Gerardo Orozco Guzman, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Gerardo Orozco Guzman grew up knowing he wanted to help people. Right out of college he landed in the perfect place to pursue his vision: the Office of the Attorney General of Minnesota in its Consumer Action Division.

His ability to speak fluent Spanish has made him invaluable, not only in mediating consumer complaints against businesses, but in helping members of other divisions who need a Spanish speaker.

One of the biggest cases Orozco Guzman worked on started soon after he joined the AG’s office four years ago. He began hearing complaints that a used-car dealership was taking advantage of Spanish-speaking customers by falsely stating that cars were certified in excellent condition; selling customers warranties they never asked for; and targeting advertising to Spanish-speaking prospective customers, all because the dealership knew those customers were less likely than English-speaking customers to pursue the complaint process.

As a result of Orozco Guzman’s research, the AG’s office launched an investigation, which led to a temporary injunction against the dealership’s practices; since then, an appeals court has upheld the injunction, and the case is headed to trial.

Orozco Guzman’s father, retired from working in construction, now works for the Center of Workers United in the Struggle. Orozco Guzman’s mission reflects that commitment to public service.

Since becoming a mediator in 2022, Orozco Guzman has handled thousands of complaints, saving consumers $1.4 million.

In one case, he helped a customer whose electricity was shut off by a utility company because the customer, due to illness and unemployment, was thousands of dollars in arrears. The customer needed electricity to operate an oxygen tank. The company wouldn’t budge, demanding payment. Until Orozco Guzman persuaded the company’s general counsel that, without electricity, the customer might die.

The utility immediately returned power to the customer.

A colleague at the AG’s office says Orozco Guzman has improved the lives of thousands of Minnesotans: “His direct advocacy, critical assistance on investigations, and his expanding outreach to Spanish-speaking communities — all have made him a tireless voice for the voiceless.”