Mike Rothman: I'm ready to protect Minnesotans as attorney general on Day One - strib oped

The phone rings. A grandmother answers. She is told she’s the lucky winner of a $4 million Costa Rican lottery, but first she must pay the taxes and fees on her winnings. She attempts to cash out an investment worth $250,000.

The grandmother’s concerned financial adviser called the Minnesota Commerce Department; we contacted her bank, and the payment was stopped. Later, the client thanked us for protecting her life savings.

“Not on my watch!” was my motto as Minnesota’s commerce commissioner. As attorney general, it will be my guiding principle.

Scammers know it’s easier to defraud seniors than rob banks. The Commerce Department partnered with AARP, the Better Business Bureau, banks, credit unions and law enforcement to crack down on senior financial abuse. No seniors should lose their life savings and be forced to choose between food, rent or medicine.

Consumer protection was my first priority as Minnesota’s top consumer watchdog. We stopped scams targeting seniors, predatory lending and mortgage fraud. We put criminals and con-artists behind bars.

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As Minnesota’s attorney general, my top priorities will be consumer and senior protection, tackling the opioid crisis and fighting for affordable prescription drugs and health care. I will protect state resources and our beautiful lakes. I will work to ensure a fair economy for all, including working families, retirees and farmers. I will work to recover insurance and financial benefits and to stop financial losses.

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It is also imperative to protect our state by cracking down on deceptive practices and unfair competition that harms consumers, workers, retirees and small businesses.

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http://www.startribune.com/mike-rothman-i-m-ready-to-protect-minnesotans-as-attorney-general-on-day-one/490303671/

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Rothman was also endorsed by the strib:

DFL voters have an abundance of capable candidates to choose from as they cast primary votes in the Minnesota attorney general’s race. In this crowded field, former state Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman stands out for his recent experience running a state agency and his dedication to consumer protection issues — a core responsibility of the state’s top lawyer.

The attorney general has numerous other duties — providing counsel for the state and its agencies, among others — but past officeholders have admirably prioritized stopping scams, safeguarding seniors and advocating for utility ratepayers. That tradition should continue.

That’s likeliest to happen under Rothman. At commerce, he oversaw industries such as insurance and banking that provide vital services to consumers. Commerce also played a key role in delivering financial assistance to Minnesotans in the aftermath of natural disasters. Rothman, 56, made it more clear than other candidates during his Editorial Board interview that consumer protection would be his priority as attorney general.

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http://www.startribune.com/editorial-board-endorsement-dfl-s-rothman-for-attorney-general/490196151/