Research

Administrative History

The attorney general acts affirmatively to protect the public against unfair business practices, investment fraud and phony charitable solicitations; and to protect the environment and the public health against polluters. The office also defends the civil and human rights of New Yorkers and safeguards the rights of wage earners and injured employees.

It is responsible for protecting prospective purchasers of co-ops and condominiums by reviewing the seller's offering literature. Its authority includes the bringing of criminal prosecutions against persons who fix prices or engage in other anti-competitive activity, or who willfully dump toxic chemicals in violation of law, or who engage in other types of specified criminal activity. It may criminally prosecute cases referred by the governor and agency heads, and it supervises the Organized Crime Task Force. The attorney general's office also serves as bond counsel to a number of the State's public authorities.