Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Pence Makes AG Bid Official

Linda Pence officially enters the race for Attorney General as a Democrat. She is expected to run unopposed at the party's convention later this month. Her press release announcing a state fly-around announcement tomorrow reads:

"I am running for Attorney General because Hoosiers need an independent voice to stand up for them," said Pence, a practicing attorney for 34 years. "Whether it's fighting mortgage and consumer fraud, or battling the scourge of methamphetamine in our communities, Hoosiers deserve an Attorney General who is tireless and relentless. I am ready for the challenge."

A 1971 graduate of Indiana University, Linda Pence worked her way through IU's law school, taking night classes while holding down two jobs. She began her legal career with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where she took on big oil companies when gasoline price gouging was a common practice. During her nearly ten years at the DOJ, Pence also investigated corporations for bribery, mbezzlement and tax fraud.

Pence is perhaps best known for winning a record settlement of more than $14 million for Hoosiers against a corporation whose illegal practices killed tons of fish in the White River. She also successfully stood up for Central Indiana mom-and-pop gas station owners against Shell Oil, a multinational corporation, in a complex case that involved claims of unlawful price discrimination, violation of the Indiana Deceptive
Franchise Practices Act, breach of contract and fraud.

Pence is definitely a tough litigator. Not everyone agrees with her tactics. I'll have more on that in the coming weeks.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Zoeller should take note that Pence has made real estate issues a priority in the AG's race. Presently the AG's Homeowner Protection Unit is staffed by people who lack knowlege and interest in real estate issues. To say it is ineffective is an understatement. They have no interest in going after realtors and appraisers who break the rules.

There are other areas of the AG's office that are in complete need of an overhaul. Hopefully Zoeller won't run on a platform that electing him is like electing Carter to another term. That's the last thing this state needs.