Ohio AG says more than $1.3B in debts collected

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio’s attorney general says his office has collected more than $1.3 billion in debts owed to state government offices.

Attorney General Mike DeWine says the debt payments were recovered from 2011 to 2013. His office acts as the collections agent for all state government entities and public colleges and universities. The office then works to get full payment or develop a payment plan with the debtor.

DeWine says collections last year totaled roughly $449 million, compared with almost $454 million in 2012 and close to $461 million in 2011.

DeWine says state agencies have been certifying fewer debts for collection by his office, meaning that fewer bills are going unpaid.

His office has previously launched a program for local governments to get state help in collecting debts owed to them.