SEATTLE - The movie "Hot Coffee" focuses on a controversy its filmmaker says has been brewing for years - between corporate America and the legal system. Over the next few months, screenings and discussions are being held in at least eight Washington cities statewide, starting Wednesday in Seattle.

The case of the woman who sued McDonald's when she was scalded by hot coffee got international attention, but it's only one example in the film. Director Susan Saladoff says corporations continue to spend millions to distort public perceptions of lawsuits - and are working to "cap" or limit damages when they're found liable.

"When you put a cap on these cases, the taxpayers wind up paying the balance, because when the insurance companies and the defendant are limited in what they have to pay, doesn't mean that the person injured doesn't need the money to pay for their medical bills and so on. It just means that we, as taxpayers, pay through Medicare or Medicaid."

A former attorney, Saladoff contends the judicial system is being influenced by money and power just as much as the other branches of government - and believes it's becoming harder to get a fair trial.

The film also makes a powerful case about corporate influence in elections. Attorney Michael Withey with the Washington State Assn. for Justice says it's something Washingtonians have experienced, with a couple of high-profile cases in recent years involving business organizations working to unseat judges and a state insurance commissioner.

"You're not allowed to lobby judges, you know, and you shouldn't be allowed to lobby judges. Yet, if big corporate interests put millions and millions of dollars into campaigns for elections and judicial elections, there's the appearance, at least, of influence. We just can't have that."

Withey sees "Hot Coffee" as a wake-up call for Americans to protect their constitutional rights, including the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

The film sparks lively discussions wherever it is shown, Saladoff says.

"People say, 'I vote, I'm smart, I read the newspaper - and I had no idea about these issues. I was completely wrong in my perception, I will never think that way again and I will never vote that way again.' It has really been extraordinary, the response."

She will attend the Seattle screening on April 11, along with former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz, whose case is part of the movie. The evening begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by the film at 6:30 p.m. and a discussion afterward. It will be at the downtown Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave.

The movie can also be seen on HBO. The screening schedule in Washington state is available online at washingtonjustice.org.




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Buying a used car can be a risky proposition, but a new consumer guide can help people avoid common pitfalls.

The nonprofit Oregon Consumer Justice just released the first edition of its free resource, called the Consumer Confidence Comics. The unique guide doubles as an interactive comic book with coloring pages.

Michelle Luedtke, communications director for Oregon Consumer Justice, describes it as a fun way to learn how to ask the right questions.

"When you get promises from a dealer, where do you capture those to make sure that they'll be part of your final contract?" Luedtke asked. "We have a checklist of different questions to ask at a dealer about purchasing a used car. You can also download as a resource on our website."

The guide is available in English and Spanish.

Used car prices shot up during the pandemic but have come down a bit in the last year, with the average used car selling for about $31,000, according to iseecars.com.

Luedtke also recommended taking the time to read the fine print on any contracts. The guide goes through the process from start to finish.

"Whether or not you should be looking for financing beforehand, or what dealer financing looks like? What are scams that are common around purchasing a vehicle," Luedtke outlined. "And then also, what to do if things go wrong."

In Oregon, used car dealers have 14 days to finalize the financing, so you could drive it off the lot and then have to return it if the loan falls through. Consumers are advised not to make any changes to the car until they get a welcome letter from their lender.

In 2022, Americans purchased about 39 million used vehicles.

Buying a used car can be a risky proposition but a new consumer guide can help people avoid common pitfalls.

The nonprofit Oregon Consumer Justice just released the first edition of its free resource called the Consumer Confidence Comics. The unique guide doubles as an interactive comic book with coloring pages.

Michelle Luedtke, communications director for Oregon Consumer Justice, said it is a fun way to learn how to ask the right questions.

"When you get promises from a dealer, where do you capture those to make sure that they'll be part of your final contract?" Luedtke asked. "We have a checklist of different questions to ask at a dealer about purchasing a used car, you can also download as a resource on our website."

The guide is available in English and Spanish. Used car prices shot up during the pandemic but have come down a bit in the last year, with the average used car selling for about $31,000, according to iseecars.com.

Luedtke also recommended taking the time to read the fine print on any contracts. The guide goes through the process from start to finish.

"Whether or not you should be looking for financing beforehand, or what dealer financing looks like? What are scams that are common around purchasing a vehicle," Luedtke outlined. "And then also what to do if things go wrong."

In 2022, Americans purchased about 39 million used vehicles. The website Statista projects used car dealers in California will pull in about $11.7 billion in revenue this year.

The federal SNAP program allows nearly 1.3 million Ohio families to put food on the table -- but increasingly, when many recipients attempt to use their card at a store, they are told they do not have enough funds.

At grocery and convenience stores across the state, fraudsters are installing illegal skimming devices capable of reading cards as they are swiped and using the card data to steal money.

Alisha Love, an EBT card user, said she has been a victim of EBT theft more than once. She believes the state and federal government should invest in chip security for SNAP to better protect people relying on the program.

"I haven't even gotten reimbursed for the first one, and I'm working with Legal Aid right now," Love pointed out. "My kids need money to eat. Right now I am using cash, and it is bleeding me dry from all the finances."

The Ohio benefits office recommends SNAP recipients change their pin number immediately after they suspect being scammed and replace their EBT card by calling 1-866-386-3071.

This year, 44 states have reported more than 160,000 cases of fraudulent EBT card transactions.

Phaleys Lopez, an EBT card user, said being scammed prevented her from being able to buy formula for her infant son.

"I always buy the formula for my son with the EBT," Lopez explained. "That specific Gerber, I can only buy it with the EBT or cash. I ask the father of my son to buy some when I can't."

Hope Lane-Gavin, director of nutrition policy and programs for the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, said victims of EBT card skimming typically have no choice but to turn to food banks to feed their families, and pantries are already struggling to keep up with demand.

"These are people who have applied, have followed the rules, have been approved for the benefit, who then got their card and are doing everything normal," Lane-Gavin emphasized. "Everything that they're supposed to do."

EBT card users who suspect they've been scammed can request replacement benefits within 90 days from the date they were stolen, by either mailing or hand-delivering a signed Job and Family Services form to a local county Job and Family Service office. Gavin added a temporary fix allowing victims of EBT theft to receive replacement benefits will expire on Sept. 30, without additional action by Congress.