Lori Swanson: Difference between revisions
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'''Lori Swanson''' is the [[Minnesota Attorney General|Attorney General]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. She received her undergraduate degree from the [[University of Wisconsin]] and her law degree from [[William Mitchell College of Law]]. Swanson was elected on [[November 7]], [[2006]], and took office on [[January 2]], [[2007]]. She succeeded [[Mike Hatch]], who declined to run for reelection as Attorney General in order to [[Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2006|run for governor]]. She became the first woman elected Attorney General of Minnesota. She has worked with former Attorney General Mike Hatch both in the public and private sector. Prior to her election, Swanson served as the deputy attorney general under Mike Hatch's first term as Attorney General, and solicitor general in his second term. Swanson has been a tenacious consumer advocate. She filed several lawsuits against life insurance companies that sold long term annuities with high surrender charges to senior citizens. Some of these lawsuits, profiled on ABC's Dateline, have been resolved with consent orders in which insurers made over $500,000,000 in refund offers to Minnesota seniors. Swanson also drafted and secured passage of legislation to reform the mortgage market in Minnesota. She has filed almost a dozen lawsuits against mortgage companies alleging fraud and deceptive practices. Many of these lawsuits have been resolved with injunctions against the companies. |
'''Lori Swanson''' is the [[Minnesota Attorney General|Attorney General]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. She received her undergraduate degree from the [[University of Wisconsin]] and her law degree from [[William Mitchell College of Law]]. Swanson was elected on [[November 7]], [[2006]], and took office on [[January 2]], [[2007]]. She succeeded [[Mike Hatch]], who declined to run for reelection as Attorney General in order to [[Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2006|run for governor]]. She became the first woman elected Attorney General of Minnesota. She has worked with former Attorney General Mike Hatch both in the public and private sector. Prior to her election, Swanson served as the deputy attorney general under Mike Hatch's first term as Attorney General, and solicitor general in his second term. Swanson has been a tenacious consumer advocate. She filed several lawsuits against life insurance companies that sold long term annuities with high surrender charges to senior citizens. Some of these lawsuits, profiled on ABC's Dateline, have been resolved with consent orders in which insurers made over $500,000,000 in refund offers to Minnesota seniors. Swanson also drafted and secured passage of legislation to reform the mortgage market in Minnesota. She has filed almost a dozen lawsuits against mortgage companies alleging fraud and deceptive practices. Many of these lawsuits have been resolved with injunctions against the companies. |
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However, despite these apparent successes, Swanson's tenure as Attorney General has been plagued by scandal and suggestions that she is still under the control of her mentor and former boss, the prior attorney general, Mike Hatch. In June of 2008, the Minnesota Legislative Auditor issued a report <ref>[http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/06/03/2083/legislative_auditors_report_on_turmoil_in_swansons_office]</ref> substantiating allegations to the effect that the Attorney General's office, under Swanson, forced employees to: (1) sign and issue a civil investigative demand without sufficient merit; (2) insert unsubstantiated information in an affidavit; (3) give advice that was not in the best interest of a client; (4) find defendants to help the Attorney General's Office bring certain types of lawsuits; and (5) post comments favorable to the office and Attorney General Swanson on an internet blog and record the time used for blogging as annual leave even though state time was used. |
However, despite these apparent successes, Swanson's tenure as Attorney General has been plagued by scandal and suggestions that she is still under the control of her mentor and former boss, the prior attorney general, [[Mike Hatch]]. In June of 2008, the Minnesota Legislative Auditor issued a report <ref>[http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/06/03/2083/legislative_auditors_report_on_turmoil_in_swansons_office]</ref> substantiating allegations to the effect that the Attorney General's office, under Swanson, forced employees to: (1) sign and issue a civil investigative demand without sufficient merit; (2) insert unsubstantiated information in an affidavit; (3) give advice that was not in the best interest of a client; (4) find defendants to help the Attorney General's Office bring certain types of lawsuits; and (5) post comments favorable to the office and Attorney General Swanson on an internet blog and record the time used for blogging as annual leave even though state time was used. |
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More recently, evidence has emerged that former Attorney General Mike Hatch is answering politically sensitive emails sent to Swanson.<ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/41264817.html?elr=KArksUUUU]</ref> And in late March, 2009, Swanson was engulfed in media inquiries about a $400,000 remodel of her offices, including $15,000 sound-proof doors.<ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/42354702.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUX]</ref> Legislative leaders have called for an investigation. |
More recently, evidence has emerged that former Attorney General Mike Hatch is answering politically sensitive emails sent to Swanson.<ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/41264817.html?elr=KArksUUUU]</ref> And in late March, 2009, Swanson was engulfed in media inquiries about a $400,000 remodel of her offices, including $15,000 sound-proof doors.<ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/42354702.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUX]</ref> Legislative leaders have called for an investigation. |
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Revision as of 01:45, 8 April 2009
Lori Swanson | |
|---|---|
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| 29th Minnesota Attorney General | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Hatch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 16, 1966 |
| Political party | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |
| Profession | Attorney |
Lori Swanson is the Attorney General of the U.S. state of Minnesota. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Swanson was elected on November 7, 2006, and took office on January 2, 2007. She succeeded Mike Hatch, who declined to run for reelection as Attorney General in order to run for governor. She became the first woman elected Attorney General of Minnesota. She has worked with former Attorney General Mike Hatch both in the public and private sector. Prior to her election, Swanson served as the deputy attorney general under Mike Hatch's first term as Attorney General, and solicitor general in his second term. Swanson has been a tenacious consumer advocate. She filed several lawsuits against life insurance companies that sold long term annuities with high surrender charges to senior citizens. Some of these lawsuits, profiled on ABC's Dateline, have been resolved with consent orders in which insurers made over $500,000,000 in refund offers to Minnesota seniors. Swanson also drafted and secured passage of legislation to reform the mortgage market in Minnesota. She has filed almost a dozen lawsuits against mortgage companies alleging fraud and deceptive practices. Many of these lawsuits have been resolved with injunctions against the companies.
However, despite these apparent successes, Swanson's tenure as Attorney General has been plagued by scandal and suggestions that she is still under the control of her mentor and former boss, the prior attorney general, Mike Hatch. In June of 2008, the Minnesota Legislative Auditor issued a report [1] substantiating allegations to the effect that the Attorney General's office, under Swanson, forced employees to: (1) sign and issue a civil investigative demand without sufficient merit; (2) insert unsubstantiated information in an affidavit; (3) give advice that was not in the best interest of a client; (4) find defendants to help the Attorney General's Office bring certain types of lawsuits; and (5) post comments favorable to the office and Attorney General Swanson on an internet blog and record the time used for blogging as annual leave even though state time was used.
More recently, evidence has emerged that former Attorney General Mike Hatch is answering politically sensitive emails sent to Swanson.[2] And in late March, 2009, Swanson was engulfed in media inquiries about a $400,000 remodel of her offices, including $15,000 sound-proof doors.[3] Legislative leaders have called for an investigation.
Electoral history
- 2006 Race for Attorney General - General Election
- Lori Swanson (DFL) 53.24%
- Jeff Johnson (GOP) 40.72%
- John James (IP) 4.05%
- 2006 Race for Attorney General - DFL Primary
- Lori Swanson 41.75%
- Steve Kelley 37.34%
- Bill Luther 20.91%
References
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Statewide elected officials and legislative leaders of Minnesota | ||
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| U.S. senators |  | |
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