Says, ‘farmers are no longer vulnerable to potentially devastating financial losses due to faulty equipment’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today released the below statement following the Arkansas Legislature’s passage of the Farm Machinery Quality Assurance Act that will provide “lemon law” type protection to consumers in the purchase of new self-propelled farm machinery and equipment which do not conform to the manufacturer’s warranty and attempts to repair the problem fail.

“Farm equipment is a major and necessary expense for farmers, often costing thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “But when that equipment doesn’t work and can’t be repaired, it can be disastrous. With the passage of the Farm Machinery Quality Assurance Act, farmers are no longer vulnerable to potentially devastating financial losses due to faulty equipment.”

The Farm Machinery Quality Assurance Act applies to new self-propelled equipment over 25 horsepower that is typically used for agricultural purposes. It requires the consumer to notify the manufacturer of nonconforming issues within 1 year of purchase or 600 hours of operation of the equipment. Similar to the motor vehicle lemon law, the manufacturer then has three opportunities to repair the problem. If the repair attempts are unsuccessful, the consumer has the right to a refund or replacement of the equipment.

The bill has passed both chambers of the legislature and will now go to the governor for his signature to become law.

Says, ‘In-person educational events will save Arkansans money’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today hosted the first regional Rutledge Retiree Resources event in Fayetteville. The agenda included programs designed to educate senior citizens from northwest Arkansas about how they can protect themselves from pervasive and vicious scam artists.

“Engaging Arkansas’s senior citizens in their hometowns is important to effectively communicate the multitude of ongoing scams,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “In-person educational events will save Arkansans money and help us put a stop to the scammers who are looking for a quick buck.”

Attendees heard from Attorney General’s office staff about protecting themselves from scams and identity theft, proper prescription drug disposal, resources regarding nursing homes and home care, and protecting finances.

Registration is available for additional Rutledge Retiree Resources events that are scheduled for April 29 in Jonesboro and June 25 in DeWitt.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today issued a statement on the death of Judge David “Mac” Glover a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals.

“I was saddened to learn of Judge Glover’s passing this weekend,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Arkansas lost a talented jurist, incredible father and man beloved by everyone who knew him. I am sending prayers of healing and peace to his family during this difficult time.”

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced mobile office locations for April.

Attorney General Rutledge created this initiative during her first year in office to increase office accessibility for all Arkansans, particularly to those who live outside the capital city. Office hours were held in all 75 counties each year during her first term, assisting 3,300 Arkansans.

Rutledge believes face-to-face conversations are the best way to truly hear from Arkansans. The Attorney General Mobile Offices assist constituents with consumer related issues by filing consumer complaints against scam artists as well as answering questions about the office and the other services it offers to constituents.

Rutledge continues her partnerships with the Cooperative Extension Service and local law enforcement across Arkansas. Law enforcement officials will be on hand to collect unused and expired prescription medications to ensure they are secured and properly disposed. Arkansans are encouraged to bring their old, unused or expired prescription medications to an upcoming mobile office. During Rutledge’s first term, over 618 pounds of medications were collected at mobile offices.

For more information about services provided by the Attorney General’s office, visit ArkansasAG.gov or call (501) 682-2007. Rutledge can also be found on Facebook at facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge and on Twitter at twitter.com/AGRutledge.

The upcoming mobile office schedule is below:

Chicot County

Tuesday, April 2

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Festinger Memorial Senior Citizen Centers

751 N. Lakeshore Drive

Lake Village, AR 71653

Mississippi County

Thursday, April 4

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Blytheville Senior Citizens Center

1101 David Lane

Blytheville, AR 72315

Nevada County

Monday, April 8

9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Hamilton Blakely Senior Center

419 E. Main St.

Prescott, AR 71857

Craighead County

Tuesday, April 9

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

St. Bernards Senior Life Center

700 E. Washington Ave.

Jonesboro, AR 72401

Johnson County

Tuesday, April 16

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Johnson County Senior Activity Center

1421 W. Oakland St.

Clarksville, AR 72830

Phillips County

Tuesday, April 23

10:30 a.m. to noon

Helena Senior Center

407 Desoto St.

Helena – West Helena, AR 72390

Logan County

Thursday, April 25

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Booneville Senior Center

545 Heritage Drive

Booneville, AR 72927

Boone County

Friday, April 26

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Boone County Senior Activity and Wellness Center

1516 Rock Springs Road

Harrison, AR 72601

Benton County

Tuesday, April 30

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Benton County Senior Activity Center

3501 SE L St.

Bentonville, AR 72712

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced a new initiative to educate Arkansas’s seniors about how they can protect themselves from vicious scam artists. The first Rutledge Retiree Resources event will be held March 26 at the Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center for seniors from across the region.

“Senior Arkansans are a consistent target of scammers from across the world,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “These educational events are aimed to teach Arkansans how to spot a scam and protect their personal information. I am pleased to offer these types of programs across the state to reach Arkansans where they are.”

Rutledge Retiree Resources events will be held regionally and are currently scheduled for April 29 for Jonesboro and June 25 for DeWitt. Registration is now open. Attendees will learn about protecting themselves from scams and identity theft, proper prescription drug disposal, resources regarding nursing homes and home care and protecting finances from Attorney General office staff. Lunch will be provided to all participants.

Says, ‘fraud on the backs of hardworking taxpayers is unacceptable’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced a Conway County man has been sentenced to probation and to pay more than $300,000 in restitution for social security fraud.

Joseph Sensabaugh, 47, from Hattieville, pleaded guilty in October to one count of theft of government funds. He has been sentenced to 18 months probation and ordered to pay $311,813 in restitution to the Social Security Administration, as well as a $100 special assessment fee.

“Social Security fraud on the backs of hardworking taxpayers is unacceptable,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “This case was the result of outstanding coordination between multiple state and federal agencies.”

In addition to the Attorney General’s office, law enforcement officers from the SSA-OIG, Conway County Sheriff's Department and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism contributed to the investigation initiated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and led by the Social Security Administration’s – Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) through Arkansas Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) Unit.

Two special agents and an analyst from the Attorney General’s Office are assigned to Arkansas’s CDI Unit which began operation in October 2015 as a state and local cooperative effort funded by SSA-OIG. The mission of the CDI Unit is to combat fraud by investigating questionable statements and activities of claimants, medical providers, interpreters or other service providers who facilitate or promote disability fraud. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Bragg from the Office of United States Attorney Cody Hiland.