims stopped in 2016, its first full year, and $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has asked the Legislature transfer the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit from the state Department of Health and Human Resources to his office.

In October, he said the disability fraud unit began reviewing past claims and payments for fraud and possible referral to county and federal prosecutors.

W.Va. Unit Cites $1.9M of Improper Disability Claims

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office says its unit targeting Social Security disability fraud helped save $1.9 million in improper claims during the first quarter of this year.

Two investigators and an analyst have been working with the Social Security Administration, its inspector general’s office and the state’s Disability Determination Section to review suspicious or questionable disability claims.

The unit reported $2.5 million of improper claims stopped in 2016, its first full year.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has requested authority from the Legislature to investigate fraud in the Medicaid program.

In October, he said the disability fraud unit began reviewing past claims and payments for fraud and possible referral to county and federal prosecutors.

Frontier Resolving More West Virginia Speed Complaints

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office says Frontier Communications has increased internet speeds for more than one-third of nearly 28,000 customers covered by the settlement to resolve complaints over slow service.

The December 2015 agreement requires Frontier to make at least $150 million in capital expenditures over three years to increase internet speeds.

According to the attorney general, Frontier has spent almost $73 million so far and reports increasing internet speeds to 9,910 customers.

Customers paying for high-speed service up to 6 megabits per second had complained they frequently received speeds 1.5 mbps or lower.

Frontier agreed to temporarily reduce monthly rates to $9.99 for about 27,500 customers until download speeds increased, saving them $10 to $20 a month.

W.Va. Attorney General Seeks Input on Card Skimming

West Virginia’s attorney general has sent a letter to gas stations and convenience stores across the state asking for information on ways to raise awareness and prevention among businesses and consumers against skimming credit and debit card information.

In the letter, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says the request is not part of any investigation into their businesses but seeks input.

Skimmers are devices that can be attached to gas pumps and automated teller machines to intercept information from cards’ magnetic strips and later used to run up purchases.

The attorney general’s office says consumers should beware of additional devices attached to gas pumps or ATM card slots and that victims should contact their financial institutions.

Skimmers can look like normal card readers that stick out a little farther that normal.

State Unit Cites $2.5M of Improper Disability Claims

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office says its unit targeting Social Security disability fraud helped save $2.5 million in improper claims during its first year.

Two investigators and an analyst have been working with the Social Security Administration, its inspector general’s office and the state’s Disability Determination Section to review suspicious or questionable disability claims.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has said he wants authority from the Legislature to investigate fraud in the Medicaid program.

In October, he said the disability fraud unit began reviewing past claims and payments for fraud and possible referral to county and federal prosecutors.

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