News & Press Releases 2009

Attorney General releases formal opinion on taxation issues surrounding medical marijuana -- 11/16/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers issued a formal opinion today addressing questions from the Governor’s Office concerning the taxation of medical marijuana.

“Colorado law is clear: Medical marijuana, in most instances, should be subject to state and local sales taxes,” Suthers said. “This formal opinion should help clear up many of the uncertainties surrounding the taxation of medical marijuana. Many other questions surrounding medical marijuana and Amendment 20 to the Colorado Constitution will have to be resolved by the courts or the Colorado Legislature.”

Buescher and Suthers promote wise charitable giving -- 11/12/2009

DENVER – Amid the upcoming holiday season, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and Secretary of State Bernie Buescher appealed to residents to consider charitable giving but also to give wisely.

"Undoubtedly, these are tough economic times,” Buescher said. “However, for those traditional donors or people wanting to give for the first time, my office has developed a user-friendly site that helps people maximize their donations by highlighting charities’ financials. In this season of giving, we want Coloradans to be seasoned-givers.”

Attorney General releases reports on state’s 2008 subprime lending -- 11/05/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers today issued three reports on Colorado’s 2008 subprime consumer lending activity. The reports cover lenders licensed by the Office of the Attorney General and do not include data on all loans issued in the state. The data mirrors the overall decline in Colorado’s economy last year and the slowing extension of credit. New mortgage and installment lending decreased more than 50 percent even as lenders continued to collect and service more than $3 billion in previously-issued loans.

Aurora Police Sgt. M. Joseph Young honored as first recipient of Attorney General’s Excellence in Law Enforcement Award -- 11/05/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that Sgt. M. Joseph Young of the Aurora Police Department has been awarded the Colorado Attorney General’s Excellent in Law Enforcement Award.

“Sgt. Young exemplifies the very best of Colorado’s law enforcement community,” Suthers said. “From his 34 years devoted to public safety to the quality of his service as an officer of the law, it is a distinct honor to have Joe as the award’s first recipient.”

Attorney General announces 32-year sentence for leader of Metro-area methamphetamine-distribution ring -- 11/03/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that a Jefferson County District Court judge has sentenced Duy H. Nguyen (DOB: 8/20/1980) of Westminster to 32 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for his role as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise responsible for a string of burglaries, car thefts and methamphetamine distribution.

Attorney General announces Colorado has received more than $3 million from four Medicaid fraud settlements -- 11/02/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today the state has received more than $3 million from four pharmaceutical manufacturers as part of four settlements that allegations that the companies improperly marketed drugs and paid kickbacks to health care professionals in return for prescribing their products. Each of the four settlements stem from the damage these schemes caused to Colorado’s Medicaid program.

Attorney General agrees with Colorado court of Appeals’ opinion that Amendment 20 ‘cries out for legislative action’ -- 10/29/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers released the following statement today concerning the Colorado Court of Appeal’s decision in People v. Clendenin:

Attorney General, Adams County District Attorney announce 18-year sentence in elderly abuse, neglect case -- 10/27/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and Adams County District Attorney Don Quick announced today that an Adams County District Court judge sentenced Tammera Deane Henritze (DOB: 10/23/1970) to 18 years in prison for neglecting and mistreating an elderly woman for whom she was a personal services provider. The Office of the Attorney General assisted the Adams County District Attorney’s Office and Adams County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

Attorney General announces lawsuit against Colorado Springs mortgage company engaged in deceptive trade practices -- 10/27/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that his office’s Consumer Protection Unit has filed a complaint against Alternative Lending of Colorado, a Colorado Springs-based company, and its managing general partner, James W. Dale III (DOB: 4/4/1945), and top loan originator, April A. Bigler (DOB: 10/15/1980), both of Pueblo West.

Attorney General announces guilty plea from ringleader of illegal gambling, loan sharking ring -- 10/26/2009

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that Jeffrey Castardi (DOB: 5/23/1961) has pleaded guilty to violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, a class-two felony, for his role in running an illegal gambling ring that centered around the Gin Rummy Club, 2380 South Broadway in Denver.