Martha Coakley Part 2

Welcome back this is -- and you while listening to fit parents forum and we joined in studio by the Attorney General of the commonwealth. The one an only Martha Coakley. Former stuff for my District Attorney of Middlesex going to -- the -- that's right. This is one of those Korea past that we were they say the CEO you know you started here is adventure started in the mail -- whatever mother and his fellow district court in 1986 one well. That's a long time ago became the District Attorney of Middlesex county. And was elected by and a stunning -- and an appropriate budget to the -- to the office the constitutional office of Attorney General. Last fall she is now 810 weeks into that job something like that -- in the -- it is in about 24 minute not that anybody's counting but apparently had said earlier he refused -- like you doing hot idea about the -- The EU Julia Reggie reduce he has habits infectious it's contagious people -- so positive about you being here. In the AG's office with talked about identity theft -- talked about urban crime. We're going to take some calls for four and with the Attorney General. The number here is 617266 6868 the E mail address is -- for Internet WR KO dot com issues around casinos sub prime urban crime which were talked about identity theft and anything else that might be undermined. Let's go right to Derek in -- due out next with Martha Coakley and Tom -- unfit parents for a may have 680 WR KO.

Good morning Donna Bennett and -- I have a question for you regarding -- and the EP -- Attorney General. I -- abrupt closing last year what what are the consumers can do that were affected by that ought they be those. I don't go off topic but

DN you're trained at a shop the clues --

Yet spot and maybe. -- closed abruptly I think it was sometime last year that your book for.

My election of that was that they were taking deposits from consumers not providing either. Products saw some things that they were supposed to I'm just going to generalize this is not a unique situation in Boston baby every once in awhile I think the AG's office would run into a situation which. -- companies under financial pressure rest somebody's just poets I think it's appropriate action we discuss -- left in the lurch.

We announced this week we brought China regrets civil charges against a guy who did this -- money and promised some rooms for people and then and then did deliver on them. I'm in general it did depends on -- you know I'm not that familiar with that situation has happened I remembered vaguely certainly any situation like that our consumer protection hotline that folks in our office can help. Tryon navigated I can't promised but sometimes you know businesses go belly up they take a risk they get alone and in. It depends often consumers unfortunately aren't the end of the receiving line -- for company files bankruptcy your closes up consumers may get some money back that they may not and it happens we're soft and I think enough furniture that clothing context clothing store condit's but it happens with people who put deposits and vacations or who. I'm buying homes and within the sub -- lenders apparently a prayer for example that the -- up on that in it and it in the first stints as people should be careful you know deal with reputable companies which this one -- but if that happens my advice would be first -- your local. Consumer office in in -- city -- to -- or you can contact our office to see if we are able to act on behalf of consumers are trying get that money back.

So that I guess the short answer is get in touch with the consumer protection hotline -- a department at the AG's office and see what they can do we'll continue to take calls -- with Martha Coakley the Attorney General of the -- while the number here is 6172666868 let's go right to John in Boston John you are next on parents -- may have succeeded WR KO.

I don't want to good morning. Question like I'd do something about prosecuting illegal aliens that are driving without licenses. -- driving an insured vehicles and so forth they are illegal in the countries that would. It breaking the law as if I get caught doing that might -- punishment the lot worse in this we want to see something out of your office to -- control -- and get it back to the point where it's not happening.

Well -- a couple of comments first of all anybody who is stopped to and it happens fairly frequently because I knew when I was the DA we sought all the time anyone you stop driving without a license uninsured and is is charged with that they they are brought into district court. On but I can tell you did it's the same problem whether they are here illegally -- not a lot of people who were driving without licenses were who are uninsured. -- because they don't have the money so the court is really limited to what they can do they'll find. People who don't have the money to begin with I don't I don't mean to me like -- did it but it's it's his situation that I -- time after time in bolstering an 86 in the district -- the second thing that I want to say is that people need to remember that. In Massachusetts at least as far state authorities are. Concerns being illegal is not illegal it is federally illegal to be here and that's why federal authorities who worked on deportation. But -- the state Attorney General you know I can certainly prosecutors can the DA someone who violates the law but some news here undocumented. Theoretically is not breaking state law.

I hope that helps John -- yet from the attorney general's experience Ian. The DA's office as an assistant DA in lol just to make it again clear. Those are prosecuted the police will make an arrest for unlicensed unregistered and uninsured it comes in an assistant DA as Martha Coakley was once herself. Will prosecute dead and then it's in the hands of a judge and I suppose at anywhere along the line either the police the DA's office -- the judge might make a referral and information referral to the federal people may have may not I don't know if there's a pattern.

not -- it's not it's not our job to do that and -- it it's certainly can come to people's attention there are times when the federal government -- interest in someone and they will come in. On but it I think it points out that you know we clearly need some sort of federal resolution to what is has become an almost untenable situation.

It is absolutely untenable we calls that we get in here. The frustrations that the business community has as they try to operate within the rules and then find out that the rules change the enforcement patterns are different at different times. Depending on which way the wind is blowing in Washington it's a terribly untenable situation.

And you know I don't I don't try and make light of where people people who are on the road should be registered they should have licenses and somewhat to my surprise -- even learn some of our police chiefs are in favor of giving drivers' licenses to. Two people who -- otherwise undocumented. I am not I don't think that's the way to go in this instance on there are certainly too many people that driver's licenses who shouldn't we have people. And we need to crack down on that and one of my idea narcotics officers made -- news dealing in time that's of cocaine in the -- six driver's license all which had a legitimate Social Security a slightly different name. So there's a lot of fraud around getting driver's licenses but. -- this issue about what -- gonna do about people who were in the country illegally has to be resolved that the federal level and I am hopeful that it can be resolved sooner rather than later creates. A difficult situation for everybody.

We're going to continue to take calls with the Attorney General we have Martha Coakley on here on the air here she's here in the studio -- parents for a may have succeeded WR KO the number here is 6172666868 let's go right to John in Salem John you -- next. On -- from what the Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Probably aren't Vietnam monitor and in territory art good things that figure back in the last call Turkey is doing illegal but my question is what do. It or hate that enabled this process that are these -- or after the people that are citizens of this country. That would bet there are people out that you know that there are new legal citizens are higher in the business an army -- you know applications I have trouble proper paperwork from back in. They don't come back because there -- on the proper paperwork aren't stopping right at the front or what to do for people that aren't doing and I you -- luck to those people that enable that props.

Well in in fact that is part of my mandate to make sure that employers in the state follow the law which means that they have to pay Social Security have to withhold both income taxes and an insurance in so. That is the focus of our division of labor to make sure. Frankly that employers follow the loss of an employees -- exploited in again a situation that's kinda gotten out of control frankly 510 years ago. This planning were to go around it was a don't ask don't tell situation a lot of people were working. Now the economy's changed in people money's getting tighter but my mandate is to make sure and I think that companies like Q the follow the law agree. That you know people should be paid what the state law requires and there has to be was holding a lot of the times that cutting of corners happens because you have undocumented workers in you have employers that are playing by the rules of the state loses out on taxes. Employees are exploited people get injured the end of the new -- you know hospital rooms -- costs everybody -- We do try to enforce the law it's difficult to do but we're trying to figure ways that we can do better with more civil sanctions up front on companies and businesses that don't play by the rules.

And government Patrick did not issue recently an executive order which -- ratchets up the obligation at least for private companies or rent to prizes. That have states contracts he did absolutely. So that'll that that so then would be another possible facet we have you might be called the end if there's some evidence developed that there are violations SM OK that's our that's our enforcement mandate. Keep up the good work let's go right to -- in Boston part due out next on favorites for may and 680 WR KO with the Attorney General Martha Coakley.

I can't believe -- hearing and hearing two things I want to make two points one she says it's too much too much money. To get a license so they they -- elect these people -- it's 30 -- policy you know license. In the you can enforce laws against illegal aliens and driving without a light that point --

Yeah -- yeah I -- can -- you can. Go ahead plug you finish your point and then I think we'll both going to the off because I didn't hear that out of the attorney general's -- at all in public in a right BI here at the studio go ahead that's what I want.

Hi Richard say if she that there but that was too much money can expect people that helped money licenses and making it anything about it the other thing is. Which she says it's it's not accurate do would be to enforce laws against illegal immigrants we got federal taxes on the book that they did it is illegal to abet. Concealed just illegal aliens it would. When the police of the commonwealth of Massachusetts Attorney General doesn't. Doesn't -- he doesn't arrest these people all locked them up she is betting she's assisting she's helping illegal aliens stay in this country. Violation of that the -- It's pretty sloppy for an Attorney General to say. If she doesn't have a mandate to enforce the law against. Illegal immigration what federal statutes require and -- that the very thing that she's refusing to do is illegal.

All right well let me let me respond that would give the Attorney General the last word on this I did not hear us say what you accused are saying in the first instance. I did here is say that some people struggle to an issue of the era automobile so they might be an issue it that's been -- talk about continually hear on the forum so unregistered -- she did say that when she was an assistant District -- local police make the arrest. Young about the Coakley ATA prosecute the case gets a conviction the judge may make a sentence that takes into it takes into account the limited financial ability of some of these people that's all she said that's all I hear it. And then secondly the notion that -- that the federal law. Becomes that she's -- in aiding and abetting. Because of are all pockets. Iron to hide from federal authorities. The presence of an illegal alien is that it's it's an outrageous statement it's an outrageous statement to suggest. That somehow or other that's aiding and abetting the the example she gave us was that there was a local rest. Any local prosecution. And it goes in front of a judge in the federal authorities maybe not become aware that for a variety reasons and that is literally the sum and substance of what she's supposed to do as the as the DAR as the aging pop up.

I just you know I I understand your anger and frustration -- I'm just saying I had no jurisdiction over the as I do not have the ability to enforce federal laws so I really have an answer for you can use your asking her unquestioned.

I mean if not the -- well I'll finish up by -- Martha -- goes matching it to the federal court she gets a line like the rest of us who goes up buys a Dunkin' Donuts coffee up at the concession and she doesn't have any standing she can't stand up in front of a federal judge. Input BTU caller anybody else in front of that judge and say this gentleman has to be deported. Pat do what is -- her role.

This is why there has to be pressure on our congress and on our president to reach a resolution 'cause I can't do and I share your frustration with these issues and to saying I'm not I don't have jurisdiction don't have authority to do -- the answer has to come from your federal government. Good point who have been nice five point plan him out to a talk about that -- for a may have 6 ADR KO is what you're listening to the nothing here is 6172666868. In we have Martha Coakley the Attorney General of the commonwealth on the at taking your calls let's go right to John -- Johnny up next on parents far.

Good morning Bob I don't know when legitimate download it again it stopped being punished I blog is an example. All -- Legitimate doubt about it only build a package one dime a moderate. -- not stop what's going on in the city bought it everywhere else. That creates more that the Portland by sheriffs and bury a child who said he if you're. Completely legal the army and -- and that -- for it and wants everyone to -- I don't -- That's what I went public are great because I -- it's been proven and the way that they are being handled the estate. Is ludicrous will be punished for the actions that bothers. Let's take a drinking and driving case and punish me for example that someone else but while driving dropped.

Well let's let's -- math Richard let's give the Attorney General a chance to respond the governor just wrote rolled this out last week as pot of at crime package a proposal in response to -- the shootings in Boston so the -- AG is on the spot with an answer to you right now I don't.

I agree with you I I actually have voiced the opinion that I don't think that particular. Peace has any effect on what the problem is we're dealing with the Massachusetts. It is aimed at -- under the federal authority did something like this to avoid what we call straw purchases having someone. Who shouldn't have a gun by it to someone who legitimately can do it's so they get gun they can buy a gun and sort of through a straw that we sometimes property is spot. I don't think that's the solution to this problem -- we have guns on the streets that are illegal but did not through straw purchases and so I think I have suggested it will suggest that there's certainly other ways that we need to put her energy and and I AM. You know I support their legitimate gun ownership by I have talked about this a little bit in the past. On I think that we have to be careful with guns obviously but we have allowed a safety mechanisms messages is a very tough gun law. On but that hasn't solved all the problems and we need to look over the problems coming from and I don't support that particular piece of legislation.

Appreciate the call going to take a short break here and veterans form when we come back we'll continue with your call also -- Hang on will be back with the Attorney General Martha Coakley in a moment on Finneran Tora may have 680 WR KO WR --

Welcome back to stop veteran you are listening to parents for a 1 AM 680 WR KO we in the studio you what Martha Coakley. The Attorney General of the commonwealth. Discussing a variety of issues in taking your calls the -- here is 6172666868 the email address is. T Finneran at WR KO dot com let's go right to the calls still -- tops field you are next on parents for a what the Attorney General Martha Coakley

good morning -- what often bought the tickets really frustrating -- the fact that the way it was set up not technically illegal you'd think about that situation that it -- But there's too many that live practical lies at the solutions are. The point where it is now. Like who. Sure -- Take some sort of political rip -- what it like is how to operate with these federal authorities and and some -- go beyond. He called video -- not my job description and I can't do we voters are so sick of hearing politicians that state and crack -- itself. Well the benefit for your prompt political -- sure that you would be different and come up for that is -- to come up to try to help. The solve this problem because that is their eight.

What would you suggest though I'm in I don't I'm not making light of this and -- I you know I have a lot of likely there's a lot of stuff I have to do I'm called to account for every day where there is. Consumer protection. I'm not the I have some criminal jurisdiction that the DA's do the initial. On the federal government has responsibility here -- the US attorney here there's a policy in in Washington and -- trying to shirk the duty and just saying it's becomes it's easy to say we should come up with some new ideas but what would you suggest.

Well -- well let's talk about it what's the process between what you're assistant DA do do corral these names -- the potential of the people obviously he's physically they can't -- upn whose. No way to these names come from we find it. And then what happens what's the process we make the process more efficient. Outcome we can't help that said a sure they're going to say they're understaffed still according -- them do their job better.

And in their job is what their job is to because it well okay but you know could if you let me let me tell you something if you walked into any district court across the commonwealth of Massachusetts -- the federal government and you really want to do -- you can walk into any district court across this commonwealth. And sit and take names. The federal government simply doesn't have. -- the places to hold people the process they're entitled to added that people did do an and I I just saved TU dad if they can't do it I can't I don't have holding cells I don't have awaited deport people I don't I'd I'd say this just to give you the reality of the situation why. This situation we've all looked the other way for so long we've let people in they took jobs nobody else wanted -- I'm not saying particularly in tops fielder Chelmsford or. On but in in Boston in major cities across Massachusetts. On in restaurants and construction sites people took the stops and nobody said anything. And now they're here with families and kids I'm not saying it's a good situation -- saying that it's easy to sail sudden okay we don't like the situation anymore let's do something about it. Someone has to come from the federal government. Because we don't have people -- money -- doing here or authority do do. I agree with you though it's time to start to get some solutions and I think our congressional delegation people in Washington. Have to say -- deport these before we're going to find a way for them to become legitimate we can't live in this. Nether world where people -- we have this whole underground community of people who are here. On their kids are in school and they're not officially documented. I I agree with you it's a huge problem I just wish we had better answers to rushed.

It was a listen to the forum you heard me outline a -- kind of a five or six stepped up plan on this but Martha -- yourself the Attorney General herself said I think under very Frist call that we took on immigration issues. Very frustrated by it unhappy with that wishes that more could be done but in the end the remedy will begin an end with the federal government. It's incumbent on all of us actually the call our congressman NI US senate this says senators Kerry Kennedy and whomever. Your congressman is to let them know what you think about this and that it's time that it be given attention. And resource in direction so we can get rid of the netherworld and you make of that you you make a more coherent policy than what we have now let's go right to do it in Braintree Danny lad next unfit parents -- with the Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Thank it's common -- the morning district that extra me Attorney General.

That's -- I still do that to a -- I forget on the Attorney General and -- good morning.

Less than -- there's a couple of points like the make the end and -- start to work out there about this before two they would spend a couple of billion dollars so it and yet. Supporting illegal immigrants so we have an economic problem -- whereby every other commuted all 300 and could you want community so look before propp who want to have overrides and that explosions -- that money was. Excluding that -- familiar perhaps half a billion with a beat. Were able to be redirected into local -- again and then -- pounds wouldn't be look before -- who want to have overrides at that explosion with that's set. There's an organization in Washington DC focus -- immigration studies we have handy rate yet and -- In the pop -- intend Massachusetts. Based senior policy adviser of from the -- name just -- of raunchy and took a state post twice. She has parked on the subject -- illegal immigrants. The wrap programs today that the Homeland Security uses one of them -- which is all saved it to program. That all of -- police the province in news. To -- and up by illegal immigrants there is Russia erupted in the Arizona and Mark the -- you must you must go on speaking out.

With Panama we've had a money -- forums so yup I think we.

Point by point here is popular is everywhere -- want to defer this Kuwait federal problem the federal government let us down. We get the state level have to do something now and debt is like changes some of our laws. Weekend -- inspired by. Denying illegal. Access to work that -- are financially assist.

Did did let me make a suggestion if I can't to the to the opening of the young lady out there in hopkinton miss -- testified to what about one of the things you might do and again I'm not just I I don't pretend to -- speak for the Attorney General of I don't have the capacity not going to have the desire to do so but one of the things you might want to do at that information is get -- To the mass municipal association. Did the umbrella group for every city a town some cities -- towns might be casual about this others might be much more emphatic in decisive about it and want to do something to take control this. That would then dead be distributed to their police chief of police superintendent. And that's with a low that's where the the beginning pot of enforcement has to occur you know the Attorney General would be somewhere else along -- but again without really any role responsibility or jurisdiction she just tackle it's the federal court this morning not tomorrow and say two federal judge -- send these 50 people away. Got -- but. Let's take one last call -- market behavioral -- US next confederates -- may have succeeded WR KO you get the Attorney General Martha Coakley with the.

Well topical use. He had to do that because a federal law but we cooperate with a -- federal kidnapping charges. Real excuse you rounding up illegal aliens as to croc week but -- Illegal aliens here in Beaverton -- real the real reason it is political. -- that -- distancing. And the real problem the people of Massachusetts who vote.

Not true I can say that not likely aesthetic questions so you are entitled to that opinion now I can't speak for for the Attorney General I don't recall anybody record of citizens in any debate that you engaged in with your opponents during the last. Election for Attorney General. We were immigration came up where it was characterized as anything other than other than. And exclusively federal issue and if the federal folks can fix it. Great -- screaming about idea for weeks and weeks and weeks which is why actually came out it's that it just continuing to belly -- and moan and scream. Come up with the idea with come up with a plan. People clearly call in. But on this one I feel quite comfortable box and that this one you really trying to dump site of the non -- front lawn that's not a lot of -- not a -- of anything that she does ought to he is due.

Mean we're not a legislative body for one thing but I don't want listeners to think and I don't. Care about this problem -- don't think it needs a solution to the extent that. This discussion hasta happen with the federal authorities in changes need to be -- I've been a huge advocate for that I see every day what happens in terms of costs involved unpredictability it is -- to stage where it is a crisis situation not only in this state -- across the country. But this tacit you know where did don't complain to me go to your senators go to your congressman go to your president NC do something about this problem that's when he cancerous.

Both in the overall -- economic issue as well specifically with health care institutions that run into precious because of the specific issues around two illegal immigration to tough tough issue and you can feel the the the.

Also -- yet and I understand is very local -- in in in many places the impact is felt because people think that you know. On -- their money's going to something -- other than -- should be that may be true but it's also true that there are a lot of people who work hard every day. And who don't pay taxes who are having Social Security with -- and and -- who are contributing to the economy and I think. You know let's look at the big picture here in India -- resolution that makes sense that is humane but has also economically.

Telling us what's going on on identity -- crime and a whole host of other things. Good luck with the continued efforts don't be estranged couple biking comeback that left to its fine thanks and thanks again will be back in involvement after short break here -- parents for a met a M 680 WR KO