Legal News Line News
Tennessee AG defends law banning gender transition procedures for minors at Supreme Court
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has submitted a response brief to the United States Supreme Court, defending a state law that prohibits gender transition procedures for minors. The law, known as Senate Bill 1, was enacted by Tennessee lawmakers with the intention of protecting children from what they describe as "irreversible, unproven medical procedures."
Illinois Attorney General files lawsuit against TikTok over alleged harm to youth
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has initiated legal proceedings against TikTok, accusing the company of engaging in harmful business practices that target children and allegedly mislead the public about potential dangers associated with its platform. This action is part of a broader investigation announced by Raoul in March 2022, which seeks both injunctive relief and monetary penalties for TikTok's conduct.
Post-adjudication reparative program group announces October meeting details
The Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group will convene a meeting on Thursday, October 10. The session is scheduled to take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and can be attended by the public through Microsoft Teams.
Coalition sues TikTok over claims harming children's mental health
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have initiated legal action against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of misleading users about its safety and contributing to mental health issues among young people. The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by a coalition of 14 attorneys general from various states, each filing separate lawsuits that allege TikTok violated state laws by falsely claiming its platform is safe for minors.
Consent judgment reached over misuse allegations against Bob Dean Jr.'s nursing homes
Bob Dean Jr. and several companies he owned have agreed to an $8.2 million consent judgment to settle allegations of financial misconduct. The allegations claimed that they violated the National Housing Act of 1934 by misusing assets and income from four nursing homes in Louisiana before and after Hurricane Ida in August 2021. These nursing homes had loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
Vermont AG sues TikTok over alleged exploitation of children through addictive features
Attorney General Charity Clark has filed a lawsuit against TikTok Inc., accusing the company of violating Vermont's Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit, coordinated with 14 other attorneys general across the United States, claims that TikTok uses manipulative design features to engage young users excessively. This legal action follows a similar complaint against Meta Platforms, Inc.
States push for court order on TikTok compliance amid youth mental health probe
Attorney General William Tong has announced intensified efforts to compel TikTok's compliance with an ongoing multistate investigation into its impact on youth mental health. The investigation, which began in 2022, aims to determine if TikTok is breaching state consumer protection laws and contributing to the mental health crisis among children and teens.
Attorneys general sue TikTok over alleged exploitation of young users
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James have spearheaded a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the platform of violating state consumer protection laws. The legal actions, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, allege that TikTok exploits young users and misleads the public about its dangers. The lawsuits seek penalties and other forms of relief to address the alleged misconduct.
Oregon joins states suing TikTok over alleged harm to youth
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has announced that the state is joining a coalition of 14 other state attorneys general in taking legal action against TikTok. The enforcement actions, which will be filed separately, allege that TikTok has violated consumer protection laws by exploiting and harming young users while misleading the public about the platform's dangers.
Washington courts release updated juror orientation video
The Washington Pattern Jury Instructions Committee (WPIC) has released a new Juror Orientation Video, the first update since 2005. This 21-minute video aims to educate prospective jurors about their role in the judicial process and the significance of jury service as a civic duty.
Dual citizen charged over alleged scheme violating US sanctions against Iran
Kambiz Eghbali, also known as Cameron Eghbali, was arrested in Los Angeles following an indictment that charges him and two Iranian nationals, Hamid Hajipour and Babak Bahizad, with violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The arrest occurred after the indictment was unsealed. Bahizad and Hajipour remain at large.
Oakland County doctor pleads guilty to multiple felony charges
Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, a 57-year-old physician from Sylvan Lake, has pled guilty to eight felony counts related to insurance fraud in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. The charges are linked to a fraudulent disability insurance claim and subsequent receipt of payments while continuing her work as a physician. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the plea.
Officials address rise in school threat reports linked to social media
Pennsylvania officials have noted a rise in reports of school-based threats, largely attributed to social media-driven false alarms. Attorney General Michelle Henry, alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, and State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris, emphasized the importance of discerning credible threats from hoaxes.
South Carolina AG sues TikTok over alleged consumer protection law violations
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has initiated legal action against TikTok, alleging violations of state consumer protection laws. This move is part of a larger effort by a bipartisan group of 14 attorneys general who have filed similar actions against the social media platform.
Indiana AG secures $350K restitution against concrete company
Attorney General Todd Rokita has taken action against a home improvement contractor accused of defrauding Indiana homeowners. The contractor allegedly collected significant sums from customers without delivering the promised services.
Attorney General honors North Carolinians with Dogwood Awards
Attorney General Josh Stein has recognized several individuals and organizations from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area with Dogwood Awards for their contributions to the community. The awards highlight efforts in leadership, public service, disaster relief, law enforcement, and community development.
NH Learning Solutions settles $975K false claims suit over GI Bill benefits
The Justice Department has announced that NH Learning Solutions Corp. (NHLS) will pay $975,000 to settle allegations of submitting false claims for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The suit was filed in December 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Justice Department sues LA Fitness over alleged disability discrimination
The Justice Department has initiated legal action against Fitness International LLC, known as LA Fitness, alleging disability discrimination at its gym and fitness clubs. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. It accuses LA Fitness of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates equal access to public accommodations, including gyms and fitness centers, for individuals with disabilities.
Attorney General Stein sues TikTok over alleged harm to children
Attorney General Josh Stein has initiated legal action against TikTok, accusing the company of creating a harmful product for children and misleading the public about its risks. "TikTok knowingly created a product that harmed children, and then it deceived everyone about how dangerous and addictive the product was," Stein stated. He emphasized the importance of honesty in business practices, saying, "It doesn’t matter what you’re selling – you have to be honest about the risks, and you have to follow the law. TikTok failed in both regards, and our children suffer. So, I’m...
Bipartisan coalition urges court action on TikTok evidence amid investigation
Attorney General Chris Carr has joined a bipartisan group of 22 attorneys general to urge a Tennessee court to enforce its orders requiring TikTok to preserve and produce evidence in an ongoing investigation. This multistate probe, initiated in 2022, aims to determine if TikTok is violating state consumer protection laws and impacting the mental health of children and teens.