LEGAL NEWSLINE

Attorney General Ashley Moody is collaborating with the Florida Tax Collectors Association to disseminate crucial information on voter fraud and crime prevention. This initiative will provide Floridians with direct access to resources from Attorney General Moody's office, focusing on fraud detection and crime prevention. Many tax collectors are now displaying materials such as the "Scams at a Glance" brochures, Florida’s voter fraud hotline, the state’s new human trafficking hotline, and an anonymous crime-reporting tip line known as **TIPS.

The North Dakota Courts have announced that the Public Access District Court Case Search and Payment Processing page on their website will undergo system maintenance. This will result in the unavailability of these services from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, October 22nd.

A new job opportunity has been announced for a part-time Juvenile Court Youth Coordinator position. This role involves providing services to youth and their families during their involvement with the Juvenile Court. The position offers flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends, totaling approximately 20 hours per week.

Attorney General Josh Stein has called on major cell service and internet providers to assist residents of western North Carolina who are recovering from Hurricane Helene. Stein urged these companies to provide unlimited data and high-speed internet access, as well as reimburse customers for charges incurred during service outages.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Louis Alfonso Mouhteros, Jr., a 19-year-old resident of West Columbia. Mouhteros faces two charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The Lexington County Sheriff's Department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators conducted the arrest, with assistance from the Attorney General's Office.

The North Dakota Supreme Court has announced the selection of law clerks for the 2025-2026 term, which will begin on August 1, 2025. The chosen individuals will serve a one-year clerkship with the court.

The Justice Department has initiated legal action against Rocket Mortgage LLC, Solidifi US Inc., Maverick Appraisal Group Inc., and Maksym Mykhailyna. The lawsuit alleges that these entities discriminated against a Black homeowner by undervaluing her home based on race during an appraisal required for a mortgage refinance application. Additionally, the complaint claims that Rocket Mortgage retaliated by canceling the homeowner's refinance application after she reported the alleged discrimination.

Attorney General Josh Stein has recognized several individuals from the Triangle area of North Carolina with the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award. This award is given to those who have made significant contributions to improving the health, safety, and well-being of their communities.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has submitted a Petition for Rulemaking to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), raising concerns about potential misuse of ActBlue’s political fundraising platform. The petition highlights the possibility of straw donations being made through false identities and untraceable payment methods.

High school teachers across the United States have the opportunity to request visits from federal judges to their classrooms in December. These visits are part of an initiative to observe Bill of Rights Day on December 15th. The sessions will include a federal judge, an attorney, and a non-attorney court professional.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in a legal initiative to maintain access to preventive healthcare services for Americans. The group filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court, supporting the Biden Administration's defense of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care mandate. This mandate requires private insurers to cover specific preventive services, including screenings for various cancers and cardiovascular diseases, at no cost to consumers.

Judge Alfred Corey from Grand Island and Judge Derek Weimer from Sidney were recently recognized with prestigious awards by the Nebraska Supreme Court. These honors were presented at the court's 2024 meeting in LaVista, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to the judiciary beyond their standard duties.

Ohio peace officers will have access to advanced training courses in traffic safety and impaired driving enforcement at no cost, following the announcement of a new grant by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The grant, totaling $279,750, was awarded by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and will cover six advanced courses offered through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has spearheaded a coalition of 24 attorneys general, submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of maintaining a crucial provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This provision ensures access to preventive healthcare services for millions of Americans. The coalition is urging the Supreme Court to grant certiorari and overturn a lower court's decision that blocks federal enforcement of this provision against certain respondents, which they argue could hinder access to essential medical care.

The North Dakota Office of Attorney General is seeking candidates for the position of Assistant Attorney General. The role, based in Bismarck, ND, offers a salary range between $81,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2024.

Attorney General Tim Griffin has issued a statement highlighting the role of his office’s Election Integrity Unit as early voting commences in Arkansas for the 2024 general election. "Throughout my time in public service, election integrity has been a top priority for me," Griffin stated. He noted that he established the Election Integrity Unit last year to support the existing Election Law Hotline, allowing citizens to report complaints. The unit is tasked with investigating these complaints and has the authority to initiate legal action against those who breach election laws.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is emphasizing the importance of supporting victims of domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Attorney General Josh Kaul highlighted the resources available for survivors and stressed the need for financial backing for victim service providers, especially in light of decreased federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, in collaboration with 50 other state attorneys general, has issued a warning to iDentidad Advertising Development, LLC. The company, also known as iDentidad Telecom, is accused of transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic. "More than just an annoyance, illegal robocalls can result in scams that hurt Michigan residents," said Nessel. She emphasized the importance of holding businesses accountable for their role in these activities.

Marissa Miller has been appointed as the Dodge County Court Clerk Magistrate in Fremont, commencing her duties on October 21, 2024. Sara Fowler, Director of Trial Court Services, stated, "Ms. Miller’s dedication, hard work, and knowledge of the courts will enable her to excel in her new position as Clerk Magistrate."

A Pennsylvania man has been charged with threatening to kill a representative of a state political party involved in recruiting poll watchers. The indictment, unsealed today, accuses John Pollard, 62, from Philadelphia, of sending threatening text messages on September 6 to the victim, referred to as Victim 1. The victim had posted online about recruiting volunteers for Election Day and included their phone number.