LEGAL NEWSLINE

Attorney General Josh Kaul of Wisconsin has taken a stand against predatory lending practices by joining a multistate lawsuit targeting Mariner Finance for violating consumer protection laws. The lawsuit alleges that Mariner Finance engaged in deceptive practices by charging consumers for hidden add-on products without their consent, leading to significant financial harm.According to Attorney General Kaul, the lawsuit accuses Mariner Finance of misleading consumers and adding substantial amounts to their loan obligations through undisclosed fees and premiums. In 2019...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stood firm in defense of Texas's SB 4, the state's new border security law, during the oral argument at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Paxton expressed pride in his office's defense, stating, "Today, my office was proud to defend SB 4, Texas’s new border security law, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit."During the proceedings, Texas argued that the provisions of SB 4 were crafted to align with the legal scope set by the Arizona case. The state also emphasized the inadequacy of federal border protection,...

Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced the arrests of five individuals involved in an organized retail theft ring in Florida. The individuals arrested are Maike Acosta De Armas, Lazaro Santiago Acosta De Armas, Yusser Echemendia Rodriguez, Elias Ramos Hernandez, and Honasi Diaz Santos, all from Miami-Dade County. These individuals are facing multiple felony charges related to organized retail theft.Moody stated, “This criminal group committed more than 53 thefts in 13 Florida counties, stealing thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise in a fraudulent systematic...

Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with a 21-state coalition of attorneys general, celebrated a significant victory as a federal judge blocked the Biden administration's highway emissions rule aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from gas-powered cars. The challenge was brought in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the Federal Highway Administration's rule.Moody expressed her satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, “This court decision is a major victory against Biden overstepping his authority to push a radical political agenda on...

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is looking into an officer-involved death that took place in Beloit, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 16, 2024.During the incident, Sergeant Lewis, a law enforcement officer with 15 years of service, fired his weapon, striking the suspect, Ray Castro, who was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Sergeant Lewis is currently on administrative leave as part of the department's policy.Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Rock County Medical Examiner’s...

Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians about tax debt relief scams as part of the 2024 Tax Season Scam Series. In a statement, Attorney General Moody emphasized the prevalence of these scams and the importance of being vigilant. She stated, “Tax debt relief scams prey on the stress that often accompanies tax season for those who owe the IRS. These bad actors will reach out in any way possible: texts, phone calls, emails, letters—all to try and trick consumers into believing a tax expert is interested in helping them get out of a difficult...

Attorney General Josh Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers have joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in supporting the Biden administration's challenge to Idaho's near-total ban on abortion. In an amicus brief filed in United States of America v. Idaho, the coalition backed the U.S. government's argument that the ban conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Attorney General Kaul pointed out that the ban not only endangers the lives and health of pregnant individuals in Idaho but also has serious repercussions on the health systems of other states. He...

Attorney General Miyares has joined a coalition of 27 states in condemning the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule to expand regulations on liquid waste produced by meat and poultry processing plants in the United States. The expansion of regulatory authority has raised concerns about its potential economic impacts on businesses and consumers, particularly in rural America."The Biden Administration continues to try and find ways to expand its authority by sidestepping Congress and the American people. This latest attempt would cripple small meat and poultry...

Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading a multistate coalition of state attorneys general in investigating whether MSCI, Inc. is supporting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Moody expressed, “Israel is our greatest ally in the middle east, and in Florida, we unequivocally support their right to exist. The BDS movement has one goal, the complete elimination of Israel as a Jewish state. The allegations against MSCI are deeply disturbing and we have called for a quick response from the company’s leadership directly addressing our concerns.”...

Attorney General Miyares expressed his concerns, stating, “Investment companies making political stands with consumers’ money in the name of ‘environmental, social, and governance’ standards is wrong, reckless, and dangerous. Further leaning into those radical policies by embracing the BDS movement and punishing Israeli companies for defending themselves against terrorist attacks is inexcusable.”In August of 2022, 17 state attorneys general sent a letter to Morningstar, a large investing ratings company, expressing “serious concerns related to reports that...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., after reoccurring issues with certain airplane parts provided to Boeing. Spirit AeroSystems, described as "one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes," produces the fuselages for Boeing’s 737 jets. According to reports, manufacturing defects in these parts have led to concerning or dangerous incidents, some of which have occurred during flights.The Texas Business Organizations Code empowers the Office of the Attorney General to...

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has successfully secured a 15-year prison sentence for a human trafficker who brought two women from New York to Florida for the purpose of exploitation. The trafficker, Alan Dixon, along with accomplice Shantell Woods, coerced the victims into sex work by setting payment quotas and using threats of violence.In response to the case, Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed, “This human trafficker brought two women from New York into Florida, who were already trying to flee a violent situation, and then forced...

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - "Ghost gun" sellers who lost a key ruling in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against them are appealing.

A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Identified as Errez Tekel Perry, 30, the individual was apprehended by law enforcement authorities following a search warrant executed on his residence. According to court documents, Perry attempted to evade arrest but was eventually taken into custody by authorities.During the search of Perry's residence, investigators discovered a significant amount of illegal substances and paraphernalia. The recovered items included firearms,...

MADISON, Wis. – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 1050 into law, ensuring continued support for the Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) in Wisconsin through September 2025.Attorney General Kaul praised the OSS's approach, stating, "The Office of School Safety’s proactive and collaborative approach is helping keep kids safe when they’re at school."Governor Evers expressed satisfaction with the bipartisan effort, saying, "I’m glad that we were able to reach a bipartisan consensus to fund these additional positions so the Office of School...

A Richmond man has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Brandon Stephon Brown, 31, was observed by Richmond Police Department detectives on March 22, 2023, approaching a breezeway in an apartment complex. Detectives saw a black handgun fall between Brown’s legs as he reached into his pants. The detectives detained Brown and recovered the loaded handgun, which was later found to be reported stolen."At the time, Brown had four previous felony convictions, including robbery involving a firearm in...

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently looking into an officer-involved death incident that took place in Janesville, Wisconsin on the evening of March 1, 2024.According to the report, the Janesville Police Department responded to a 911 call concerning an armed individual in the 1200 block of N. Parker Street. Officers encountered Andrew Zigler, 52 years old, who refused to exit the residence. Sergeant Jimmy Holford III, a veteran with over 16 years of law enforcement experience, discharged his weapon at Zigler,...

A Big Stone Gap, Virginia man, Joshua Derrick Ellis Vanover, has been sentenced to 107 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Vanover, 35, was found with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in his car after fleeing from police during a traffic stop."Vanover admitted he fled from police because he knew he was wanted, had drugs on him, and did not want to go back to jail," the court documents revealed.United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Craig B. Kailimai, Special...