News ReleasesFilter

Rutledge Files Suit Against Central Arkansas Landlord
Mon, Aug 5, 2019Says, ‘brazen disregard for the health and safety of his tenants’
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today filed a suit in Pulaski County Circuit Court against Imran Bohra and his company, Entropy Systems, Inc., for violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
“This lawsuit was necessary to combat Bohra’s brazen disregard for the health and safety of his tenants,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “It is unacceptable that Bohra refuses to address numerous housing code violations, yet he is still determined to lease homes with serious structural and safety issues to Arkansans, who simply want affordable and safe housing.”
From 2016 to January 2019, Bohra was cited with over 160 violations by the Little Rock and North Little Rock code enforcement.
The complaint, filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court, is seeking an injunction, an order imposing civil penalties, the suspension or forfeiture of franchises, corporate charters, licenses, permits and authorizations to do business in Arkansas.
Arkansans who have questions or would like to file a consumer complaint should contact the office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.
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Rutledge Launches Statewide Public Service Announcement on Robocalls
Mon, Aug 5, 2019
Says, ‘too many Arkansans lose their life savings to an overseas con’
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today launched a statewide public service announcement addressing robocalls, a top issue impacting Arkansans. Rutledge has been leading the effort nationally and in Arkansas to combat robocalls and spoofing calls to stop con artists from scamming consumers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Every person in the State is sick and tired of the never ending robocalls,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Robocallers and scam calls make everyone angry, and sadly, too many Arkansans lose their life savings to an overseas con. I’m committed more than ever to do everything in my power to stop these calls and hold these scammers accountable.”
Rutledge has been leading the charge in the fight to combat incessant robocalls by demanding that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) require the telephone carriers to aggressively block illegal robocalls before they reach consumers. In June, the FCC responded modifying rules to clarify that telecom companies may block calls from certain unauthorized numbers. Rutledge also expressed support for congressional legislation namely, the passage of the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act.
In March, Rutledge worked with Arkansas state legislators to pass Acts 677 and 1074 of 2019, which fix stiffer penalties for illegal robocalls and spoofing. The law also requires telecommunication providers to submit annual reports to the Arkansas Public Service Commission to certify that all available and applicable technology is being employed to identify and block illegal robocalls and spoofing. The legislation was met with overwhelmingly bipartisan support and passed with no opposition.
The public service announcement can be viewed on various networks and cable stations throughout the State and can be found on Rutledge’s YouTube page.
Arkansans who would like to file a consumer complaint can email the office at oag@ArkansasAG.gov or call (800) 482-8982.
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Rutledge Announces Settlement with Fraudulent Hospice Care Charity
Thu, Aug 1, 2019Says ‘preyed on compassionate people trying to donate to end of life care’
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced today a settlement agreement with The New Hope Foundation, Inc. The sham charity solicited donations through telemarketing and direct mail pieces using the deceptive name Hospice Support Fund. The New Hope Foundation claimed to provide educational programs regarding hospice services but little, if any, program services occurred.
“New Hope Foundation preyed on compassionate people trying to donate to end of life care services,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Fraudulent and deceptive businesses will not be allowed to take advantage of generous Arkansans.”
In the settlement agreement with New Hope, its officers and directors, the organization must dissolve and two of its officers are banned from any future charity or fundraising activities. New Hope will also pay $11,023.50 in costs, fees, and civil penalties to the State of Arkansas.
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recommends these tips for generous Arkansans looking to contribute to a charitable organization:
- Be an informed giver. Research a charity’s ratings on a trusted watchdog website like BBB Wise Giving Alliance; GuideStar; Charity Navigator; or Charity Watch. Make sure the charity is registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
- Watch out for similar sounding names. Scam artists often try to take advantage of names that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate charities.
- Use secure payment methods when donating to a charity. Never donate using gift cards, wire transfers or other untraceable methods of payment.
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.