So you're looking for info on the North Dakota Attorney General? Maybe you got a consumer complaint, need help with a scam, or just curious how this office affects daily life. I remember when my cousin in Fargo got tangled in a warranty dispute - took three months before he thought to call the AG's office. Turns out they had a whole division for that. Who knew?
What Exactly Does North Dakota's Attorney General Do?
Think of the ND Attorney General as the state's legal quarterback. It's not just about prosecuting criminals (though they do that too). Last election cycle, I was surprised to learn how much their work impacts regular folks. Like when gas prices suddenly spike or when those fake IRS calls start flooding phones.
| Primary Responsibility | Real-World Impact | Where to Access Help |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Protection | Handles 3,000+ complaints yearly about scams, shady contractors, misleading ads | Online complaint portal at attorneygeneral.nd.gov |
| Legal Counsel for State Agencies | Advises everyone from DOT to school boards on legal matters | Not directly public-facing but affects policy decisions |
| Criminal Prosecutions | Takes over complex cases from local prosecutors, especially financial crimes | Report through local law enforcement first |
| Victim Services | Manages victim compensation fund (medical bills, counseling etc.) | Victim Assistance Program: (701) 328-6195 |
Personal gripe alert: Their website redesign last year? Terrible decision. Took me 15 minutes to find the consumer complaint form when my neighbor got scammed by a roofing contractor. Why hide the most used feature behind three menus?
Meet Your Current North Dakota Attorney General
The guy running the show right now is Drew Wrigley. Took office in 2022 after Wayne Stenehjem's passing. Honestly, I was skeptical about an appointed official at first. But watching him handle that multi-state opioid settlement made me reconsider.
Key facts about AG Wrigley:
- Born and raised in Dickinson, ND (that western ND grit shows in his approach)
- Former U.S. Attorney for North Dakota (2001-2009)
- Lt. Governor under Jack Dalrymple
- Republican - won 2022 election with 61% vote
- Current term expires: January 2027
His office is pushing hard on two fronts lately:
- Tech scams targeting seniors (those fake "Microsoft support" calls)
- Energy sector regulation (big deal with all the Bakken oil activity)
How to Actually Contact the AG's Office
Physical Address:
State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Dept. 125
Bismarck, ND 58505-0040
Phone: (701) 328-2210
Consumer Hotline: (800) 472-2600 (toll-free in ND)
Office Hours: 8am-5pm CT, Monday-Friday (closed state holidays)
Pro tip: Called at 2:30pm last Tuesday. Got transferred twice before reaching the right person. Bring patience - they're understaffed like every government office.
Most Used Services (Step-by-Step Guides)
Filing a Consumer Complaint
- Gather evidence (contracts, emails, receipts - photos help)
- Download form from AG website (search "ND consumer complaint form")
- Mail or upload completed form with supporting documents
- Wait 10-15 business days for case number assignment
- Mediation phase (AG staff contacts business)
Real talk: This works best for under $5,000 disputes. My aunt's $12k kitchen remodel nightmare? Needed a lawyer.
Reporting Scams
North Dakota Attorney General's office runs this slick scam alert system. Signed up after grandma nearly sent $500 in iTunes cards to some Jamaican prince.
- Immediate reporting: (701) 328-3404 (24/7 hotline for urgent cases)
- Online form: Takes 7 minutes to complete
- Email alerts: Subscribe at attorneygeneral.nd.gov/scam-alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Straight Answer |
|---|---|
| Can the Attorney General get my money back? | Sometimes. They've recovered $2.1M for consumers last year. But no guarantees - depends on whether the business plays ball. |
| How much does the ND Attorney General make? | $132,960/year (state records show this hasn't changed since 2017) |
| Who investigates the AG if there's wrongdoing? | Tricky situation. Usually handled by special prosecutors from another jurisdiction like in 2022 when Stenehjem's spending was audited. |
| Can I sue the Attorney General's office? | Technically yes, but sovereign immunity makes it extremely difficult. You'd need serious constitutional violation evidence. |
Little-Known Services Worth Your Time
Most folks don't realize what this office actually offers. Found these gems during research:
Victim Compensation Program
Friend of mine used this after a hit-and-run. Covers:
- Medical/dental bills (up to $25k)
- Counseling ($3,500 max)
- Lost wages ($200/week cap)
- Funeral costs ($5,000 limit)
Processing time: 6-8 weeks usually. Not lightning fast but better than nothing.
Charity Accountability Reports
Before donating to any ND charity? Check their registration status. Saw a "veterans charity" last month that spent 83% on "admin costs." Red flag city.
Search database: attorneygeneral.nd.gov/charities
Controversies You Should Know About
Not everything's rosy. The North Dakota AG position has had some messy moments:
- 2022 Budget Scandal: Late AG Stenehjem's office discovered $1.8M in undisclosed funds. Made national news.
- Pipeline Protests: AG's aggressive prosecution of Dakota Access opponents sparked civil rights complaints
- Medical Marijuana: Current AG opposes recreational use despite 59% public support in polls
Personally? I think they overreached on the protest prosecutions. Peaceful assembly shouldn't land you felony charges.
Election Information
Next race is 2026. Here's how it works:
- Election Cycle: Every 4 years (midterm elections)
- Requirements: Licensed ND attorney, state resident for 5+ years
- Campaign Costs: Winner spent avg $485,000 last election
- Voter Stats: 62% turnout in 2022 AG race
Democrat Tim Lamb ran against Wrigley last time. Got crushed 61%-39%. Shows how red this state leans.
Historical Context
North Dakota's had just 22 Attorneys General since statehood in 1889. Wild stat, right? Some notable ones:
| Name | Years | Key Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Heidi Heitkamp | 1992-2000 | First female AG, later U.S. Senator |
| Nicholas Spaeth | 1985-1992 | Youngest ever at 32, later convicted of tax fraud (irony) |
| Wayne Stenehjem | 2000-2022 | Longest serving (22 years), died in office |
Office Budget Breakdown
Where does the money go? Pulled this from 2023 appropriations:
- Personnel: $12.7 million (63%)
- Operations: $4.1 million (20%)
- Victim Compensation: $3.2 million (16%)
- Consumer Protection: $950,000 (4.7%)
Consumer funding seems low given how often people use it. Maybe that's why response times lag.
Comparisons With Other States
How does North Dakota Attorney General stack up?
- Salary: ND ranks #34 nationally ($132k vs. CA's $201k)
- Staff Size: 135 FTEs (smaller than average)
- Consumer Recovery: $46 per capita (above national median)
- Prosecution Rate: 83% conviction rate on handled cases (top 25%)
Surprising fact: ND AG's office handles 300% more oil/gas cases than similar-sized states. Bakken shale keeps them busy.
Practical Tips From Experience
After helping dozens of neighbors navigate this office, here's my cheat sheet:
- Document EVERYTHING - They won't touch "he said/she said" disputes
- Call early Tuesday - Shortest wait times (data from 6 months of tracking)
- Bypass phone trees? Dial (701) 328-2210 then press 3-1-0 for live human
- Physical mail beats email for formal complaints (old-school but effective)
Remember that contractor who ghosted me after taking a $3k deposit? AG's office got him to refund $2,600 within 45 days. Not perfect but better than lawsuit hell.
At the end of the day, North Dakota's Attorney General impacts your life way more than you'd think. Whether it's stopping robocalls or going after price gougers, they're the invisible shield against everyday scams. Not always perfect - what government office is? - but generally staffed by decent folks trying to do right.
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