Latest News
AG Nessel’s FORCE Team Partners with Postal Inspection Service to Combat Organized Retail Crimes
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a partnership between the FORCE Team and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to tackle organized retail crimes that leverage the postal system to conduct their illegal enterprises.
Attorney General Griffin Leads 23-state Amicus in Support of West Virginia’s Abortion Law
After filing an amicus brief on behalf of himself and 22 other state attorneys general in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit supporting West Virginia’s abortion prohibition, Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement:
Attorney General Bird Sues Biden EPA to Block Electric Vehicle Mandate
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined a 25-state lawsuit to block Biden’s latest electric vehicle mandate and stand up for Americans who drive gas and diesel-powered cars and trucks.
2024AG Fitch Leads Bipartisan Coalition Asking SupremeCourt to Reconsider Section 230 Immunity
Attorney General Lynn Fitch led a bipartisan coalition of 23 State Attorneys General in an amicus brief supporting a petition for certiorari by a young man seeking to hold Snapchat accountable for its rolein the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his teacher.
UPDATE: Attorney General’s Office Releases Identities of the Decedent and State Trooper Involved in Fatal Crash in Southampton, N.J., on April 9, 2024
The Attorney General’s Office identified the motorcyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) vehicle on April 9, 2024, in Southampton Township, New Jersey.
Chicago-Area Tax Preparer Sentenced for False Return Scheme
An Illinois woman, Vervia Watts, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for her involvement in preparing and filing false income tax returns for clients. Watts, operating a tax preparation business, filed over 900 fraudulent income tax returns for clients between January 2017 and June 2023. These returns included false education expenses and business income to inflate IRS refunds, totaling approximately $1.3 million.In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins for the Northern District of Illinois has ordered Watts to serve one...
U.S. Trustee Program Cracks Down on Bankruptcy Petition Preparers Exploiting Vulnerable Consumers
Two bankruptcy petition preparers have been prohibited from providing bankruptcy-related services after being found guilty of targeting vulnerable consumers facing foreclosure, thanks to the enforcement efforts of the Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP).In one case, Kafil Hamim Quaiyum Tunsill was permanently barred from acting as a bankruptcy petition preparer in the Middle District of Florida. Tunsill was also fined $12,500 and instructed to refund $1,900 to a debtor. Director Tara Twomey of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees emphasized, "Unscrupulous...
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivered remarks at the ATF's Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors' Summit on April 23, 2024. She expressed her gratitude to all attendees, especially those who have lost loved ones to gun violence, stating, "Your presence honors their memory and fuels our fight for a better, safer future."Monaco acknowledged the courage and commitment of the community gathered at the summit, emphasizing that despite being survivors, advocates, and members of law enforcement from diverse backgrounds, they are bound by extraordinary courage. She highlighted...
Consolidated Nuclear Security Settles False Claims Allegations for $18.4 Million
Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC (CNS) has agreed to pay $18.4 million to settle allegations of timecard fraud involving the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at the Pantex Site near Amarillo, Texas. The settlement comes after CNS was accused of knowingly submitting false claims for work not performed between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton emphasized the government's stance on the issue, stating, “We will not tolerate the misuse of public funds by those who do business with the United States....
Justice Department Reaches Civil Settlement with Victims Abused by Lawrence Nassar
The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a civil settlement with victims of the sexual abuse perpetrated by former physician and USA Gymnastics official Lawrence Gerard Nassar. The settlements are in response to 139 administrative claims arising from allegations of sexual abuse committed by Nassar.Nassar, who was arrested in 2016 by the State of Michigan, had sexually abused hundreds of victims over nearly two decades under the pretense of medical treatments. These settlements aim to address administrative claims against the United States regarding the...
Much of 'usually hungover' plaintiff's case over cost of McD's orange juice tossed
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A plaintiff who testified she is "usually hungover" when she orders McDonald's breakfast will get to try again with a lawsuit over the extra charge for orange juice in combo meals.
Republicans vote to rein in 'rogue' CFPB
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Following a hearing in which Republicans criticized what they feel is overreach by a federal agency, a House committee last week voted to repeal limits credit card companies can charge for late fees.
Limestone Univ. settles claims over hidden camera in locker room
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Anonymous plaintiffs allegedly filmed in locker rooms at Limestone University in South Carolina who then saw the footage on pornography sites have reached a settlement.
Lawsuit: Ferry crash at Disney World dumped man into garbage can
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A visitor to Disney World says a ferry taking him to the park crashed, causing him to sustain injuries and fall into a trash can.
Lawsuit against Boston Housing Authority blames slow response for man's death
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Boston Housing Authority is accused of not responding to an emergency situation for more than an hour, leading to a man's death.
Attorney General Moody Announces Arrest of Two Seminole County Residents for Medicaid Fraud
Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her dismay at the actions of Debora Behnke and Suman Bhattacharjee, who were arrested for their involvement in a Medicaid fraud scheme that siphoned off over $250,000 from the Medicaid program. Moody highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “Conspiring together, these individuals defrauded Medicaid out of more than $250,000." She commended the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies that led to the apprehension of the culprits, emphasizing that the fraudulent scheme has now come to an end.The Medicaid...
Attorney General Moody Honors Victim Advocates and Law Enforcement During 2023 Crime Victims’ Rights Awards Ceremony
Attorney General Ashley Moody highlighted the dedication and commitment of individuals who have gone above and beyond to assist crime victims during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony. Moody expressed her appreciation for the award recipients, stating, “This year’s Distinguished Victim Services Award recipients have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help crime victims through their darkest days. I’m honored to highlight their incredible stories and the vital selfless work they do to help victims.”Among the recipients of the Attorney General’s...
Justice Department Charges Four Iranian Nationals for Multi-Year Cyber Campaign Targeting U.S. Companies
The Justice Department has unveiled charges against four Iranian nationals involved in a cyber campaign targeting U.S. companies, including government entities and defense contractors. Hossein Harooni, Reza Kazemifar, Komeil Baradaran Salmani, and Alireza Shafie Nasab are accused of engaging in a hacking scheme that compromised American organizations, as well as the U.S. Departments of Treasury and State.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Criminal activity originating from Iran poses a grave threat to America’s national...
Attorney General Treg Taylor Joins 24 States Challenging EPA’s Electric Vehicle Mandate
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor has joined 24 states challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring electric vehicles (EVs) to make up 70 percent of sales within the next decade.
Jess Clucas, of Clam Gulch, Convicted for Dozens of Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
On April 16, 2024, at the conclusion of a three-week trial, a Kenai jury convicted 47-year-old Jess Clucas of Clam Gulch of 60 felony counts related to sexually abusing three grade-school age girls living in his home over a fifteen-year period.