Date: 01/25/2010
Final
Briefing by the Department of Law
COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY
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04:06 PM -- Briefing by the Department of Law
Mr. John Suthers, Attorney General, introduced himself and distributed his presentation on the Department of Law to the members of the committee (Attachment D). He noted that the presentation includes a copy of his testimony in front of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Attorney General Suthers discussed the work of his office and provided an overview of the divisions within the Department of Law. He provided a summary of important issues for the office, such as elections and ballot initiatives.
04:16 PM
Attorney General Suthers discussed a number of outstanding cases in which the office is currently involved and potential damages in those cases. He focused particularly on cases in the area of natural resources and environment. He then outlined the office's involvement in consumer protection and anti-trust cases. Attorney General Suthers explained how the financial crisis has impacted the office's caseload concerning the consumer credit code and mortgage issues. He made particular note of his office's ability to fill the gap between district attorneys and U.S. attorneys in the field of securities fraud cases.
04:26 PM
Attorney General Suthers moved on to a summary of arrests and convictions under sex offender laws. He also addressed the work of the Methamphetamine Task Force, and noted that methamphetamine use seems to be declining. He spoke about the drain of state resources caused by the use of methamphetamine.
04:29 PM
Attorney General Suthers provided further information on the effects of the ongoing financial crisis on his office. Using his testimony to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission as an outline, he discussed the need to pursue cases in the most effective way possible. He described his office's focus on cases involving deceptive advertising and mortgage fraud. He also discussed trends in consumer complaints, and noted that complaints about mortgage servicing and consumer relief plans have been increasing. He referenced three reports by the Foreclosure Prevention Working Group which were included in the packet of materials distributed to the committee, and he also spoke about the role of the Foreclosure Hotline in providing foreclosure loss mitigation services to Coloradans. Attorney General Suthers discussed past and upcoming legislation concerning the prevention of foreclosure fraud.
04:38 PM
Attorney General Suthers described statistics concerning the use of payday lenders and spoke about his office's actions against payday lenders who do business over the internet without getting a license. He closed his presentation with a brief discussion of debt management companies and the credit market.
04:42 PM
In response to a question from Representative Pace, Attorney General Suthers gave his personal opinion on the issue of medical marijuana dispensaries. He said that the object of any legislation should be to implement the will of the voters as closely as possible. He discussed the events that have led to the current situation. He spoke about the increase in applications for medical marijuana permits. He made additional comments concerning what suggestions his office would make concerning legislation addressing the issue of medical marijuana.
04:50 PM
The committee adjourned.