NACA Honors George Gombossy with 2009 Print Media Award

Nov. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, D.C,-- The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) awarded George Gombossy with NACA’s 2009 Media Award at their annual meeting held recently in Philadelphia, PA.

George Gombossy was the first investigative consumer columnist in the Hartford Courant’s history, and unfortunately, probably its last, as he was fired on Aug. 14, 2009 after refusing to “be nice” to the papers’ major advertisers. For over three years, Mr. Gombossy served as the advocate for Connecticut’s consumers, working with thousands of readers who sent him complaints and tips. His Watchdog columns resulted in more than a dozen state investigations and improved customer service at many local and regional companies. He continues to rattle the chain of big business with his www.CtWatchdog.com website.

During his 40-year career at the newspaper, Gombossy led teams of reporters that won dozens of awards, including the George Polk Award and the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award. He helped the paper win its first Pulitzer Prize.

“NACA is pleased to be able to recognize those who have done outstanding work on behalf of consumers,” commented Ira Rheingold, Executive Director of NACA. “George Gombossy has taken a stand on behalf of the consumers in Connecticut, and we applaud him for his clear voice in promoting consumer’s rights.”

The NACA honors are awarded annually on the basis of  achievements in key NACA issue areas, including all forms of forced arbitration, identity theft, mortgage lending and home equity scams, automobile fraud, unlawful and abusive business and debt collection practices, unfair credit reporting, and abusive practices by financial and credit card institutions.

NACA and its members take an active role in advocating consumer interests before the courts, Congress, and administrative agencies. In filing amicus briefs in a number of leading consumer protection cases, NACA members advocate in support of pro-consumer legislation and policies, and in opposition to the erosion of existing rights.

About NACA
The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) is a nationwide organization of more than 1500 attorneys who represent and have represented hundreds of thousands of consumers victimized by fraudulent, abusive and predatory business practices. As an organization fully committed to promoting justice for consumers, NACA's members and their clients are actively engaged in promoting a fair and open marketplace that forcefully protects the rights of consumers, particularly those of modest means.