Western Union today asked the Arizona State Supreme Court to review a recent ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals, which overturned a trial court’s decision in Western Union’s favor concerning the ability of the state to seize money transfers sent from states other than Arizona to Sonora, Mexico.

Western Union today asked the Arizona State Supreme Court to review a recent ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals, which overturned a trial court’s decision in Western Union’s favor concerning the ability of the state to seize money transfers sent from states other than Arizona to Sonora, Mexico.

“This case presents important constitutional issues that we believe merit continued consideration by the courts,” said David Schlapbach, Western Union General Counsel and Executive Vice President. “We support and endorse the State of Arizona’s law-enforcement goals. We are also concerned about the constitutional rights of people to undertake ordinary financial transactions without unreasonable government interference. We hope that the Arizona Supreme Court will give these issues the attention they deserve,”

BACKGROUND – The case dates back to September 21, 2006, when the Arizona Attorney General issued a warrant seeking to seize all Western Union wire transfers over $500 sent from 28 states to locations in Sonora, Mexico. Western Union obtained a stay of this warrant in Arizona State Court. After a hearing and trial, the trial court ruled in January 2007 that the seizures were invalid and enjoined the Attorney General from continuing such seizures. In July 2008, the Court of Appeals overruled the trial court. Today, Western Union asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review the matter and uphold the initial trial court decision.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network of more than 355,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.”

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