Martha Coakley in Attorney Generals' offices press releases
On Abortion:
Supported 35-foot buffer zone at abortion clinics
The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the constitutionality of the Commonwealth's buffer zone law. That statute creates a 35-foot buffer zone around entrances and driveways of reproductive health care facilities that provide
abortion-related services. The law allows persons to enter the buffer zone only to enter or leave the clinic. Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office defended the constitutionality of the statute in the federal court proceedings."We are pleased that
the First Circuit has upheld this important law, which enhances public safety and access to medical facilities," said Coakley. "The court agreed that the buffer zone law does not violate the First Amendment because it leaves open ample opportunities for
civil engagement on public ways outside of reproductive clinics."
The buffer zone law was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick and took effect in Nov. 2007. In May 2007, Coakley testified before the Legislature in support of the passage of the legislation.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jul 9, 2009
On Civil Rights:
More women should take active role in policy discussions
Attorney General Martha Coakley delivered the keynote address at the Women2Women International Leadership Conference. Coakley discussed the challenges she faced in pursuing a career as a lawyer, prosecutor, and now elected official. "It's important that
women take an active role in the policy discussions and decision making that shape our society and the world," Coakley said, encouraging "further participation in your local communities and further developing your leadership skills."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Aug 6, 2009
On Civil Rights:
Penalize racially-motivated crime as civil rights violation
Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office obtained a civil rights injunction against two men charged with a racially motivated attack in Worcester. The order prohibits the alleged perpetrators from violating the civil rights of the victims and all others
in the Commonwealth based upon their actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity or national origin. A violation of the injunction is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and two and a half years in a House of Correction, or if bodily
injury results from such violation, a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in State Prison. "Unprovoked, racially motivated attacks like this cannot and will not be tolerated in Massachusetts. These incidents not only affect the victims,
but the community as a whole," said Coakley. "Fortunately, the community responded to this incident with a swift and strong message reaffirming its collaborative commitment to securing the civil rights of all its citizens."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jul 9, 2009
On Civil Rights:
Anti-gay hate crimes devastate victims & communities
Attorney General Coakley's Office has obtained a Final Judgment imposing a five year civil rights injunction against a Quincy man accused of committing a bias-motivated attack on a Quincy resident because of his perceived sexual orientation. The Final
Judgment prohibits the alleged perpetrator from threatening the victim on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation. A violation of the injunction is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of $5,000 & 30 months in a house of correction, or if
bodily injury results from such violation, a $10,000 fine and up to ten years in state prison."We know the uniquely devastating impact that hate crimes have on victims and communities," said Coakley. "Our office is committed to enforcing the state's
civil rights laws to protect residents and visitors to the Commonwealth."
The Attorney General's lawsuit stems from an attack on a gay man in Feb. 2008, where the alleged perpetrator engaged in a physical assault while using anti-gay slurs.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jul 8, 2009
On Civil Rights:
Federal DOMA violates rights of same-sex couples
Coakley filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA"). The law, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, unfairly excludes more than 16,000 Massachusetts married same-sex couples
and their families from critically important rights and protections based on marital status. The complaint alleges that DOMA violates the US Constitution by interfering with the Commonwealth's sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status
of its residents. The complaint also alleges that Congress does not have a valid reason for requiring Massachusetts to treat married same-sex couples differently from all other married couples.Coakley said, "DOMA affects residents of
Massachusetts in very real and very negative ways by depriving access to important economic safety nets and other protections that couples count on when they marry and that help them to take care of one another and their families."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jul 8, 2009
On Corporations:
Pushed anti-trust rules against Google and Yahoo
Last June, Google and Yahoo announced that they had entered into an $800 million four-year agreement under which Google ads would appear on Yahoo Search Results pages and on various Yahoo web properties and partner sites.
Today, the two companies announced that the agreement has been terminated. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement regarding the announcement: "We are pleased that
Google has announced that it has terminated its search advertising agreement with Yahoo. Our Antitrust Division worked with the U.S. Department of Justice and other states in an extensive investigation of this agreement.
We believed that the agreement would have harmed competition in a critical and growing internet market and our office was prepared to file suit with the DOJ to block the agreement."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Nov 5, 2008
On Crime:
Enhance victim compensation assistance
Attorney General Martha Coakley, along with a coalition of over 20 legislators from around the state, has filed legislation to update victim compensation laws by broadening assistance options available to victims of violent crimes. The bill, An Act
Relative to Victims of Violent Crimes, has been filed in both the Senate (S. 1598) and in the House (H. 1587)."With the 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights, it is imperative that we continue to build upon the progress that has
been made in this area. In drafting this legislation, we were careful to balance the diverse needs of victims who come to our office for help with the fiscal realities faced by Commonwealth," said Coakley. "The amendments proposed in this
legislation are important and necessary updates that will enable our office to continue to adequately respond to the needs of victims of violent crimes and their families without requiring additional funding from the General Court."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Apr 16, 2009
On Drugs:
Prosecuted marijuana case for growing 100 lbs hydroponically
A Sharon man was sentenced in Middlesex Superior Court to more than two years in jail in connection with his role in a large-scale marijuana distribution ring operating throughout the greater Boston area. Joshua Katz, age 25, was sentenced on the
charge of Trafficking in Marijuana, Distribution of Marijuana, and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws.From November 2004 through January 2005, the Massachusetts State Police, with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Division, conducted an investigation into a hydroponic marijuana importation and distribution organization operating within the greater Boston area. Throughout the investigation, police monitored numerous cell phone conversations and text messages on
various mobile phones and discovered that Katz was importing large amounts of marijuana and distributing it to various locations throughout the state. The drugs seized in this investigation totaled over 100 pounds of hydroponic marijuana.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jul 30, 2009
On Drugs:
Prosecuted cocaine trafficking cases
A Lynn man pled guilty to cocaine trafficking charges and was sentenced to serve 10 years in State Prison. On November 1, 2007, Pedro Rojas sold approximately 147 grams of cocaine to an undercover State Trooper. A search warrant on Rojas' residence in
Lynn resulted in the recovery of approximately $6,000 and over one kilogram of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. In total, the street value of the cocaine seized is approximately $75,000 to $100,000.
Rojas was arrested following a three month joint investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Office, the Lynn Police Department and State Police. During separate occasions, Rojas was observed trafficking cocaine in Lynn, Salem, and Revere.
This case was prosecuted under Attorney General Martha Coakley's Enterprise and Major Crimes Division. State Police assigned to the Attorney General's Office and the Lynn Police Department assisted with this investigation.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jun 22, 2009
On Energy & Oil:
Develop large scale utility-backed solar power projects
Attorney General Martha Coakley and Governor Deval Patrick today announced a commitment to jointly develop large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power installations through a new statewide entity operating in collaboration with the state's four
investor-owned electric distribution utilities. This plan will maximize the benefits of renewable power for ratepayers across the state authorized by the Green Communities Act and help meet Governor Patrick's goal of 250 MW of solar generation installed
in the Commonwealth by 2017."Development of solar generation through a statewide pool will drive down costs through economies of scale and spread the costs and benefits across the broadest base of customers," said Attorney General Coakley.
"Solar
power is a key component of our clean energy future," said Governor Deval Patrick; the project is "an innovative new model to bring renewable energy--and the jobs that come with it--across the state at the lowest cost possible."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jul 16, 2009
On Energy & Oil:
Greenhouse gases are pollutants that threaten public health
Coakley submitted comments in response to the EPA's proposed determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. On April 24, 2009, the EPA formally issued its proposed findings that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping
gases are pollutants that threaten public health and welfare."In the face of the compelling body of scientific evidence supporting an endangerment finding, this long-overdue proposal constitutes a significant and meaningful first step towards
regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act," said Attorney General Coakley.
The EPA expressly characterized their proposed endangerment finding as a direct response to Massachusetts v. EPA, a Supreme Court decision which held that the
EPA could not avoid deciding whether greenhouse gases endanger public health on grounds of economics or foreign policy, but must decide based on the issues identified in the Clean Air Act.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jun 23, 2009
On Energy & Oil:
Spent nuclear fuel is subject to terrorist attack
Attorney General Coakley's Office filed a brief in the US Court of Appeals, challenging a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decision denying a Petition for Rulemaking that Massachusetts filed in 2006. The Attorney General's Office requested that the
NRC address new and significant information regarding the risks of severe accidents in the spent fuel pools at nuclear plants, including Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee, caused by terrorist attack, human error, equipment malfunction, or natural disaster.
The brief was submitted jointly with the States of New York and Connecticut."Our appeal is intended to ensure that the NRC give due consideration on these important environmental and public safety issues," said Coakley. "While nuclear energy will
undoubtedly be a part of our regional and national energy landscape, the NRC needs to change its rules to ensure the agency adequately addresses the risks of severe accidents involving spent fuel storage pools caused by terrorist attack and other events.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Jun 6, 2009
On Environment:
Endangered Species Act should consider greenhouse gas effect
Attorney General Martha Coakley applauds the action that the Obama administration took yesterday to overturn a late-term regulatory action by the Bush Administration to the Endangered Species Act. Coakley's Office, along with seven other state Attorneys
General, joined California on January 16, 2009, in challenging this regulatory action by the Bush Administration. The regulatory changes sought to relieve federal agencies and applicants for federal permits from having to consider the effects of increase
greenhouse gas emissions on species and habitats under the federal Endangered Species Act."Consistent with the Obama Administration's pledge to put science before politics, the Obama Administration announced its intention to utilize the
unique authority Congress gave it earlier this year to revoke last minute Bush Administration regulations that undermined the vital protection provided by the federal Endangered Species Act," said Attorney General Coakley.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Apr 29, 2009
On Environment:
Enforced hazardous waste management and transport laws
Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office reached an agreement with a western Massachusetts company, resolving claims that the company had transported hazardous waste through several western and central Massachusetts communities without the proper permits
Under the terms of the Consent Judgement, Western Mass Environmental must pay a $225,000 civil penalty to the Commonwealth, with $125,000 of that amount suspended if the company retains a consultant for two years to ensure that it will not engage in
any further violations of the Commonwealth's hazardous waste management laws."The law prohibits companies from transporting hazardous waste without a proper license," said Attorney General Martha Coakley. "The civil penalty in this settlement
agreement reflects the substantial risk to the public and the environment that unlicensed transportation of hazardous waste on our public highways creates."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Apr 27, 2009
On Families & Children:
Prosecuted against no-show jobs at MBTA
Attorney General Coakley's Office has reached an agreement with a Domino's Pizza franchise in Framingham to settle allegations of child labor violations. Domino's agreed to pay $15,000 in penalties primarily for employing minors beyond permitted work
hours and maximum daily hours.An investigation revealed that on 66 occasions between April 2007 and June 2008, the restaurant employed 15-year-old workers beyond 7 PM on a school night, the latest permissible hour for a 15-year-old to work during
the school year. The investigation also revealed that a 15-year-old worked more than eight hours in a day in violation of the maximum hours permitted for 15-year-olds.
The Massachusetts Child Labor laws include restrictions on both the occupations in
which minors may be employed, as well as the hours during which they may work. The law also requires employers to ensure that teens have proper work permits prior to beginning work, and that employers post all minors' work schedules in the workplace.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Sep 17, 2008
On Health Care:
Pushed Pfizer to pay $15M for Medicare fraud
Attorney General Coakley's Office reached an agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, resolving allegations that the company engaged in improper marketing practices to promote the sales of a variety of its drugs. Under the terms of this landmar
settlement, Pfizer will pay $14,728,408 to the Massachusetts Medicaid Program, which provides funds for health care products and services to eligible low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, children and elder citizens. This is the
largest national settlement in history in a health care fraud matter [totaling $700M in 9 states]."This settlement sends a strong message to the pharmaceutical industry and to the broader healthcare community that illegal and improper practices will
not be tolerated," said Coakley. "State and federal prosecutors take very seriously their responsibility to police the Medicaid program, and we will continue to work together to identify and root out fraud and abuse in the health care industry."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Sep 2, 2009
On Health Care:
Require drug manufacturers to disclose risks
Attorney General Coakley applauded the US Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Wyeth v. Levine. "The Supreme Court recognized the critical role that states play to ensure that drug manufacturers disclose risks promptly," said Coakley.The case involved
Diane Levine, who was given Wyeth's anti-nausea drug, Phenergan. In April 2000, Levine received Phenergan through the "IV Push" method, and the drug was mistakenly injected into an artery, causing injuries that led to the amputation of her right arm belo
the elbow. A jury awarded Levine $6.8 million, on grounds that Wyeth failed to provide adequate warnings about the IV Push method.
In the past year, AG Coakley's office has settled several state law consumer protection cases against pharmaceutical
companies, including a $58 million multistate case against Merck relating to painkiller Vioxx; a $62 million case against Eli Lilly relating to antipsychotic drug Zyprexa; and a $60 million case against Pfizer relating to anti-inflammatory drug Bextra.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Mar 4, 2009
On Homeland Security:
Published guide and website for veteran's benefits
Attorney General Coakley's Office today unveiled a new section on its website dedicated to veterans and military families. The office will also release a comprehensive guide about resources available to veterans, military service members and
their families. "The residents of Massachusetts owe a debt of gratitude to all of those who have sacrificed by serving our country," said Coakley. "We hope that this material will assist veterans and their families in easily informing themselves
about their benefits and rights and the help that is available if they find themselves in need."
The guide covers laws designed to protect veterans from discrimination in areas such as employment and medical care
and to help veterans avoid foreclosure and credit problems during their military service. It also offers tips on how veterans can maximize housing, healthcare, disability, employment and education benefits.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Nov 10, 2008
On Jobs:
Prosecuted minimum wage and child labor violations
Martha Coakley's Office has issued citations against two different Domino's Pizza franchise owners for violations of the Massachusetts Wage Act. The Attorney General's Office ordered Domino's Pizza of Lynn and Randolph to pay over $16,500 in restitution
and penalties for failing to pay wages in a timely manner, and failing to pay minimum wage. The Attorney General's Office has also separately cited Domino's Pizza in Mansfield for multiple child labor violations, ordering over $5,000 in penalties.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Aug 18, 2009
On Technology:
Expand wire interception law with one-party consent
[Coakley filed an] Act to Combat Economic Crime, [which includes an updated law on] Wire Interception: Last updated in 1968, the Massachusetts wire interception statute has not been updated to address either the technological advancements in
telecommunications, or the changes in the nature and structure of criminal enterprises over the past 40 years. This bill provides much-needed updates to the wire interception law, including adding a definition for "electronic communication," designating
new crimes eligible for the use of a lawful interception, and extending the amount of time that a lawful interception can remain open from 15 to 30 days to account for the breadth and complexities of criminal investigations in the 21st century.
The bill also allows lawful, court approved one-party consent monitoring and recording of conversations of certain crimes. At this time, 43 states have wire interception statutes, and 35 have one-party consent statutes.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Aug 3, 2009
On Technology:
Give law enforcement tools to prosecute 21st century crime
Attorney General Martha Coakley, with a coalition of legislators and law enforcement organizations, announced the filing of An Act to Combat Economic Crime, comprehensive economic crime legislation designed to give law enforcement the necessary tools to
investigate and prosecute sophisticated criminal activities and enterprises in the 21st century. The bill updates the law in three areas, including money laundering, enterprise crime, and wire interception."As our economy has struggled in recent
years, we have seen criminals engage in more sophisticated, organized, and often large-scale schemes to steal money or otherwise profit from illegal conduct," said Attorney General
Coakley. "Crimes such as money laundering and engaging in corrupt business enterprises are very difficult to prosecute at the state level because police and prosecutors simply do not have the necessary tools to investigate and prosecute such crimes."
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Aug 3, 2009
On Technology:
Prosecuted identity theft cases
A Cumberland, Rhode Island, woman pled guilty in Bristol Superior Court yesterday in connection with stealing the identity of a 77-year-old acquaintance and using it to create a fake identification card and to purchase items for personal use. Julie
Senechal, age 46, pled guilty to charges of Identity Fraud, Larceny, Forgery & Uttering. Senechal was sentenced to serve two years in State Prison, [plus requiring that for 5 years] she not be employed in a position where she has control over money.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Aug 21, 2009
On Technology:
Settled all claims on Big Dig ceiling collapse
Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that her office has settled the pending civil claims, concluding all litigation related to the July 2006 Big Dig I-90 Connector Tunnel ceiling collapse. Gannett Fleming, the designer for the section of the tunnel
ceiling that collapsed, agreed to pay $1,525,000 into the Central Artery Statewide Road and Bridge Infrastructure Fund. Sika Corporation, the manufacturer of the epoxy glue used in the ceiling that collapsed, agreed to pay $200,000 into the Fund.
The following is a partial list of AG Coakley's Big Dig recoveries since taking office in January 2007:- July 27, 2007. $50.0 million settlement with Aggregate Industries (false claims for adulterated cement).
- January 23, 2008. $458.2 million
settlement with Bechtel/Parsons Brinkerhoff for ceiling collapse, wall leaks, various design errors and problems.
- December 17, 2008. $16.0 million settlement with Powers Fasteners, resolving both criminal manslaughter indictment and civil claims.
Source: Attorney General Press release on website www.mass.gov
Mar 26, 2009
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