McGraw announces computer agreement with American Legion, VFW

CHARLESTON -– Attorney General Darrell McGraw has announced that his office has entered into cooperative agreements with the West Virginia VFW and the West Virginia chapter of the American Legion for the purchase and placement of 42 Internet and video conferencing ready laptop computers.

The computers will be lent to homebound West Virginia residents who have loved ones on active military duty overseas particularly in the Iraq and Afghanistan theatres. He made the announcement at the Morgantown VFW Ceremony memorializing the 66th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the sinking of the U.S.S. West Virginia.

"After consultation with personnel at West Virginia Division of Veteran's Affairs we have entered agreements to place these computers at American Legion and VFW regional offices throughout the state," McGraw said. "They will be available on library lending basis for people to use.

"My office has been looking into this project for some months. The Governor's office has put into place a wonderful program that set up state facilities in order to give family members a location to participate in video conferencing with their loved ones on active duty around the world. It is our intention to take this plan and make this available to those that have circumstances that make them home bound.

"These computers are made available because of vouchers obtained from a settlement several years ago with the Microsoft Corporation and they have graciously agreed to use.

"The VFW and American Legion have very kindly agreed to serve as the dispensing and maintenance entity for these computers.

"As the holiday season approaches it seems apt for government to do what little it can to ease the burden on services members and their families."

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In other AG news, McGraw's office filed a suit Dec. 19 against a health spa for failing to comply with the Health Spa Rule, Title 142, Series 13.

According to this legislative rule, every health spa in the state must register with the Attorney General's office, provide the office with a copy of its West Virginia business registration certificate and a valid membership contract, and most have to also post a $50,000 bond.

McGraw alleges that Brag Women's Center LLC, doing business as Spencer Curves, owned by Barbara G. Fetty, has failed to register with his office and provide the supporting documentation.

"It is just unfortunate that some businesses fail to follow simple rules and that these litigious actions must be taken," McGraw said.

In its complaint, McGraw's office is requesting the court to enjoin the businesses from operating until they have complied with the legislative rule, pay consumer restitution and pay civil penalties and costs.

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Earlier this month, McGraw filed a petition for contempt against IGIA Inc., a Delaware corporation that markets household products through infomercials and the Internet.

On Feb. 28, 2007, IGIA entered into an agreed final order with the Attorney General wherein it agreed to pay more $176,000 in civil penalties to be used for consumer restitution. IGIA had agreed to pay the State $10,000 per month until the civil penalties were paid. IGIA did not make its payment that was due on Nov. 5, 2007, in violation of the agreed order.

The Attorney General sued IGIA for consumer protection violations in connection with its sale and marketing of vacuum cleaners for sale under the names Windstorm, Singer Lazer Storm, and Milinëx Power Storm.