Legal News Line News
Attorney General Phil Weiser updates public on Kroger/Albertsons lawsuit
At a news conference Thursday, Attorney General Phil Weiser updated the public on the state’s lawsuit to permanently block the merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons. The trial to decide whether to allow the merger begins Monday.
Florida man charged with threatening primary opponent
An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida and a private citizen who was an acquaintance of his opponent.
Florida financial advisor charged with promoting illegal tax shelter
A federal grand jury in Gulfport, Mississippi, has indicted a Florida financial advisor for promoting an illegal tax shelter, stealing clients' funds, and money laundering. The indictment, unsealed yesterday, accuses Stephen T. Mellinger III of orchestrating a scheme that began in late 2013.
Paxton vows continued fight against firearms ban enforcement
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will continue to defend Texans' right to lawfully carry firearms on land owned or leased by governmental entities. This follows a ruling by the Texas Supreme Court that allows the City of Dallas to assist the State Fair of Texas in enforcing a firearms ban while litigation is ongoing.
Justice Department announces assessment of Hackensack police under collaborative reform initiative
The Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced it will conduct an Organizational Assessment of the Hackensack, New Jersey, Police Department through its Collaborative Reform Initiative. This voluntary program is available to law enforcement agencies seeking to ensure fair and effective policing.
Governor signs bill requiring crime data collection on Indian lands
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2695 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The new law mandates that law enforcement agencies collect data on crimes occurring on Indian lands and report this information to the California Department of Justice. This initiative aims to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis and improve public safety in Indian Country and nearby communities. AB 2695 was authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta.
Attorney General Paxton sues Austin over abortion travel fund
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the City of Austin to stop the city from using public funds to cover expenses for women traveling out of state for abortions.
California enacts law targeting black maternal mortality through implicit bias training
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement following the Governor's signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2319. The bill aims to reduce the maternal mortality rate among Black women and other pregnant persons of color by ensuring the successful implementation of Senate Bill 464 (SB 464), also known as the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act of 2019. AB 2319 is co-sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson, Dr. Akilah Weber, and the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Florida court orders closure of Dexter Bataille's tax prep business
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has issued a permanent injunction against Dexter Bataille, a tax return preparer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The court ordered Bataille to shut down his business, Capital Financial Group Holdings LLC, and barred him from preparing or assisting in preparing federal income tax returns or transferring his customer lists. Additionally, Bataille was ordered to pay $134,400 in ill-gotten gains from his return preparation business. Bataille agreed to both the injunction and the payment order.
Leader sentenced for blocking Tennessee clinic under FACE Act
Chester Gallagher, the leader of a March 5, 2021 blockade of a Mount Juliet, Tennessee reproductive health clinic, was sentenced to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release. This follows his convictions for federal conspiracy against rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act offenses.
California man charged for alleged bomb attack at Santa Maria courthouse
A California man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint for allegedly carrying out a bomb attack at the Santa Maria courthouse, injuring at least five people. Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, faces charges of maliciously damaging a building by means of explosive.
California enacts law increasing penalties for corporate crimes
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released a statement following Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2432 into law. The new legislation allows state courts to impose higher monetary penalties on corporations convicted of criminal offenses, with the resulting funds directed to crime victim service organizations in California. These organizations provide various forms of assistance, including medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, courtroom advocacy, and temporary housing.
Indiana AG requests execution date for cop killer
Attorney General Todd Rokita has requested the Indiana Supreme Court to set an execution date for Benjamin Ritchie, who was convicted of killing Beech Grove Police Officer William Toney on September 29, 2000.
Shipping companies fined $2M for concealing illegal oil discharge
Two corporations that operated the motor tanker P/S Dream — Prive Overseas Marine LLC and Prive Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret — were sentenced in federal court in New Orleans to pay a $2 million criminal penalty and complete four years of probation. The companies pleaded guilty in May to charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS). The court also sentenced the P/S Dream’s Captain, Abdurrahman Korkmaz, on Sept. 10 to eight months in prison for an APPS offense and obstructing the U.S. Coast Guard’s investigation.
Former FAA contractor indicted for acting as agent for Iranian government
Abouzar Rahmati, a former contractor for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been indicted for acting and conspiring to act as an agent of the Iranian government in the United States without prior notice to the Attorney General. Rahmati, 42, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Great Falls, Virginia, made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia.
Justice Department announces settlement with Lima Refining Company for Clean Air Act violations
The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a settlement with Lima Refining Company (LRC), a subsidiary of Cenovus Energy, to address Clean Air Act violations at its refinery in Lima, Ohio.
U.S. Marshals arrest over 3,400 fugitives during Operation North Star
The Justice Department announced that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested 3,421 violent fugitives during Operation North Star FY 2024 (ONS FY24). The arrests included 216 for homicide, 803 for assault, and 482 for weapons offenses.
Justice Department holds roundtable on media's role in MMIP crisis
Senior officials from the Justice Department and Department of the Interior held a roundtable discussion with Tribal leaders, advocates, media members, and federal officials to address the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking (HT). The virtual event was part of the response to recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC), established in November 2023 under the Not Invisible Act of 2019.
Justice Department sues Alabama over alleged illegal voter roll purges
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and its Secretary of State. The suit challenges a state program aimed at removing voters from election rolls too close to the upcoming November 5 general election, which the department claims violates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).
Justice Department announces milestone in policing reform efforts for New Orleans
The Justice Department announced today that it, together with the City of New Orleans, has jointly moved for the city to enter into a two-year “sustainment period” according to the terms of a negotiated plan. This brings the consent decree concerning the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) closer to successful resolution.