Press Clippings

12:13 PM Wed, Sep 01, 2010
By W. Zachary Malinowski

PROVIDENCE -- Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, this morning called on Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to submit to a forensic audit to make sure that state regulators and subscribers have a thorough picture of the health insurer's finances.

``In just two years, Blue Cross has raised its premiums nearly 20 percent and that is simply unafforable and unacceptable. As Attorney General, I will bring a tough new approach and that begins with the performance of an independent forensic audit.''

Archambault make his announcement during a late morning news conference under a scorching sun. He used the ``$125 million new headquarters,'' of Blue Cross & Blue Shield building near the downtown train station as a backdrop.

Archambault motioned with his arm and said, ``I need a clear picture of what is going on in there.''

If elected, Archambault said that the forensic audit would be a top priority of his administration. He said that he would work with the General Assembly to get the go-ahead to examine the insurer's finances.

Archambault said that he supports the proposal by state Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, who called for the audit last spring. Archambault hails from Smithfield and he serves on the Town Council.

Archambault stopped short of accusing Blue Cross of any wrongdoing, but he questioned the high salaries for its executives and the money spent on the insurer's new headquarters ``occupying prime real estate in Providence.''

``These are red flags,'' he said. ``We need to take a close look at the financial expenses of Blue Cross.''

Monday, August 30, 2010 
Stephen Beale, GoLocalProv Politics Editor

Democratic Attorney General candidate Stephen Archambault is calling for a new law to address the issue of cyberbullying in schools. 
“I will push for new tough state legislation to protect our children and teenagers from this new and dangerous form of bullying,” Archambault said. He said the new law should have tougher penalties for cyberbullying – and also put more responsibility on educators to report cases.

Cyberbullying is the use of e-mail, text messages, and social networking sites like Facebook to threaten, harass, and spread rumors about a classmate. Half of all U.S. children had some experience with cyberbullying in 2008, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control study. Because it doesn’t require fact-to-face confrontations, Archambault said cyberbullying tends to be more common than more traditional forms of bullying.

He called on a new state Senate commission that is studying the issue to review the anti-bullying laws that recently passed in Massachusetts and Louisiana. The Massachusetts law, which was passed after two bullying-related suicides, mandates that every school employee – including custodians and cafeteria workers – report incidents of bullying.

He also called for the expansion of programs like TalkWorks – which uses plays and role playing to illustrate the dangers of bullying for elementary school students in Rhode Island. “I attended a TalkWorks session in an elementary school classroom and as a result have seen first-hand the positive impact on our children,” Archambault said.

2:52 PM Fri, Aug 27, 2010 |
By W. Zachary Malinowski

Steve Archambault, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, announced on Friday that he is seeking stiffer penalties and more stringent reporting requirements to crackdown on cyberbullying, something he called a "widespread and growing problem that victimizes too many of our kids."

Archambault noted that, according to experts, this form of bullying is more prevalent and widespread than in-school bullying because it does not require face-to-face contact. Cyberbullying is the use of e-mail, social networking sites and text messaging to intimidate, harass and spread harmful information about another child or teenager.

Citing national data, Archambault said that girls are more likely than boys to engage and be victims of cyberbullying.

Archambault noted that he looked forward to the recommendations of a state Senate Commission that will be studying the issue of cyberthreats, cyberbullying and sexting, sending explicit photos through the Internet. He urged the the commission to take a close look an anti-bullying laws that have been adopted in Massachusetts and Louisiana.

1:00 AM EDT on Friday, August 6, 2010

 By W. Zachary Malinowski

Journal Staff Writer

 PROVIDENCE — Stephen R. Archambault, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, has unveiled a six-point plan to combat mortgage fraud and protect consumers in Rhode Island, which led the nation in mortgage fraud in 2008, according to the Mortgage Asset Research Institute.

In a news release, Archambault suggested the problem may have worsened in today’s difficult credit market.

“Current banking practices must change now,” he said. “Home foreclosures, devaluation of property values and the unavailability of credit will continue as a result of market manipulation and fraud if banking laws and regulation remain and violations go without prosecution.”

Archambault commended the collaboration by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch for recently forming a Rhode Island Mortgage Fraud Task Force. He said their efforts are “a step in the right direction,” but that changes in current laws and regulations are needed to punish offenders.

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12:08 PM Thu, Aug 05, 2010

BY W. ZACHARY MALINOWSKI
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- Steve Archambault, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, has unveiled a six-point plan to combat mortgage fraud and protect consumers in Rhode Island, which led the nation in mortgage fraud in 2008, according to the Mortgage Asset Research Institute.

In a news release, Archambault suggested the problem may have worsened in today's difficult credit market.

"Current banking practices must change now,'' he said. ''Home foreclosures, devaluation of property values and the unavailability of credit will continue as a result of market manipulation and fraud if banking laws and regulation remain and violations go without prosecution.''

Archambault commended the collaboration by Peter F. Neronha, US Attorney for Rhode Island; and State Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch for recently forming a Rhode Island Mortgage Fraud Task Force. He said their efforts are ''a step in the right direction,'' but that changes in current laws and regulations are needed.

Monday, August 02, 2010

Stephen Beale, GoLocalProv Politics Editor

Rhode Island was ranked number one in the nation for mortgage fraud in 2008–an unhappy distinction that Democratic candidate for Attorney General Steve Archambault hopes to change if elected.

His campaign warned that today’s tough credit market is “fertile soil for scam artists” who take advantage of homeowners and buyers. “Current banking practices much change now,” Archambault said. “Home foreclosures, devaluation of property values and the unavailability of credit will continue as a result of market manipulation and fraud if banking laws and regulation remain unchanged and violations go without prosecution.” 

He praised sitting Attorney General Patrick Lynch U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha for forming the Rhode Island Mortgage Fraud Task Force, but said the state needs to do more to address the problem.

“As Attorney General, I will aggressively go after mortgage fraud and other practices that hurt homeowners and I will seek the legal changes needed to be most effective,” Archambault said.

Read the Entire Article Here