Criminal Division
Prosecutors charged 994 criminal defendants with felony offenses including fraudulent schemes and artifices, illegal enterprise, participating in criminal syndicates, money laundering and numerous violent crimes in addition to assisting over 34,392 victims and obtaining restitution in excess of $64 million. The Division supported 60 criminal justice agencies with grants from the Victims’ Rights Program totaling $2.75 million and provided 91 trainings in victim’s rights programs to more than 852 professionals statewide.

Public Advocacy Division
The Public Advocacy Division continued to reach substantial settlement agreements, most notably, the multi-billion dollar settlement with Countrywide Financial Corp. over the company’s use of deceptive mortgage lending practices. An estimated 13,000 Arizonans who were expected to qualify for the program and receive up to $245 million in economic relief. Additionally, in 2009, $4.3 million was recovered for Arizona consumers in response to complaints, and $125.6 million from the diligent enforcement of the tobacco master settlement. agreement. The Division reached a $1 million price accuracy settlement with the nation’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, and obtained a $60 million, multi-state settlement with Pfizer Inc., resolving a lengthy investigation by Attorneys General from 32 states into the company’s promotion of the drugs Celebrex and Bextra.

Solicitor General’s Office
Attorneys from the Solicitor General’s Office issued opinions concerning such matters as school finance, election laws, redistricting requirements for certain school districts, air pollution control measures, and online meetings related to the State’s Open Meeting Law. In fiscal 2009, the Attorney General along with 38 other State Attorneys General defended the Second Amendment a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court explaining that law-abiding Americans have a fundamental right to bear arms. Additionally, the Solicitor General’s Office reviewed more than 330 briefs, coordinated more than 30 moot courts and offered 36 continuing legal education programs.

Child and Family Protection Division
During FY09, the Child and Family Protection Division helped reunite 2,607 children with their parents, aided in the adoption of 1,754 children be relatives or foster parents, and protected more than 11,466 children from abuse and neglect. Additionally, the Unit represented ADES in 254 appeals filed in FY09, and prevailed in 99% of all appeals filed in FY09. The section also helped craft Senate Bill 1047 (Child Safety), which broadened the definition of “abuse” and “neglect” to protect children exposed to dangerous chemicals or equipment in the production of dangerous drugs.

Civil Division
In addition to successfully defending the constitutionality of bills aimed at addressing the State’s budget deficit, the Office’s Civil Division assessed $1,250,158.00 in civil penalties and recovered $158,110.58 for the State. Furthermore the Civil Division successfully defended the Department of Revenue’s assessments of full cash value, resulting in savings to the State of approximately $29,500,000.

Civil Rights Division
The Civil Rights Division investigated 1,418 discrimination charges and resolved 939 cases, including 195 housing charges, 648 employment charges and 96 public accommodations charges. As a result of its litigation, conciliation and mediation efforts, the Litigation Section obtained in excess of $900,000 in monetary relief for charging parties. Additionally as part of the Conflict Resolution Program’s efforts, charging parties received more than $422,000 in monetary relief.

Finance Division
The Finance Division Administrative Law Section continued to represent approximately 60 State agencies in matters concerning public monies, procurement, finance, open meetings, public records and general agency advice. In 2009, the Bankruptcy and Collections Unit represented the State in debt-related matters and collected $8.1 million that state agencies had been unable to obtain. Additionally, the Information and Financial Services Sections have been responsible for implementation of the Office’s new case management system Implementing this approach has saved hours of data entry, eliminated repetitive processes, improved accuracy and freed employees to do more demanding and productive work.